
03/01/2024
🌅 5 Tips to Help Regulation Morning Cortisol
When in balance, Cortisol follows a natural daily rhythm, peaking in the early morning to help wake you up and gradually decreasing throughout the day to prime your body for sleep. Regulating cortisol and managing stress in the mornings is crucial for our energy level, emotional resilience, cognitive function, sleep-wake cycle, and physical health.
Here are 5 tips to help you kickstart your mornings with balance and energy:
1.☀️Early Morning Light Exposure: Spend time outdoors or crack open a window to allow light into your living space. Exposure to natural light in the morning supports the natural rise and fall of cortisol throughout the day and has been linked to increased alertness, improved mood and better sleep.
2. 💦Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate: Start your day by replenishing your body. Hydration aids in cortisol regulation and ensures you’re ready to take on the day.
3. ☕️Wait 90 Minutes after waking to enjoy Your First Sip of Coffee: Cortisol levels peak shortly after waking up, known as the cortisol awakening response (CAR). This surge is a natural and healthy part of the body’s preparation for the day. Consuming caffeine during this initial cortisol spike might interfere with the body’s natural awakening process.
3. 🍳Balanced Breakfast: Fuel your body with a balanced breakfast rich in protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs. A well-rounded meal sets the stage for stable blood sugar levels and cortisol balance.
4. 🧘🏻♀️Mindful Mornings. Wake up a little earlier so your mornings are less rushed. Rushing triggers the body’s stress response, leading to increased levels of cortisol and stress.
5. 🚫📱Tech-Free First Hour: Give yourself a tech-free zone during the first hour of your day. Resist the urge to check emails or social media immediately upon waking. Allow your mind to wake up gradually.
Try incorporating these tips into your morning routine for a happier, healthier start to the day. 🌈✨