Turns Out Having Elevated Cortisol Levels Has Surprising Effect on Appearance

If you're under chronic stress, you may show signs of high cortisol. Symptoms of elevated levels can be insomnia, weight gain, and high blood pressure. However, our bodies also begin to reveal other physical manifestations.

As if not feeling up to par wasn't bad enough, it can also change our looks. See how stress can affect your appearance in this video from June 17:

High cortisol can make us feel anxious, tired, and even more stressed than we already are. It can be a vicious cycle that's hard to break. While we may all be familiar with the weight gain around the middle, sustained stress levels can begin to alter our appearance in other frightening ways, as Gerard (@ ghallfitness ) tells us.

Related: Coach Explains How Cortisol Can Impact Low Appetite and Uncontrollable Hunger

Physical Manifestations of High Cortisol

1. A puffy moon-shaped face.
2. Excess weight around the belly.
3. Dark circles under the eyes.
4. Adult acne. Elevated cortisol levels are also known to make skin more sensitive and reactive.
5. A fatty hump that appears on the back of the neck.
6. Thinning hair.
7. Purple stretch marks.
8. Random bruising.

Ways to Reduce Stress

1. Quality sleep. Gerard suggests creating a relaxing bedtime routine and following a schedule, ensuring we rest for 7-9 hours each night.
   
   
2. A balanced diet. Focusing on fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can help stabilize blood sugar levels. Limiting the amount of sugar and caffeine we consume is also essential.
   
   
3. Regular exercise. Activities like walking, swimming, or yoga are beneficial. He also advises avoiding high-intensity workouts, which can add stress and spike cortisol levels.
   
   
4. Being social and interacting with family and friends. This helps lower our overall stress and, therefore, our cortisol levels.

Although our bodies are designed to handle short periods of stress, extended periods of unrelenting tension can cause long-term problems. According to Columbia Doctors, chronic stress occurs over days, weeks, months, or years. It can be the result of sustained stressors like debt, long-term illness, or being a caregiver. It can also be stressors that repeat frequently, such as complicated relationships, recurring arguments, or challenging commutes. When we stay in a chronic state of stress, it can raise blood pressure and cause irregular heartbeats, making us more susceptible to heart attacks and strokes. It can also increase levels of inflammation in the body, weakening the immune system and making us more vulnerable to illness. This is why learning to manage our difficulties effectively can have long-lasting impacts on our health and well-being.

If you feel these symptoms describe you, seek help from a doctor who can diagnose excess cortisol levels using a saliva, blood, or urine test. It's better to fix these issues early before they lead to more significant problems.

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