And I don’t mean whether you could bust a move (I’m sure you could).
I’m talking about cortisol rhythm.
Without a firm rhythm in place, we can feel the imbalance!
It is naturallylowest before bed1allowing us to wind down into a rest-and-repair phase.
For example,obesity,digestive problems,anddiabetes, have been linked to disturbances in cortisol rhythm.
It’s actually shockingly simple.
It does, however, require a commitment to reclaiming rhythm in your life.
But who doesn’t want that?
Here are six simple steps to resetting your cortisol rhythm and with it your adrenal stress response.
Reset your sleep schedule.
How much sleep do you need?
Is bedtime and wake time important?
What’s the No.
1 disrupter of sleep for most women right now?
From what I hear at my practice, it’s using electronic devices in the hour before bed!
So the most important recommendation for resetting your sleep and cortisol?
A digital detox each night in the hour before sleepno smartphone, Kindle, or iPads.
Do “old-fashioned” things like read a real book (with pages!
When done consistently, this step alone can transform your life.
What if I work nights?
This is a tough situation because working nights is inherently harder on your adrenals.
In fact,light spectrum is part of what helps keep it in balance5.
Can’t get natural light in the morning because of your work schedule or where you live?
Try light box therapy instead.
And then follow the digital detox in the evening.
Eat the right foods, at the right time.
Reset after work and before dinner.
My personal favorite is a solo dance party (no judgments here)!
But a shower, brisk walk, yoga session, and playing with your kids all work too!
Avoid caffeine and alcohol later in the day.
Chronic inflammation is huge trigger of cortisol imbalances.
