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Raising & Lowering Cortisol: Why It Matters
If you work out, this is for you.
Under stress conditions, including exercise, we release the steroid hormone cortisol. It regulates a variety of body processes, including metabolism and glucose levels. It also reduces inflammation and blocks immune functions.
Cortisol promotes a feeling of well-being, and having too little brings on fatigue. In excess, though, cortisol can increase weight and blood pressure and lead to heart disease — or even depression due to brain chemical changes it induces.
Cortisol fluctuates with circadian rhythms. Highest levels occur in the morning, lowest levels in the evening.
Meanwhile, the immune response works in reverse. This is one reason it’s been suggested that endurance workouts be done in the morning and high-intensity training in the afternoon or evening. The immune system manages recovery from training, and the thinking seems to be that endurance workouts won’t require much recovery, as compared with high-intensity work.
(Lots to comment on there, but that’s a different post!)
Acute Stress and Cortisol
High levels of cortisol during and after an athletic event serve as anti-inflammatory. They reduce various immune system functions so we can…
