Let’s talk for a moment about the belly. You know the one. That soft little pooch that no matter how many crunches and kettle bell raises you do, it’s still there. The one that jiggles when you laugh, and straight-up sasses you in the mirror. And while we might blame tacos (fair), hormones (definitely fair), or that thing where your metabolism jumps on a jet plane after the age of 39, there’s one sneaky culprit that’s probably in your bloodstream right this second…it’s cortisol.

*This post may contain affiliate links

Cortisol: The Stress Hormone that Thinks It’s Helping

So, what is cortisol? It is your body’s natural “oh crap!” hormone. It’s produced in your adrenal glands whenever your body thinks you may be in danger. For instance, you’re walking down a path and a bear pops out and chases you, or you’re giving a presentation at work and your file won’t open and everyone is staring at you. In both instances, your adrenals produce cortisol. The problem is, your body doesn’t know the difference between actual danger and regular every day stressors. That doesn’t sound that bad, right? Wrong. When your cortisol gets high, your belly grows. Like it’s storing snacks for the apocalypse.

Schylling NeeDoh Original – Sensory Fidget Toy – Assorted Colors – Ages 3 to Adult , 1 Count ( Pack of 1)Schylling NeeDoh Gummy Bear – Sensory Fidget Toy with Jelly-Like Filling – 3.5Schylling NeeDoh Nice Cube -Sensory Squeeze Toy with Super Solid Squish – 2.25Schylling NeeDoh Teenie Cool Cat – Sensory Squeeze Toy – Contains 3 Mini Groovy Globs – 1.5

Why Stress = Belly Bloat and Fat Storage

Have you ever heard someone say “my body was in survival mode”? Well, when your cortisol spikes, that’s what is happening. Your body goes into survival mode. It holds onto fat (especially around your midsection), slows down digestion, and cranks up the cravings for comfort foods like carbs and sugar. Basically your body is like, “she’s stressed…let’s give her a protective belly shield!”. Meanwhile, in reality, that’s not helpful AT ALL. Oh but wait, there is more. There is always more. You know how I said it slows down digestion? Well, that slowed digestion messes with your gut bacteria. So now your digestion is off, your bloating is on another level, and you’re not sure if you’re full, hungry, or just emotionally bonded to that loaf of bread.

Gut health and cortisol are BFFs, but in a toxic relationship kind of way.

So, What Now? How Do You Control the Cortisol?

Good news is, you can fight back! First things first, start your day by hydrating before drinking that coffee or energy drink. This helps prevent those cortisol spikes in the morning. Another key thing to do is stimulate the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is a key regulator of things like mood, digestion, inflammation, and…CORTISOL! Effective ways to stimulate your vagus nerve daily are:

1. Breathe Like You Mean It – Deep belly breaths tell your nervous system to chill out. Try a 4-7-8 breath (inhale for 4, hold for 7, exhale for 8) anytime you feel the stress spike.
2. Cold Exposure – Splash ice cold water on your face, take a cold shower, do a cold plunge, or simply place an ice pack on the back of your neck.
3. Humming, Singing, or Chanting – These vibrations activate your vagus nerve via your vocal cords and diaphragm.
4. Grounding (Earthing) – Barefoot on grass, sand, or soil help’s to reset your body’s electrical charge.
5. Laughter – Belly laughing relaxes the body, reduces stress, and directly engages the vagus nerve.

Stimulating the vagus nerve is just one way to help lower the cortisol coursing through our bodies. Moving your body by taking a walk outside in the sunshine is another good way to help lower the stress we are feeling. You can also feed your gut some gut healthy foods. I know we think the peanut butter M & M’s made us feel better, but I assure you, they didn’t.

Allura & Arcia 52 Stress Less & Self Care Cards – Mindfulness & Meditation Exercises – Anxiety Relief & RelaxationBoxer Gifts Calma Llama Stress Relief Toy | Unique Stress Balls for Adults & Teenagers – Animal Squishy Fidget Toys for Anxiety – Cool Desk Accessories | Cute Stocking Stuffer Llama GiftsMindsight ‘Breathing Buddha’ Guided Visual Meditation Tool for Mindfulness | Slow Your Breathing & Calm Your Mind for Stress & Anxiety Relief | Perfect for Adults & Kids | Relaxing Self Care Gift550pcs Ferrite Putty, Fidget Toys, Fidget Toys Adults, Desk Fidgets Toys for Office Stress/Anxiety Relief ,Adults Gifts

My Cortisol Busting Trifecta Plan

Not too long ago, I was introduced to Plexus. I was a little skeptical at first, but as I started reading more about it and reading about the importance of gut health, I decided to jump aboard. Let’s face it. I’m 44 years old, well on my way through perimenopause, and stuck on a major weight loss plateau. What did I have to lose? Plus, I had heard a lot about cortisol and figured mine was high. So, I decided to get the Plexus Triplex system a try. Boy am I glad I did. The bloating I woke up with daily, that I thought was just because I was now 44, is gone. I feel good. My brain fog is gone. I learned that my stubborn, bloated, and just plain mad at the world belly was not because of my age or the number of calories I was eating. It was because of this drama queen hormone living rent-free in my bloodstream messing up my digestion and gut health.

But don’t worry! I’m wiser now. Smarter. Sassier. And best of all, I am fully capable of showing stress who the real boss is. Whether I’m belly laughing my way through the day, standing barefoot in the sun, I’m definitely taking my Triplex and having a much calmer day. If this sounds like something you would be interested in learning more about, drop a note in the comments and I’d be happy to reach out!