4 Tips to reduce stress

April 6, 2020

Massage activates the body by decreasing the stress hormone cortisol, which is released by the adrenal glands. It’s important for helping your body deal with stressful situations , as your brain triggers it’s release in response to many different kinds of stress. When cortisol levels are too high for too long this hormone can hurt you more than it helps. Massage flushes out the cortisol from the blood flow and replaces it with positive endorphins, serotonin and dopamine. This decreases stress and increases relaxation. The benefits of massage demonstrates that it is an effective treatment for reducing stress, pain and muscle tension. Eating a healthy carb diet helps to regulate blood sugar levels and improves your sleep. If cortisol is high, insulin is low. Having a healthy carb diet in the evening spikes your insulin and lowers your cortisol. This helps you relax and prepare you for bed and a restful sleep.

High levels of cortisol over time can cause the following:

  • Weight gain
  • High blood pressure
  • disrupt sleep
  • negatively impact mood
  • reduced energy levels
  • diabetes type 2
  • infections

How to lower cortisol levels:

  • Sleep – length and quality. (night shift workers sleeping during the day cortisol levels increase.
  • Exercise- mild to moderate decreases cortisol at night
  • Relax
  • Healthy eating

Surfcoast massage has developed techniques over the years to help with stress and calm the body into a state of relaxation. Call Lisa to make an appointment and discuss your treatment plan. Surfcoast massage is located in Jan Juc and can be contacted on 0438668878.