DECREASE STRESS
& CORTISOL LEVELS WITH TOUCH
By: Jamie Sharpe

Stress affects your brain by releasing powerful chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. One of these neurotransmitters is the hormone cortisol, often referred to as “the stress hormone”. While cortisol regulates and mobilizes energy, if we have too much of it, it produces a number of negative side effects. It can cause depression, headaches, high blood pressure, obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety, and several other medical conditions. Cortisol is an anti-inflammatory hormone. Because of diet, the excessive use of over-the-counter drugs, and other lifestyle factors, many people have internal inflammation within the body.

High levels of cortisol and stress can also have negative effects on the skin. The production of free radicals increases and breaks down cells leading to premature aging. During stress, the skin is the last tissue to receive nutrients because the blood supply is being routed to the vital organs. The rate at which skin cells shed off slows down and gives skin a dull appearance. The body’s fluids are depleted, leaving the skin dry and dehydrated.

Reduce cortisol levels naturally:
Massage and touch.  Touch increases levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin. It decreases levels of cortisol . Healthy, balanced levels of serotonin produce a calm, general sense of well-being. Dopamine assists the human body with mood, attention, learning, and sleep. Oxytocin produces feelings of calm and contentment.

Meditate. Meditation is a proven way to relieve stress. Take a few moments out of your day to light a candle, just sit and clear your mind, or do deep breathing techniques. Meditation calms the senses and reduces stress in the body, and in turn reduces cortisol production. Try a simple yoga pose while meditating to allow energy to flow freely throughout the body.

Exercise. Regular exercise produces endorphins . These are the body’s “feel good” hormones, which reduce stress.