We tend to think of cortisol as the stress hormone and worry that our levels are unhealthily raised by the unrelenting pace of modern life. But is our framing of this essential hormone all wrong? That’s the view of Dr. Erin Kinney, a U.S.-trained physician turned naturopathic doctor known as the Stress Reset Expert to the thousands who have sought help at her clinic. She argues that instead of worrying about having too much cortisol, we should be making sure our reserves of this vital energy hormone don’t run too low.
“Yes, when cortisol gets too high, it can cause a problem,” Kinney says. “But it is the hormone your body uses to generate energy, handle stress, heal and perform at its best.” Cortisol regulates our circadian rhythm, acts as a natural anti-inflammatory, supports brain function and helps manage blood sugar. When it becomes depleted, Kinney says, issues such as exhaustion, insomnia, migraines, bloating, mood swings, weight gain, loss of libido and joint pain can arise.