Puffy face? Cortisol. Belly fat? Cortisol. Bad hair day? Probably cortisol, according to someone selling a powder.
What cortisol actually is
Cortisol is a normal, necessary hormone. It helps you wake up, respond to stress and fuel your body. It's supposed to go up and down. The problem is chronic stress, not cortisol existing.
What actually helps with stress
- Regular exercise (yes, including lifting)
- Sleep
- Time outside
- People you like
- Not doomscrolling at midnight
Our free Recovery Unlocked guide covers stress, sleep and the boring stuff that actually works.