What Cortisol Does to the Body + Why Slow Living Is the Antidote |

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Let me guess: you’re wired at night, exhausted in the morning, craving something sweet or salty at all times, and honestly? You’re kind of over it. You’ve googled “how to stop feeling burnt out,” “natural ways to balance hormones,” and maybe even “is cortisol ruining my life?”

Been there. Bought the adaptogens.

But here’s the thing nobody tells you when you’re spiraling through stress: it’s not just that you’re overwhelmed — your cortisol levels might actually be running the show.

Cortisol is your body’s main stress hormone, and when it’s stuck in overdrive (hello, hustle culture), it can throw off everything from your sleep and mood to your hormones, blood sugar, and yes — even your hair.

The good news? You just need to understand what cortisol actually does, how it gets out of balance, and why slow living (yep, even just little shifts) can bring your body and brain back to baseline.

So if you’re tired of feeling like your nervous system is constantly on fire, grab a cozy drink (moon milk, anyone?) and let’s talk about how to lower cortisol naturally — starting with giving your body the calm it’s been begging for.

What Is Cortisol?

Cortisol is your “go” hormone. It’s made by your adrenal glands and is meant to help you wake up, stay focused, and handle short-term stress. A little cortisol? Totally normal. Super helpful.

But modern life doesn’t do “short-term” stress. It does constant notifications, skipped lunches, doomscrolling at midnight, and always feeling like you’re falling behind.

That’s when cortisol shifts from helpful to harmful.

When you’re living in a constant low-key rush — even if you think you’re “managing it” — cortisol starts staying high all day (and sometimes all night). Your body literally thinks it’s under threat. So it holds onto fat, messes with your sleep, wrecks your mood, and throws your hormones out of sync.

And here’s where it gets interesting…

It’s not just the stress.

It’s your pace. Your rhythm. Your nervous system never getting a break.

Which is why I stopped trying to “hack” my stress…

…and started slowing everything down.

Signs Your Cortisol Is High (And You Might Just Need a Slower Life)

Let’s be honest: most of us don’t realize our cortisol is high. We just assume we’re bad at mornings, too sensitive, or hopelessly addicted to oat milk lattes. (Relatable.)

But cortisol doesn’t always scream. Sometimes it just whispers:

You wake up feeling like you ran all night instead of slept.
You’re snappy, edgy, and overstimulated by… everything.
You crave sugar, caffeine, or salty snacks like they’re emotional support.
You crash at 3pm but get a second wind right before bed.
You feel weirdly anxious doing nothing — like rest makes you nervous.
Your period’s acting weird, your skin’s dull, or your hair feels like it’s shedding more than usual.
You keep thinking, “If I could just get caught up…” (spoiler: you never do.)

These aren’t flaws. They’re signals from your body. Not that you’re broken — but that you’re stuck in survival mode.

But you don’t need another productivity hack. You need rhythm, margin, and exhale energy.
You need meals that aren’t rushed, evenings that don’t involve multitasking, and mornings without chaos.

Your cortisol doesn’t want you to work harder.

It just wants you to feel safe again.

And when your days start to move slower — not perfectly, just more intentionally — your nervous system can finally breathe.

Why Slow Living Actually Helps

Let’s clear something up: slow living isn’t just candles and cozy sweaters (though, yes, we love those). It’s nervous system medicine. It’s hormonal support. It’s cortisol regulation disguised as a gentle lifestyle.

Because here’s the science your burnout forgot to read: Your body doesn’t heal in hustle mode.

It heals in safety.

And slow living = safety, in every possible sense.

Think about it:

Rushing? Tells your body: “We’re in danger.”
Skipping meals? Tells your body: “No resources.”
Multitasking all day? “We’re overwhelmed.”
Overstimulated at night? “We’re not safe to rest.”

Now flip it:

Eating slowly and actually tasting your food → “We’re nourished.”
Morning light, no phone, warm drink → “We’re safe to begin the day.”
A walk instead of a workout → “We’re not being chased.”
Moon milk before bed → “It’s okay to soften now.”

It’s not magic — it’s messaging. And you’re constantly sending signals to your body. Slow living just sends better ones.

So when people say “just relax” and you want to scream… this is the version that works — genuinely regulating your system through presence, rhythm, and gentle rituals.

This is why your cortisol drops when you trade the chaos for calm. Not because you’re doing less, but because you’re finally living in a way your body understands.

How I Started Slowing Down

If the idea of “slow living” makes you nervous… same.

When I first started shifting out of go-go-go mode, I genuinely didn’t know how to be without constantly doing. Sitting still felt like failure. Rest felt lazy. I kept trying to earn my peace instead of living in it.

But burnout has a funny way of forcing you to change. And for me, the first step wasn’t a big life overhaul — it was tiny, doable shifts.

Here’s what I actually did (and still do):

1. I gave my mornings breathing room

No scrolling. No rushing. Just warm lemon water, music without lyrics, and 10 extra minutes to exist before the world asks anything of me. This slow living morning routine is honestly where everything started.

2. I created rituals instead of routines

Routines felt like pressure. Rituals felt like self-respect. Moon milk at night became a sacred little ceremony. Stretching by candlelight? Not “exercise.” Just unwinding.

3. I walked instead of “worked out”

I stopped chasing sweat and started chasing sunshine. Forest bathing didn’t just give me steps—it gave me peace. Slow, intentional walks under trees became my go-to for focus, digestion, and honestly… sanity.

4. I protected my nights like my life depended on it

No catch-up tasks, or emails after 7. Just magnesium, moon milk, maybe a journal or a cozy show, and being done.

5. I stopped trying to be “on” all day

And started giving myself permission to cycle. To ebb. Some days I’m soft and slow. Others I’m focused and fierce. Both are okay. Learning to live with my body—not against it—changed everything, especially when it came to my hormones and hair.

Slow Is the Most Powerful Hormone Hack You’re Not Using

Somewhere along the way, we got taught that slowing down meant falling behind. That rest was indulgent. That softness was weakness.

But the truth is? Slow is strategic.
It’s nervous system regulation.
It’s hormonal repair.
It’s the exact signal your body’s been begging for.

Because when you’re always “on,” your cortisol stays on too. And that stress cascade doesn’t just leave you frazzled — it can wreck your sleep, your cycle, your skin, your energy, your digestion, and yep… even your hair.

Choosing slow is not opting out of life. It’s choosing to live it more fully, more presently, and in a way that actually supports your body’s ability to heal.

Every time you skip the scroll and choose silence…
Every time you walk instead of push…
Every time you light a candle instead of your nervous system on fire…

You’re telling your body: You’re safe now. And in that safety, your hormones can reset. Your energy can rebuild. Your creativity can return.

So no — slow isn’t lazy. It’s wise, regulated, and wildly powerful.

FAQs About Cortisol + Slow Living

What are the symptoms of high cortisol levels in women?

High cortisol in women can show up as fatigue, anxiety, sugar cravings, trouble sleeping, mood swings, hormonal imbalances (like irregular periods or PMS), and even hair thinning. If you feel wired at night but exhausted in the morning, cortisol might be the root cause.

Can slow living help lower cortisol naturally?

Yes — slow living is one of the most powerful (and underrated) ways to lower cortisol naturally. By creating a calm rhythm, eating regularly, moving gently, and resting intentionally, you signal safety to your body. And safety is what tells cortisol it can finally take a backseat.

How do I know if I have a cortisol imbalance?

If you feel like your nervous system is always on edge — you’re snapping easily, craving comfort food, or struggling to rest even when you’re tired — you might be dealing with chronically high cortisol. Many women mistake these symptoms for just “being stressed,” but they’re often hormonal.

What’s the best morning routine for healthy cortisol levels?

A slow morning routine that includes light exposure, a warm drink, gentle movement, and no phone for the first 30 minutes helps regulate cortisol levels naturally. Cortisol naturally spikes in the morning, so keeping things calm and steady helps your body stay balanced.

Does cortisol affect hormones and hair?

Absolutely. Chronically high cortisol disrupts your other hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which can lead to irregular cycles, PMS, and even hair loss or shedding. Supporting cortisol through slow living and adaptogenic herbs is a foundational step in hormone balance.

What foods help lower cortisol levels?

Magnesium-rich foods like pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate, leafy greens, bananas, and avocados help lower cortisol. Herbal teas like tulsi and reishi also support nervous system calm. Eating regular meals (no skipping!) is just as important to keep blood sugar and cortisol in check.

How long does it take to lower cortisol naturally?

It depends on your stress levels and how consistently you support your body, but many women notice shifts in energy, sleep, and mood within a few weeks of adopting slower rhythms, eating balanced meals, and using calming rituals like moon milk or breathwork.

What is moon milk and does it really help with cortisol?

Moon milk is a warm, adaptogen-infused bedtime drink made with plant milk and herbs like ashwagandha or reishi. It’s not just trendy — it’s actually effective for calming your nervous system and supporting healthy cortisol levels before bed. Here’s my favorite recipe.