Today I will continue to look at insomnia and possible ways to correct the body’s circadian rhythm by focusing on balancing cortisol levels.
As you know our circadian rhythms are responsible for our sleep and wake cycles. Cortisol is responsible for the waking part of our circadian rhythm. Normal cortisol levels decrease during the day becoming lowest between 10:00 pm and 11:00pm. Then cortisol levels slowly rise during the night to wake you out of sleep. The hormone cortisol is also responsible for many other functions in the body besides sleep. Cortisol is most commonly known as a response to acute or chronic stress - mental emotional or physical. Cortisol is used to increase blood pressure, increase blood sugar, or suppress the immune response. Cortisol influences your electrolyte balance, your trace mineral balance, it impacts bone health and water retention and release. As a result of cortisol being responsible for so many functions it is easy to cortisol to become imbalanced. The imbalance of cortisol then can impact your sleep.
In my practice I have started to recommend saliva testing to check the patients hormonal levels and their neurotransmitter levels before creating a treatment plan for the patients. If I find that the cortisol levels are imbalanced I create a two-part treatment plan. The first part of the treatment plan requires nutritional supplement to balance the cortisol levels enough to restore the circadian rhythm and the cortisol levels. The second part of the plan is to treat the underlying cause that created the cortisol imbalance in the first place. Some of the most common cortisol imbalances are derived from patient’s inability to appropriately manage mental or emotional stress, skipping meals or blood sugar imbalances, or cortisol-based medication. In this fast paced society it is easy to get “stressed out” about anything from traffic to work deadlines. When we skip meals or eat highly processed meals our body releases cortisol to compensate for the lack or appropriate nutrition. When we get “stressed out” what we are really saying is we are releasing cortisol into the blood stream if this is happening often daily it will begin to affect our cortisol levels and eventually our circadian levels. Creating stress management techniques that you incorporate into your daily routines are a key part to resolving cortisol imbalances. Example of stress management techniques include exercise, meditation, a whole food eating regiment, yoga, journaling, talk therapy, breathing techniques etc.
Cortisol levels are just one part of a balanced circadian rhythm and restful and restorative sleep. Quality sleep requires balanced melatonin levels along with great sleep habits as well.
Live Vibrantly,
Dr. Dae
Dr. Dae's website: www.healthydaes.org
Dr. Dae's book: Daelicious! Recipes for Vibrant Living can be purchased @ www.healthydaes.org
Dr. Dae's Bio:
“Dr. Dae" (pronounced Dr. Day) Daemon Jones is a Naturopathic Physician who completed her training at the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine. She is certified as a General Practitioner by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE). Dr. Dae provides tailored treatment to meet the unique needs of every individual she sees in her practice. She also provides specialized support for persons challenged by nutritional deficiencies, weight problems, hormonal and reproductive system disorders, attention deficit disorder and those experiencing chronic diseases. Dr. Dae is an adjunct faculty member for Smith Farm Center for Healing and the Arts. She is the author of Daelicious! Recipes for Vibrant Living. Dr. Dae is a featured chef with www.myfoodmyhealth.com. Dr. Dae is a regularly featured writer for the Elite GoogleNews Website empowher.com where she shares her personal and professional vision for living whole and living well. To learn more about Dr. Dae, her products and services, please visit her on the Web at www.Healthydaes.com.