We all know stress wreaks havoc on our heads, but did you know it can also wreak havoc on our bodies?
Say hello to cortisol, the hormone released when stress hits, triggering that familiar “fight, flight or freeze” response. Produced by the adrenal glands, cortisol also helps regulate blood sugar, blood pressure and immune function.
But while cortisol is helpful in short bursts, too much of it can create a number of physical problems. Fitness guru Liz Tenuto (@theworkoutwitch) recently took to TikTok to reveal 10 surprisingly specific signs that your cortisol levels may be through the roof, all thanks to stress.
Eye twitching
Typically harmless, eye twitching is often the first physical sign that stress is taking its toll.
Because the muscles around our eyes are small and weak, they are the “first responders” to elevated cortisol levels. When cortisol rises, it acts as a stimulant (think: caffeine), causing muscles to contract or spasm involuntarily.
Bloating
Remember the “moon face”? TikTok took things by storm last year, with beauty influencers warning that facial puffiness could be a sign of high cortisol levels.
While cortisol has its benefits, too much of it can disrupt the body’s salt and water balance, leading to fluid retention and bloating.
In rare cases, facial swelling can also be a sign of Cushing’s syndrome, when the body produces too much cortisol.
But it doesn’t just affect your face – elevated cortisol levels can also reduce blood flow to the digestive system, disrupting gut function and gut bacteria. The result? Poor digestion, excess gas and more bloating.
Occasional bruising
If you notice unexplained bruising, it could be a sign that your cortisol levels are too high.
Elevated cortisol levels can weaken the structural proteins in the skin, making the skin thinner and more fragile.
Too much cortisol also weakens the walls of small blood vessels, making them more prone to damage and bleeding, even from minor trauma.
Hair loss
Chronic stress can also affect your hairline.
Research has shown that elevated cortisol can lead to hair loss by forcing follicle stem cells into a prolonged resting phase, preventing new hair growth.
Additionally, when the adrenal glands focus on producing extra cortisol, they produce less of the hormones that support healthy hair growth, such as testosterone and estrogen. This hormonal imbalance can contribute to hair thinning.
Deterioration of vision
High levels of cortisol can put your vision at risk.
When cortisol rises, it can disrupt blood flow from the eye to the brain, leading to possible vision problems. Elevated cortisol can also increase the pressure inside the eye, which, over time, increases the risk of developing glaucoma – a serious, sight-threatening condition.
That’s not all. Hormonal changes caused by high cortisol are also associated with dry eyes, blurred vision, and increased sensitivity to light.
Brain fog
Struggling to focus? High cortisol levels may be to blame.
Chronic stress sends cortisol levels through the roof, which can interfere with brain regions responsible for memory, focus and decision-making. As a result, you may find it harder to concentrate, remember information, or think clearly.
But it doesn’t stop there. Elevated cortisol can also throw off the balance of other key neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, further impairing cognitive function and making you feel mentally foggy and overwhelmed.
Tinnitus
That ringing in your ears may not just be an annoyance—it could mean your stress levels are too high.
Elevated cortisol can disrupt the auditory system, affecting blood flow, nerve function, and inflammation—all of which can contribute to tinnitus, which is when you hear sounds like ringing, buzzing, or hissing without an external source.
The tricky part? Tinnitus can increase stress and anxiety, creating a vicious circle. The more stressed you feel, the worse the ringing becomes, which, in turn, increases stress levels and causes cortisol levels to rise even more.
Extreme temperatures
Have you ever experienced sudden hot flashes followed by a chill? High cortisol may be to blame.
When cortisol levels rise, they can mess with how the brain responds to estrogen, causing hot flashes — even if your estrogen levels are perfectly normal. While hot flashes are usually associated with hormonal imbalances, stress-induced cortisol changes can mimic the same effect.
But it doesn’t stop there. Fluctuating cortisol can also cause cold flashes as your body shifts blood flow to vital organs and away from less critical areas like the skin and stomach, causing that chilly feeling.
Unexplained chest pain
If you are experiencing chest pain, stress can contribute to it.
High levels of cortisol can raise blood pressure, narrow arteries and disrupt heart rhythms, which increase the risk of chest discomfort.
Additionally, anxiety or panic attacks, both caused by high cortisol, can cause chest pain that feels remarkably similar to a heart attack.
Fatigue until 15.00
Hit the wall by mid-afternoon? It might not just be your schedule—it might be your cortisol rhythm that’s throwing you off.
Cortisol naturally peaks in the morning to help you wake up and stay alert, then drops in the evening to signal that it’s time to sit down. Constant stress completely throws off this natural rhythm.
As a result, your adrenal glands can become overloaded as they try to maintain adequate cortisol production. This means your cortisol levels can rise at the wrong times – or fall when you need energy most – leaving you sluggish, mentally foggy and struggling to get energy through the rest of the day.
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Image Source : nypost.com