How to lower cortisol: 10 proven ways

Cortisol is designed to help you handle short bursts of stress. But too much of it keeps your body on high alert, which wears it down and affects overall health.

Chronically high cortisol levels can disrupt sleep, increase appetite, and contribute to weight gain - especially around the stomach. It can weaken the immune system, making you more likely to get sick, and it can raise blood pressure, putting extra strain on the heart.

High cortisol can also cause mood changes such as anxiety, irritability, or low mood, and it may lead to fatigue because the body stays in “stress mode” for too long.

Over time, it can even affect memory, slow healing, and interfere with digestion.

The good news? Cortisol levels are highly responsive to lifestyle changes. Here are 10 proven ways to help lower them.

© Patient / Heather Ainsworth

How to lower cortisol

1. Improve sleep

Poor or insufficient sleep can disrupt the natural daily rhythm of cortisol, which normally peaks in the morning and falls at night.

When sleep is disrupted, cortisol may stay elevated in the evening¹ - a pattern linked with chronic stress and a range of health problems.

Getting enough good-quality sleep helps restore this natural rhythm, supporting emotional regulation and allowing the body to recover from stress.²

2. Exercise regularly

Regular exercise can help the body manage stress more effectively. Over time, exercise may lower baseline cortisol levels and improve how quickly the body recovers after periods of physical or emotional stress.³

Exercises such as walking, strength training, and yoga provide a simple, enjoyable way to stay active regularly.

3. Manage stress

Stress-management techniques such as meditation and mindfulness can help reduce cortisol levels and improve stress regulation.⁴

Practicing these techniques helps turn on the body’s ‘rest and digest’ system, which calms the stress response and can gradually lower cortisol levels over time.

4. Connect with nature

Spending time in nature has been shown to lower cortisol and other stress responses such as blood pressure, and heart rate.⁵

This effect may be due to a combination of gentle physical activity, sensory engagement with nature, and reduced mental strain.

Activities such as walking in parks or practising 'forest bathing' have been associated with lower salivary cortisol compared with time spent in urban environments.⁶

5. Stay socially connected

Social support, emotional closeness, and meaningful connections help buffer stress responses and reduce hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation - the system that regulates cortisol release.

Larger social integration and higher emotional support have been linked to healthier daily cortisol patterns, with levels declining more naturally throughout the day.⁷

6. Take herbal supplements

Some herbal supplements known as adaptogens are thought to help the body adapt to stress. One example is ashwagandha, which may influence the body’s stress response and potentially lower cortisol levels.

Adults taking ashwagandha extract have experienced significantly lower cortisol levels after eight weeks compared with those taking a placebo.⁸

7. Limit caffeine

Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, increasing alertness but also triggering cortisol release, especially in sensitive individuals or when consumed later in the day.⁹

Drinking large amounts of caffeine may lead to stronger cortisol responses, so moderating intake can help keep levels more stable.

8. Eat healthily

Eating a balanced diet rich in whole foods, antioxidants, healthy fats, and fibre can support steady energy levels and overall metabolic health.

This may help reduce chronic physiological stress, which in turn can contribute to healthier cortisol regulation.¹⁰

Limiting highly processed foods and excessive sugar may also help stabilise energy and stress responses.

9. Practice slow breathing

Slow, controlled breathing techniques - such as diaphragmatic breathing - have been associated with decreases in cortisol levels and stress markers.¹¹

Deep breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system - which is responsible for relaxing your body after periods of stress, calming the body’s stress response and helping reduce short-term cortisol production.

To practice diaphragmatic breathing, simply breathe in slowly through your nose and exhale through pursed lips.

10. Try music therapy

Listening to relaxing music can promote a sense of calm and trigger the body’s relaxation response. This may help reduce stress and the associated release of cortisol.¹²

For many people, music therapy can be a simple and accessible way to unwind and support stress management.

Certain foods can help your body manage stress and support healthy cortisol levels by reducing inflammation, stabilising blood sugar, and supporting the body’s stress response.

These include:

• Fatty fish – salmon, mackerel, sardines.

• Leafy greens – spinach, kale, Swiss chard.

• Fruits high in vitamin C – oranges, kiwis, berries.

• Wholegrains – oats, quinoa, brown rice.

• Nuts and seeds – almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds.

• Herbs and spices – turmeric, ginger, garlic.

• Dark chocolate – in moderation.

Add these foods to your daily meals for a simple, delicious way to help your body manage stress and maintain healthy cortisol levels.

High cortisol can affect both physical and mental health, causing symptoms such as poor sleep, weight gain, fatigue, anxiety, and a weakened immune system.

Research shows that simple lifestyle changes can help lower cortisol naturally.

The most effective ways to lower cortisol include improving sleep, exercising regularly, managing stress with techniques such as mindfulness or breathing exercises, spending time in nature, maintaining social connections, limiting caffeine, and eating a balanced diet rich in whole foods.

If symptoms continue despite these changes, it’s important to speak with a doctor to rule out underlying health conditions.