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🧠 Stress & Hormones: The Hidden Tug-of-War Inside Your Body
By Dr. Shruthi Thennati | Kayakalpa Clinic, Vadodara
“I’m just a little stressed,” we often say — without realizing that stress silently rewires our hormones, metabolism, and mood.
Whether it’s work pressure, emotional strain, or even constant multitasking, chronic stress has a way of tipping your inner balance off — one hormone at a time.
⚡ What Happens When You’re Stressed
Your body was designed for short bursts of stress — to escape danger or react quickly.
But modern stress is different. It’s not lions and tigers anymore — it’s deadlines, screens, bills, and sleepless nights.
When stress becomes constant, your adrenal glands (tiny organs above your kidneys) start overproducing cortisol, the “stress hormone.”
Initially, cortisol helps you stay alert.
But when it stays high for too long, it causes chaos:
- Raises blood sugar → leading to insulin resistance
- Increases appetite → especially for sugar and carbs
- Disrupts sleep and melatonin
- Imbalances sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone)
- Triggers anxiety and fatigue
This cascade affects everything — your metabolism, menstrual cycle, thyroid, and even your gut health.
💡 The Stress–Hormone Connection
Here’s how stress quietly messes with key systems:
| Hormone | What It Does | What Stress Does |
|---|---|---|
| Cortisol | Manages energy and alertness | Stays high → fatigue, anxiety, weight gain |
| Insulin | Balances blood sugar | Becomes resistant → belly fat, diabetes risk |
| Thyroid hormones | Controls metabolism | Slows down → low energy, cold hands, weight gain |
| Estrogen & Progesterone | Regulate menstrual cycle | Go off balance → PMS, irregular periods, PCOS |
| Testosterone | Supports muscle, motivation | Drops → fatigue, mood dips, low libido |
Rebalancing Your Stress Hormones Naturally
At Kayakalpa Clinic, we believe managing stress isn’t about ignoring it — it’s about building resilience.
Here’s how to start resetting your body:
Deep breathing or meditation – just 10 minutes daily reduces cortisol.
Regular movement – walking, yoga, or strength training help regulate insulin and mood.
Balanced meals – include protein, fiber, and healthy fats in every meal.
Sleep discipline – aim for 7–8 hours of regular, restorative sleep.
Cut caffeine and screens post 7 PM – let your nervous system unwind.
Seek support – sometimes talking to a physician or counselor helps break the stress loop.
When to See a Doctor
If you’re constantly feeling:
- Tired even after rest
- Craving sugar or caffeine
- Gaining weight around the belly
- Experiencing mood swings or irregular periods
…it may not be “just stress.” It could be a hormonal imbalance triggered by stress.
At Kayakalpa Clinic, Vadodara, we use a root-cause approach — assessing cortisol, thyroid, insulin, and reproductive hormones — to design a lifestyle plan that helps your body recover balance naturally.
You can’t remove stress from life — but you can retrain your body’s response to it.
Every deep breath, mindful meal, and good night’s sleep is your way of telling your hormones:
“You’re safe now. You can relax.”
📍 Kayakalpa Clinic, Old Padra Road, Vadodara
🌐 Visit: www.kayakalpa.in