The primary stress hormone is Cortisol. The adrenal glands release it. Way back in the day, stress and a boost of Cortisol was a good thing. It helped us get out of a dangerous situation or made us hyper-aware of our surroundings. It had the chance to subside when the danger was over. However, in today’s world, we have a constant flow of Cortisol in our bodies, and it has nowhere to go. Elevated levels of this hormone can lead to high blood pressure, cause you to gain weight, negatively affect your mood, disrupt your sleep, and reduce your energy levels.

Adding in a daily meditation or mindfulness session can help you start your day off with a clear mind, reduced heart rate, and reduced stress levels. Starting meditation practices is not easy; it takes time to clear the mind and keep it focused on the meditation and not wonder about the million other things you need to get to that day. There are so many apps available to help guide you if you choose to do it at home and not at a studio or gym.

Waking up on the right side of the bed is a choice you can make every day. Happiness is a decision you can make. Studies have shown that material goods only give you temporary joy. In contrast, experiences, helping people and animals with no expectation of anything in return, or making a decision to be content with what you have and not try to keep up with the neighbours, are great ways to ensure your contentment. If we had to look at Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, self-actualization is what we should all be aspiring to, not trying to be the next Tik Tok star.