How Exercise Affects Cortisol Levels

  references
  
      Society for Endocrinology: "Cortisol"
    
      Sleep Science: "Interactions Between Sleep, Stress, and Metabolism: From Physiological to Pathological Conditions"
    
      Mayo Clinic: "Chronic Stress Puts Your Health at Risk"
    
      Obesity: "Hair Cortisol and Adiposity in a Population‐Based Sample of 2,527 Men and Women Aged 54 to 87 Years"
    
      University of New Mexico: "The Role of Cortisol in Concurrent Training"
    
      Harvard Health Publishing: "The Truth About Metabolism"
    
      Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology: "The Exercise-Glucocorticoid Paradox: How Exercise is Beneficial to Cognition, Mood, and the Brain While Increasing Glucocorticoid Levels"
    
      Anxiety and Depression Association of America: "Physical Activity Reduces Stress"
    
      American Institute of Stress: "Stress and Sleep – How to Master Stress and Enjoy Restful Sleep Instantly"
    
      Mayo Clinic: "Stress Relievers: Tips to Tame Stress"

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While cortisol and exercise are related, don't go cutting your fitness routine!

Image Credit: Jamie Grill/Tetra images/GettyImages

      Society for Endocrinology: "Cortisol"
    
      Sleep Science: "Interactions Between Sleep, Stress, and Metabolism: From Physiological to Pathological Conditions"
    
      Mayo Clinic: "Chronic Stress Puts Your Health at Risk"
    
      Obesity: "Hair Cortisol and Adiposity in a Population‐Based Sample of 2,527 Men and Women Aged 54 to 87 Years"
    
      University of New Mexico: "The Role of Cortisol in Concurrent Training"
    
      Harvard Health Publishing: "The Truth About Metabolism"
    
      Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology: "The Exercise-Glucocorticoid Paradox: How Exercise is Beneficial to Cognition, Mood, and the Brain While Increasing Glucocorticoid Levels"
    
      Anxiety and Depression Association of America: "Physical Activity Reduces Stress"
    
      American Institute of Stress: "Stress and Sleep – How to Master Stress and Enjoy Restful Sleep Instantly"
    
      Mayo Clinic: "Stress Relievers: Tips to Tame Stress"