"Cortisol is a hormone that increases during any kind of stress, and it acts like an alarm system for your body, helping you handle emergencies. It puts less important bodily functions, like digestion, on hold and slows down how fast your body normally uses energy. But if you're stressed for a long period of time and cortisol levels stay continuously high, it can lead to fatigue, sleep difficulties, and changes in your metabolism, including high sugar in your blood, extra fat around your belly, high blood pressure, higher cholesterol, and loss of muscle strength."

"Elevated cortisol levels can disrupt your sleep, but a balanced cortisol rhythm promotes peaceful rest. By being aware of how stress affects your sleep, you can take proactive steps to manage it, potentially preventing sleep disruptions before they lead to larger health concerns."