The Science of Stress: How Cortisol Impacts Your Body and Mind
By Dr. Miranda Boe, Licensed Psychologist and Wellness Practitioner
Stress is a natural response designed to help you react quickly in dangerous situations. When you experience stress, your body releases cortisol — a hormone that activates your fight-or-flight response. While this response is useful in short bursts, chronic stress keeps cortisol levels elevated, which can disrupt your mood, digestion, energy, and mental clarity.
How Chronic Stress Affects the Body
When cortisol levels remain high for extended periods, your nervous system becomes dysregulated. This can lead to:
Increased anxiety and irritability
Brain fog and difficulty focusing
Muscle tension and physical fatigue
Suppressed immune function
Difficulty relaxing, even in calm environments
Research Insight
Studies show that prolonged exposure to elevated cortisol can shrink the hippocampus — the part of the brain responsible for memory and learning — making stress management critical for cognitive well-being.
TBR Recommendation:
At The Breathing Room, we offer practices that directly influence cortisol regulation and help reset your nervous system. Our breathwork sessions, meditation practices, and sound frequency experiences are designed to calm the mind and promote balance.
