7 Things You Didn’t Realize You’re Doing Because You’re High Cortisol Addicted

Sometimes your autonomic nervous system becomes dysregulated, leaving you in a state of chronic stress with uncomfortably high cortisol levels. You may not even realize how stressed you are, but your body always feels it and shows it through various behaviors.

Insomnia coach and content creator Meredith Louden helps people tackle their insomnia, overactive mind, and anxiety by suggesting helpful tips and tricks. She recently shared a video highlighting some of the common signs that indicate a stress addiction.

“Chronic stress, also known as high cortisol, can wreak havoc on your mind and body,” Louden explained. “These are the ‘subtle’ symptoms that your body is asking for help!”

According to an insomnia coach, here are 7 things you didn’t realize you were doing because you’re addicted to stress.

1. You think of things to do as soon as you sit down

If you find that by the time you finally sit down to take a break, your mind is filled with endless other tasks that you need to do, this is an underlying stress addiction.

RELATED: What Happens to Your Body When You Ignore Stress for Too Long

You likely struggle to allow yourself to rest, and your mind often races through all the tasks you need to complete, whether urgent or not.

These restless habits hurt you physically, mentally and emotionally. This behavior is due to a common brain pattern in which the emotional and fear centers of the brain are overactive, causing you to force yourself to keep busy to distract your mind from anxious thoughts.

2. You struggle to fall asleep and wake up throughout the night

You may have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep for a myriad of reasons, from your diet and caffeine intake to your bedtime routine. However, an overactive nervous system also contributes to a lack of restorative sleep. Your mind may be “tired but connected” before bed, inhibiting your ability to get the rest you desire.

In a separate video, Louden offered tips for getting rid of insomnia naturally. He informed people that the brain already knows how to sleep: they need to train their mind to go from an active state to a more relaxed state by awakening the neural pathways in their brain that allow them to wind down at night.

3. Without a sense of urgency to get things done quickly

Whether you’re doing the laundry, cooking, or washing the dishes, you may feel pressured to complete tasks as quickly as possible, further enhancing the hyperactive state of your sympathetic nervous system.

We all want to end these dreaded tasks. However, it’s important to remember that the only way to calm your nerves is to physically slow down.

When you find yourself engaging in this behavior, remember that there is no rush, despite how you feel. Take a deep breath, slow down and make sure everything will be done on time.

4. Constantly check your phone for notifications

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Another sign that you are addicted to stress is checking your phone compulsively.

Because our brains release dopamine when we check our phones, we feel motivated to take action. However, this release of dopamine is temporary and leads to a low, causing a need for more dopamine, resulting in a constant cycle of checking our phones.

This can become an unhealthy obsession, depleting our natural dopamine, especially when certain notifications and emails cause additional stress or anxiety.

RELATED: 8 Innocent Mistakes That Keep You Stressed and Anxious

5. Everything always feels rushed

If you often feel rushed and overwhelmed when getting dressed and trying to leave the house, chances are your sympathetic nervous system is stuck, making simple tasks feel stressful.

This sense of unnecessary urgency only adds more stress to your life, but you can change that. If you’re always running late, consider ways to avoid it, such as setting earlier alarms to give yourself more time for a leisurely morning routine. This, in turn, will help you feel restored and recharged during the day, keeping you productive without the need to rush.

6. You feel guilty for not being productive

Experiencing guilt over a lack of productivity, or “productivity shame,” is a familiar experience for many. After training your mind to fit a busy work and family schedule, once you finally get some quiet time, you may not know how to relax and unwind, probably because of a mind hyperactive

Remember, your worth is not determined by how much you accomplish in a day. Without proper rest, stress will only get worse, so taking time to decompress is actually incredibly productive.

7. Flat programs every weekend

Making weekend plans, like going to a yoga class, going to the grocery store, or having lunch with a friend, obviously isn’t inherently bad. But we all need an occasional day without plans.

This can be especially difficult for those who prefer a routine schedule to get things done, but some days are just meant for rest. Even if you feel guilty about having a day without doing anything, it will restore your energy and increase your productivity for the week ahead.

As a result, a well-rested brain is better able to focus, process information, make smart decisions, and think creatively without the added stress weighing you down.

Untreated stress is harmful to your mind and body.

According to Yale Medicine, chronic stress manifests as insomnia, aches, lack of energy, clouded thinking, emotional withdrawal, and increased alcohol and drug use. It can also interfere with productivity and relationships and even lead to heart disease, addiction and other mood disorders.

So, if you find yourself engaging in the behaviors listed above, make an effort to regulate your nervous system through exercise, meditation, a healthy diet, and other stress-reducing skills. Remember not to take yourself too seriously, as everything in life is temporary, and taking the present moment for granted would be a waste.

RELATED: 31 small habits that help you magically relax

Francesca Duarte is a writer for YourTango’s news and entertainment team based in Orlando, FL. Covers lifestyle, human interest, adventure and spirituality topics.