Tim Gouw on Unsplash" />Stressed man sat with laptop.

The stress hormone cortisol plays an essential role in managing the body’s fight-or-flight response but when cortisol levels are elevated, and we’re chronically stressed, it can have an overall impact on our bodies, and this evolves as we age.

Hormonal health expert Mike Kocsis from Balance My Hormones has revealed how we can expect stress to manifest in our bodies as we age, and how to manage our cortisol levels.

How stress impacts young teens (ages 12-16)

Kocsis advises: “This age bracket is famous for hormonal disruption, as the body navigates puberty and significant hormonal changes, and stress and cortisol can interact with these hormonal fluctuations in many ways.”

Skin

Throughout puberty, hormonal fluctuations are in full swing, often resulting in acne and inflammation. Add cortisol and stress into the mix, and this is a recipe for worsened skin.

Kocsis explains: “Cortisol can make breakouts more severe – and frequent – by stimulating sebaceous glands and boosting oil production which clogs pores.

“It also impairs the barrier function of the skin, making it harder to protect against bacteria, and retain moisture, making irritation more likely.”

Sleep

Good sleep is vital for brain development and emotional regulation at this age, with teens needing 9 - 10 hours a night, according to the NHS.

Sleep expert Martin Seeley at MattressNextDay says: “High cortisol suppresses melatonin, the sleep hormone, which delays the onset of sleep, and many teens can experience restless sleep, insomnia, and trouble waking up.

“Bad sleep can lead to bad performance at school and increase anxiety, which can worsen the stress-sleep cycle.”

Digestion

Kocsis warns: “Cortisol alters the gut microbiome which can affect mood as well as the absorption of nutrients, and lead to nausea, bloating, and cramps before stressful events.

“Loss of appetite or emotional eating can become common in times of stress – this can........

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