This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links
Chronic stress is more than just a mental burden; it wreaks havoc on your hormones, sleep, digestion, and metabolism. If you’re feeling wired and tired, craving sugar like crazy, or waking up at 3 AM with your mind racing, it might be time to look at your cortisol levels.
Cortisol is your body’s primary stress hormone, and when it stays elevated for too long, it can throw everything out of balance. The good news? You can absolutely support healthy cortisol levels—naturally—with the right foods, teas, and daily rituals. Here’s your ultimate cortisol-lowering wellness shopping list, curated with our favorite organic teas, nourishing foods, and gentle tools for nervous system support.
1. Drink Adaptogenic + Nervine Herbal Teas Daily
✨Add to cart: The Cortisol Tea Bundle
Adaptogens like tulsi and ashwagandha help your body adapt to stress, while nervine herbs like lemon verbena and skullcap soothe frazzled nerves. Our Cortisol Tea Bundle includes a Daytime Tea (for calm energy and inflammation support) and an Evening Tea (for sleep and nervous system repair). Instead of reaching for another supplement, sip your way to lower stress.
🛒 Also, grab a tea infuser mug to make this ritual effortless.
2. Focus on Protein & Healthy Fats at Every Meal
✨ Add to cart: Wild-caught salmon, pasture-raised eggs, avocado, chia seeds
Your blood sugar and cortisol are more connected than you think. Starting your day with a high-protein, high-fat breakfast (instead of just coffee) helps stabilize your energy and mood. It also reduces the mid-afternoon cortisol spike that has you craving sugar and reaching for caffeine.
🛒 Consider a protein powder made with clean ingredients to add to smoothies or oatmeal.
3. Protect Your Circadian Rhythm
✨ Add to cart: Blue light-blocking glasses
Cortisol is supposed to rise in the morning and fall at night. But modern life (screens, late nights, artificial light) can flip that cycle and leave you feeling wired at night and groggy in the morning. Tools like blue light-blocking glasses in the evening can help restore your natural cortisol rhythm.
🛒 Optional add-on: Magnesium to relax at night
4. Get Outside Whenever Possible
✨ Add to cart: Picnic blanket, comfy walking shoes
Spending time in nature—even just 20 minutes a day—has been shown to significantly reduce cortisol levels. One 2019 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that time in a natural setting lowered salivary cortisol by nearly 21%.
Whether it’s journaling under a tree, taking your lunch outside, or walking in the park, your body needs that reset.
🛒 Pro tip: Keep a cozy outdoor blanket or portable picnic mat in your car for spontaneous “nature breaks.”
5. Gentle Movement (Not Just Hardcore Workouts)
✨ Add to cart: Yoga mat
High-intensity workouts can spike cortisol—especially if your body’s already stressed. Swap some of your HIIT for calming movement like yoga, walking, or stretching. It supports your lymphatic system, improves mood, and helps regulate your hormones.
🛒 This mini trampoline is the perfect treat for your lymphatic system.
6. Replace Your Afternoon Coffee With Herbal Tea
✨ Add to cart: Cortisol Daytime Tea
Caffeine in the afternoon can disrupt sleep and overstimulate cortisol. Instead, reach for caffeine-free teas like our Cortisol Daytime Tea, which includes rooibos, tulsi, and lemon verbena to give you focused energy without the crash or anxiety.
🛒 Keep a stash at work and brew over ice for a refreshing pick-me-up.
7. Heal Emotional Stressors + Thought Loops
✨ Add to cart: guided emotional support journal, mindfulness affirmation cards
Mental stress can spike cortisol just as much—if not more—than physical stress. Rumination, overthinking, and unresolved emotional patterns keep your body in a chronic fight-or-flight state.
Daily practices that help:
-
EFT (emotional freedom technique) or tapping
-
Journaling through recurring thought patterns
-
Inner child work or somatic therapy
Remember, these things take time! You got this.
8. Start a Mindful Morning Ritual
✨ Add to cart: Sunrise alarm clock
How you start your morning sets the tone for your cortisol curve. A calm, intentional morning—tea, breathwork, a little sunlight—can reduce that frantic, overscheduled energy that fuels chronic stress.
🛒 This 5-minute gratitude journal is the perfect low-effort way to begin.
Final Thoughts
Lowering cortisol isn’t about perfection; it’s about creating small, supportive habits your body can rely on. Whether it's eating more protein at breakfast or walking after lunch, your daily choices matter. And the more ease you can add to your day, the better your body will respond.
Still have questions about the Cortisol teas? Get your answers here!
Disclaimer: The information on this website is has been compiled from published sources and is provided only as a guide. While every effort has been taken to ensure that information published on this site is correct and up to date, this is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any illness. Also, although all of our teas are generally regarded as safe, please consult your doctor before trying any herbal remedies, especially if currently using medication, pregnant or breastfeeding.