Lower your stress hormones instantly!

Traffic jams, spam emails, endless errands…life’s little irritants make levels of the health-sapping hormone cortisol climb. Thankfully, cutting cortisol doesn’t require adding more to-do’s to your day— and Yale researchers say reducing your levels will slash the risk of heart disease, cancer and Type 2 diabetes by 55%! Simply… Comfort a friend

A hug, a kind note, a quick phone call: Taking a minute to show a friend that she’s loved and supported can cause your cortisol levels to plummet 51%, German researchers report. That’s better than results provided by yoga or meditation! Study co-author Beth Kok, PH.D., explains that reaching out to others calms the brain region that helps determine how much cortisol you’ll produce when life starts to get frantic.

Try this herbal extract

When you’re feeling frazzled, taking 200 mg. to 500 mg. of rhodiola daily could help you feel 59% calmer and more clearheaded, even on the most hectic days, according to Columbia University researchers. The reason: Rhodiola changes the way your adrenal glands respond to external stressors, tamping down cortisol release so you can keep calm. Important: Talk to your doctor before taking supplements.

Boost your morning meal

Hunger stresses out your body, which is why folks who skip breakfast produce 14% more cortisol compared to people who eat in the am. For the biggest benefit, power up your meal with 1⁄ cup of fruit 2 and a little plant fat, like a few slices of avocado, a handful of nuts or a spoonful of peanut butter. Penn State researchers say the combination of healthy plant fats and the phytonutrients in fruit calm the adrenal glands, cutting their cortisol release by 33% for up to eight hours.

Gaze at a flame

Looking at a flickering flame for two minutes can cause your blood level of cortisol to drop by as much as 55%— as long as the candle you’re burning is releasing a scent you love. That’s the word from Korean researchers, who found that aromatherapy combined with the mesmerizing sight of a flame triggers the release of soothing theta brain waves.