Frazzled to Calm: Micro Shifts That Lower Cortisol | Sanity Check No.29

Episode Overview:

Ever feel like you're living in survival mode - snappy, tired, and overwhelmed for no clear reason? You're not imagining it. That constant buzzing in your body might be cortisol, your stress hormone, running the show. In this short but powerful sanity check, we unpack why cortisol is especially high in midlife - and what you can do to gently bring it down without needing a retreat, a full reset, or a complete life overhaul.

This episode is your reminder that calm is closer than you think. With a few small, science-backed tweaks, you can soothe your nervous system and feel more grounded - even on the busiest days.

Key Discussion Points:

• Why cortisol spikes in midlife and what it’s really doing to your body and brain
• The invisible mental load that keeps stress high, even when nothing “bad” is happening
• Micro-habits that can lower cortisol and raise oxytocin (your feel-good hormone)
• How to ground yourself in one minute using your senses
• The surprising power of self-hugs, slow breaths, and kind self-talk

Listener Takeaways:

• You don’t need to escape your life to reset your system - just start with one small shift
• Understanding your body’s stress signals is a game-changer for your health and headspace
• These rituals may seem tiny, but they’re powerful acts of self-respect

Join the Conversation:

Do you have a micro ritual that helps calm you down or bring you back to yourself? DM us on Instagram or share it in the WhatsApp group. We’d love to build a community bank of sanity-saving tips - because you’re not alone, and neither are we.

Download our FREE E-book Midlife Nervous System Reset:

https://stan.store/YouKeepMeSane/p/midlife-nervous-system-reset

Links:

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Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

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Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.