Nutritionist Anjali Mukherjee recently took to Instagram to shed light on this hormone, and why we should be paying more attention to it. Cortisol plays a major role in helping us wake up, manage energy and respond to challenges. But problems arise when cortisol levels remain chronically elevated. According to Mukherjee, sustained high cortisol can lead to several health concerns. These include belly fat accumulation, brain fog and forgetfulness, poor immunity and frequent illness, anxiety and irritability, hormonal imbalances and .sleep disturbances What's most concerning is that many of us may be unknowingly fuelling these elevated cortisol levels. Common daily habits and environmental factors could be the culprits. Mukherjee highlights a list of surprising triggers, such as excessive caffeine, poor quality sleep, toxic relationships, overtraining, doomscrolling, alcohol overuse, negative self-talk, and unmanaged daily stress. Even activities perceived as healthy, such as exercise, can become problematic when overdone. Similarly, seemingly harmless habits like scrolling endlessly through social media can send your body into a state of chronic alertness, keeping cortisol levels persistently high. According to Mukherjee, "the first step to healing is awareness." Healing begins by "identifying your triggers and consciously reducing them," says Mukherjee. This could mean establishing a consistent sleep routine, balancing workouts with rest days, setting emotional boundaries, cutting down on stimulants or seeking nutritional guidance tailored to your needs. "Your hormones are not your enemy," she says, adding, "They just need your attention." Here's nutritionist Anjali Mukherjee's post: