Sometimes stress is obvious—you’re navigating a major life change, a packed calendar, or unexpected chaos. But other times? You feel off… but can’t quite pinpoint why.
I often hear from women who say, “I’m in the least stressful phase of my life, but I still feel anxious, wired, exhausted, or foggy.”
That’s because not all stress is emotional or visible.
In fact, many of the biggest contributors to cortisol imbalance are hidden stressors—physiological or environmental triggers your body is responding to, even if your mind isn’t fully aware of them.
Here are five of the most common “under the surface” causes of cortisol dysregulation that may be quietly hijacking your health:
1. Undiagnosed Food Sensitivities
Foods like gluten, dairy, or eggs can cause inflammation and internal stress—even if you don’t experience immediate symptoms. For many people, eating these foods regularly is like setting off a five-alarm fire in the body every single day.
Your immune system stays on high alert, and your adrenal glands release extra cortisol to manage the response. Over time, this chronic hidden stress wears you down.
What to do:
➡️ Ask me about the simple finger prick test I offer to identify hidden food sensitivities. We’ll uncover what’s inflaming your system so you can give your body the peace it needs.
➡️ Ask me about the simple finger prick test I offer to identify hidden food sensitivities. We’ll uncover what’s inflaming your system so you can give your body the peace it needs.
2. Parasitic Infections
It’s not the most glamorous topic, but it’s incredibly common—especially if you’ve traveled, eaten raw produce, or have pets. Parasites can quietly live in your gut, disrupt digestion, and keep your immune system in a constant state of defense.
The result? Ongoing stress on your body and persistently elevated cortisol.
What to do:
➡️ I recommend doing a parasite detox several times a year.
➡️ I recommend doing a parasite detox several times a year.
Before spending hundreds on a cleanse or doing it at the wrong time, ask me about my DIY Parasite Cleanse. Timing matters, and I’ll help you get it right.
3. Chronic Sleep Disruptions
Not getting great sleep? It might be messing with more than your mood.
Even small disruptions—like inconsistent bedtimes or scrolling your phone before sleep—can throw off your HPA axis (the system that regulates your stress hormones). The result is cortisol that stays elevated long after the sun comes up.
What to do:
➡️ Ask me about a Visera Scan. It’s a powerful tool I use to identify what’s interfering with your sleep and how to correct it naturally.
➡️ Ask me about a Visera Scan. It’s a powerful tool I use to identify what’s interfering with your sleep and how to correct it naturally.
4. Environmental Toxins
You may not see them, but toxins like mold, heavy metals, and endocrine disruptors are common culprits behind hidden stress.
They overwork your detox pathways, overstimulate your immune system, and keep your body in a low-level stress response—raising your cortisol even when you “feel fine.”
What to do:
➡️ Let’s talk about my Detox Your Home program.
➡️ Let’s talk about my Detox Your Home program.
Together, we’ll identify and reduce the biggest stressors in your environment—from cleaning products to air quality—so your home becomes a place of healing, not harm.
5. Unresolved Emotional Stress
Some stress is subtle—but still powerful.
Things like perfectionism, people-pleasing, mental overload, or suppressed trauma can keep your nervous system on edge, even if there’s no visible threat. Multitasking and mental clutter might feel normal, but your body doesn’t see it that way.
What to do:
➡️ Join my Faith, Food & Freedom group—a faith-based coaching experience where we gently unpack emotional triggers, mindset habits, and behavioral patterns that impact your health.
You’re Not “Crazy.” Your Body Is Just Speaking a Different Language.
These hidden stressors often go unrecognized because the symptoms aren’t always loud or obvious. But if you’re experiencing:
- Fatigue
- Sleep problems
- Anxiety
- Brain fog
- Weight changes
- Hormonal issues
…you might be dealing with more than one of these triggers.
🌿 Let’s uncover what’s going on beneath the surface.
Schedule a Breakthrough Session with me and I’ll help you identify the hidden stressors behind your cortisol imbalance—and create a personalized plan to support your healing.
