31: Dr. Erin Kinney - Cortisol: The Good, The Bad, and The Misunderstood

Do you constantly feel overwhelmed, stressed or burnt out? Have you been told that your symptoms are “all in your head” even though you’re sure that they’re not? You’re not alone, and Dr. Kinney is here to help you understand what is REALLY going on in your body.  Dr. Kinney and I dive into all things cortisol and how it’s role in the body is often misunderstood. We discuss the impact of chronic stress, the importance of balancing your blood sugar, and the influence of past trauma on hormones. If you’re feeling stuck in your health and seeking to reconnect with the wisdom of your body, then this episode is a must listen.    Dr. Kinney’s Bio: Dr. Erin Kinney is a Naturopathic Doctor, speaker, author and podcast host who helps stressed out patients improve their mood, balance their hormones and increase their energy. She is incredibly passionate about teaching her patients to understand WHY stress causes so many problems in the body and HOW they can change their response to stress so they can take back control in both their bodies and their lives. She received a bachelor of arts from Vanderbilt University and was a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine (UBCNM). She currently runs a private practice in Annapolis, Maryland where she specializes in treating patients with chronic health conditions related to hormonal and nervous system imbalances. In addition to her practice, she offers workshops, retreats and online programs. When not practicing medicine you can find her reading, doing yoga, spreading awareness about Naturopathic Medicine or spending time with her two young daughters. Website: http://www.drerinkinney.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkinney/ The Dr. Kinney Show: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-kinney-show/id1547023817   00:52 Dr. Kinney’s bio 2:39 Dr. Kinney’s story of her nervous system breaking down and how she came to her work 6:29 Why “depression” is often just the symptom of your symptoms, but not the root problem at all 8:34 What is cortisol and how its role in the body is often misunderstood 12:47 The science behind why you might struggle to relax, and how if you are under chronic stress, your nervous system can get stuck in fight or flight 15:20 How not producing enough cortisol can lead to a decrease in essential sex hormones like progesterone and testosterone, further impacting your health 19:47 How stress is a key factor to autoimmune disease 21:00 How healing past trauma is essential to rebalancing your hormones 23:24 Where to start – what you should do first to begin healing your nervous system and balancing your hormones  27:09 The right bloodwork to get done to know where you’re at 28:23 The importance of balancing your blood sugar and how fasting will impact your cortisol 33:26 Fasting for women 33:56 Why you shouldn’t “stress out” trying to get healthy 37:08 The importance for women to listen to their body and consider the effects of their hormonal cycle 38:10 The changes you can experience when you address the stress/cortisol imbalances in your body 42:05 Finding the right practitioner who gives you hope 46:33 Why you should tell your brain what you want your supplements to do for you 53:36 How to follow Dr. Kinney and get more information about the resources she offers