Page 63 - Direct To ConsumerFINAL3.25

are experiencing sleep issues, consult with a healthcare professional to ensure proper evaluation and management.
Why Measure Cortisol for Stress
Cortisol is a useful biomarker for assessing stress issues due to its role in the body's stress response and its association with various physiological processes. Below are some reasons why cortisol is good to measure for stress issues, along with citations from scientific literature for further
Information:
1. Stress indicator: Cortisol levels increase in response to stress, making it a useful biomarker for assessing stress (Kudielka, Hellhammer, & Wüst, 2009). Elevated cortisol levels can indicate acute or chronic stress. Reference: Kudielka, B. M., Hellhammer, D. H., & Wüst, S. (2009). Why do we respond so differently? Reviewing determinantshuman salivary cortisol responses to challenge. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 34(1), 2-18.
2. Diurnal rhythm: Cortisol levels follow a diurnal rhythm, peaking in the morning and declining throughout the day. Disruptions in this pattern can indicate stress-related issues or other problems (Clow, Hucklebridge, & Thorn, 2010).
63