The Stress Connection — How Cortisol Hijacks Your Energy and Your Waistline

Struggling with belly fat, brain fog, and exhaustion in perimenopause? Learn how cortisol hijacks your body—and how to calm it.

Let’s talk about stress.

We all know it. We all feel it. But did you know that stress isn’t just something you feel in your mind? It literally changes your body — especially in perimenopause.

The main culprit? Cortisol.

Cortisol is your body’s stress hormone. It’s designed to help you survive when danger is near — like when you slam the brakes to avoid an accident or sprint to grab your toddler before they run into the street. In those moments, cortisol is amazing. It gives you the energy and focus you need.

That’s what I call “good stress.”

But when your body is under chronic, ongoing stress — the work deadlines, the lack of sleep, the endless to-do lists, the never-ending responsibilities — cortisol becomes your worst enemy.

And in perimenopause, that stress can hit harder than ever, leaving you drained, foggy, moody, and yes… carrying more belly fat than before.

My Personal Cortisol Struggle

Over the last number of years, I’ve noticed it in my own life.

Brain fog became my constant companion. I’d lose my keys, misplace my phone, forget words that used to come easily.

On top of that, I felt like I was living in a “constant state of chaos.” I call it Can’t-Have-Anyone-Over Syndrome. My house was messy, my brain was scattered, and I went from one thing to the next without ever feeling like I actually accomplished anything.

At one point, I even thought, Maybe I have ADHD or ADD.

So I went to my doctor. I told him about my struggles with brain fog, my inability to concentrate, and the sudden weight gain that made me feel like a stranger in my own body.

His solution?

He handed me a prescription for Vyvanse, telling me it would help curb my appetite.

I sat there, dumbfounded. Appetite wasn’t my issue. I wasn’t overeating. I wasn’t snacking my way through the pantry.

I needed answers about my hormones. I needed tools, not a pill that would make me feel wired and suppress my hunger.

And that was my wake-up call: the traditional medical system doesn’t always have the answers women need in perimenopause.

Why Cortisol Hits Harder in Perimenopause

Here’s why this matters.

When your body is under stress, cortisol levels rise. A little cortisol is fine — even healthy. But when it stays high all the time, it messes with everything:

Belly fat storage: High cortisol signals your body to store fat, especially around your midsection. That’s why perimenopausal belly fat is so stubborn.
Sleep disruption: Elevated cortisol makes it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep, which means you wake up tired and stressed… which creates more cortisol.
Mood swings: Cortisol imbalance throws off neurotransmitters in your brain, leaving you anxious, irritable, or even depressed.
Energy crashes: Instead of steady energy, you ride waves of stress, exhaustion, and cravings.
Hormone imbalance: Cortisol steals resources from other hormones like progesterone, creating an even bigger imbalance during perimenopause.

So when women tell me, “I’m doing everything right but nothing’s working,” I often ask: How’s your stress? Because stress is one of the biggest hidden drivers of perimenopause symptoms.

The Cycle of Stress and Weight Gain

The tough part about cortisol is that it feeds into a cycle:

You feel stressed → cortisol rises.
Cortisol tells your body to hold on to fat.
You gain weight → which makes you feel more stressed.
Stress rises again.

Sound familiar?

This is why weight gain in perimenopause isn’t about willpower. It’s about biology.

How to Calm Cortisol Without Adding More Stress

The good news? You don’t have to accept high stress and stubborn weight gain as your “new normal.”

There are simple, practical ways to calm cortisol that don’t involve popping a pill or overhauling your entire life.

Here are some of my favorites:

Gentle movement: Yoga, walking, and stretching signal your nervous system to relax.
Connection: Spending time with family, loved ones, or even a good friend can lower stress hormones.
Sauna or hot tub: Heat therapy helps your body release tension and relax.
Journaling: A “brain dump” before bed clears your head and reduces racing thoughts.
Gratitude practice: Writing down 3 things you’re grateful for each day shifts your mindset and reduces stress.
Evening walks: Fresh air and gentle movement before bed can improve sleep.

Notice what’s missing here? Punishing workouts. Overexercising. Extreme dieting.

Those things don’t lower cortisol — they raise it. And if your body is already under stress, pushing harder only makes things worse.

Why This Matters for YOU

Here’s the truth: you can’t diet your way out of high cortisol. You can’t hustle your way out of burnout.

If you’re constantly exhausted, foggy, moody, and carrying stubborn belly fat no matter how hard you try — it’s not because you’re weak. It’s not because you “lack willpower.”

It’s because your stress hormones are hijacking your body.

And once you learn how to calm cortisol, everything changes.

Watch My Free Webinar Replay

This is exactly why I created my webinar: Beat the Bloat, Boost Your Energy, and Cool the Hot Flashes.

In just 30 minutes, I’ll show you:

How cortisol impacts your hormones, weight, and energy
Why perimenopause makes stress harder to handle
Simple, sustainable steps to lower stress and balance your hormones

👉 Click here to watch the free replay now

Because you don’t have to live in chaos, exhaustion, and frustration. You can feel calm, focused, and back in control of your body.

Final Thoughts

Perimenopause is a season of change. And yes, it can feel overwhelming. But once you understand what’s really happening inside your body, you stop fighting yourself — and start thriving.

Cortisol doesn’t have to hijack your life.

You can reclaim your energy.

You can sleep better.

You can manage your mood.

And you can finally let go of the shame spiral of weight gain.

👉 Watch my free 30-minute webinar replay here and learn how to take back your energy today.

With love,

Susie Friesen

Certified Perimenopause & Menopause Coach

Categories: : Stress