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Taming Cortisol: The Science of Stress Rhythm and Burnout Recovery

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Discover how to reset your body's stress response with insights from Huberman Lab, Emily Nagoski, and Stanford research. This episode reveals why cortisol timing-not elimination-is key to beating burnout, and offers practical light, breath and movement techniques that outperform traditional stress management approaches.

Taming Cortisol: The Science of Stress Rhythm and Burnout Recovery
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How This Personalized Podcast Was Made

This podcast was created using BeFreed’s AI, based on selected books, the creator’s learning goals, and their preferred tone.

Habitual Caffeine Use Is Associated With Heightened Cortisol Reactivity to Lab-Based Stress
link
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39007443/
Tools for Managing Stress & Anxiety
link
https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/tools-for-managing-stress-and-anxiety
The New Science of Longevity, Resilience & Breaking Bad Habits
link
https://dexa.ai/modernwisdom/d/777b2e76-6ecc-11ef-b95d-e70049696f97
Diurnal Cortisol Slopes and Mental and Physical Health Outcomes
link
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5568897/
Yoga, mindfulness-based stress reduction and stress-related physiological measures: A meta-analysis
link
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28963884/
Sleep loss results in an elevation of cortisol levels the next evening
link
https://pure.psu.edu/en/publications/sleep-loss-results-in-an-elevation-of-cortisol-levels-the-next-ev
Burnout
link
https://www.befreed.ai/book/burnout-by-emily-nagoski
How to make stress your friend
link
https://www.ted.com/talks/kelly_mcgonigal_how_to_make_stress_your_friend
How to Control Your Cortisol & Overcome Burnout
link
https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/how-to-control-your-cortisol-overcome-burnout
Breath
link
https://www.befreed.ai/book/breath-by-james-nestor
Light affects morning salivary cortisol in humans
link
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10487717/
Caffeine stimulation of cortisol secretion across the waking hours
link
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16204431/
The effects of exercise intensity on the cortisol response to a subsequent acute psychosocial stressor
link
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34175558/
Stress, Cortisol, and Sleep Deprivation: An Awful Feedback Loop
link
https://peterattiamd.com/stress-cortisol-and-sleep-an-awful-feedback-loop/
Lending a hand: social regulation of the neural response to threat
link
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17201784/
Specific reduction in cortisol stress reactivity after social but not attention-based mental training
link
https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/sciadv.1700495
Burn-out an occupational phenomenon
link
https://www.who.int/standards/classifications/frequently-asked-questions/burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon
Cortisol responses to mental stress, exercise, and meals following caffeine intake
link
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16631247/
Dual impact of Ashwagandha: meta-analysis (2024)
link
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40746175/
A standardized Ashwagandha root extract: randomized controlled trials
link
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1155/2021/8254344
Burnout and How to Complete the Stress Cycle
link
https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-with-emily-and-amelia-nagoski-on-burnout-and-how-to-complete-the-stress-cycle
Brief mindfulness training alters psychological and neuroendocrine responses to social evaluative stress
link
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24767614/
Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Salivary Cortisol in Healthy Adults: A Meta-Analytical Review
link
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27807420/
Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers
link
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/348530.Why_Zebras_Don_t_Get_Ulcers
Breaking the Burnout Cycle
link
https://podknife.com/episodes/breaking-the-burnout-cycle-with-arianna-huffington-emily-nagoski
Digital Minimalism
link
https://www.befreed.ai/book/digital-minimalism-by-cal-newport
All it takes is 10 mindful minutes
link
https://www.ted.com/talks/andy_puddicombe_all_it_takes_is_10_mindful_minutes
Physical activity and cortisol regulation: A meta-analysis
link
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301051123000650
L-theanine and stress
link
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34562208/
How to succeed? Get more sleep
link
https://www.ted.com/talks/arianna_huffington_how_to_succeed_get_more_sleep
The Upside of Stress
link
https://www.befreed.ai/book/the-upside-of-stress-by-kelly-mcgonigal
Sleep is your superpower
link
https://www.ted.com/speakers/matthew_walker
Cyclic sighing can help breathe away anxiety
link
https://med.stanford.edu/content/sm/news/insights/2023/02/cyclic-sighing-can-help-breathe-away-anxiety
Why We Sleep
link
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34466963-why-we-sleep
Brief structured respiration practices enhance mood and reduce physiological arousal
link
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666379122004748
Familial social support predicts a reduced cortisol response to stress
link
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24972382/
Influence of Sleep Deprivation and Circadian Misalignment on Cortisol, Inflammatory Markers, and Cytokine Balance
link
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5401766/
How to slow down but achieve more
link
https://www.ted.com/podcasts/rethinking-with-adam-grant/how-to-be-productive-without-burning-out-with-cal-newport-transcript
Slow Productivity
link
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/722732/slow-productivity-by-cal-newport/
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Input question

How can I control my cortisol levels and overcome burnout?

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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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likes17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
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"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
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"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
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likes483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
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"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments12
likes117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments12
likes108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments254
likes17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
starstarstarstarstar

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
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comments96
likes4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
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starstarstarstarstar

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
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comments201
thumbsUp16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
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starstarstarstarstar

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
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comments37
likes483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
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