The Cortisol and Nervous System Connection Every Woman Over 40 Needs to Hear

Why Rest Is Not Lazy- The Cortisol and Nervous System Connection Every Woman Over 40 Needs to Hear

You were not designed to keep going until you break. But somewhere along the way — between the to-do lists, the kids, the career, the hustle culture, and the guilt — rest became something you had to earn.

And your cortisol has been paying the price ever since.

In this episode of the Cortisol Coach Podcast, Christine Marie sits down with Carli Reiners — mental health counselor, life coach, founder of Rural & Well, and two-time stroke survivor — for a conversation about the one thing most high-functioning women refuse to give themselves permission to do.

Rest.

Carli knows the cost of ignoring this firsthand. She was the woman who had it all together on the outside — president of this, checking every box, always in motion — and exhausted at 16 years old. The striving followed her into adulthood, into motherhood, into her career. Until her body said no — twice.

Today she helps women understand that rest is not laziness. It is not a reward. It is not something you earn after you finish everything on your list. Rest is the very thing your nervous system needs to lower cortisol, regulate your body, and allow you to become everything God created you to be.

This episode is for the woman who cannot sit down and watch a movie with her family without feeling guilty. The woman who has not taken a deep breath in she does not know how long. The woman who is running on empty and calling it strength.

Friend — you are worthy of rest. And this episode is going to give you permission to finally receive it.

In this episode you will hear:

• Why rest feels like something women have to earn — and how to flip that script
• The direct connection between chronic striving, cortisol, and nervous system dysregulation
• What two strokes taught Carli about the cost of never stopping
• Why being present is one of the most powerful ways to lower cortisol
• What God says about rest — and why the enemy uses busyness as a weapon
• One simple step you can take today to begin introducing rest into your life

Get Carli's Free Rest Guide: Connect with Carli on Facebook to grab her free guide:

https://www.facebook.com/carli.israelson.reiners

Connect with Carli Reiners: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carli.israelson.reiners

Connect with Christine: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cortisol_coach

If this episode blessed you:

1. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts — it takes 60 seconds and helps other women find this show
2. Follow the Cortisol Coach Podcast so you never miss an episode
3. Share this episode with one woman in your life who needs permission to rest

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