Some studies suggest that cortisol levels and anxiety have a 'cyclical relationship'. Anxiety may elevate your cortisol levels, which, in turn is related to more anxiety. The more you can learn about how cortisol and anxiety impact each other, the more you can do to lower both of them. Discussing this with your doctor is one way effective way to learn about ways to lower your cortisol and your anxiety. Talk to your doctor about what type of anxiety you may have. Some research indicates that certain anxiety disorders are linked to higher cortisol levels than others. For instance, panic disorders are related to higher cortisol levels than generalized anxiety disorder. Some studies suggest that lowering cortisol can help manage anxiety and that controlling anxiety can help lower cortisol levels. In both cases, though, other treatment is usually needed as well. Ask your physician whether you should focus on lowering your cortisol levels, anxiety, or both. You might say, "What should be my priority? Lowering my cortisol, my anxiety, or both of them?" Although there are everyday signs your body may give you that your cortisol levels need to be lowered, the most accurate way to tell is through a professional lab analysis. Once you know for sure your cortisol levels are elevated, you can work with your healthcare provider to lower it and the anxiety that may accompany it. Your healthcare provider may have your blood, saliva, or urine analyzed for high levels of cortisol. Ask what you should do to prepare for the analysis. You may need to avoid strenuous exercise and certain medications right before your test. Because cortisol levels may change throughout the day, your healthcare provider may ask you to take your test in the morning rather than afternoon. There are lifestyle changes you can make to feel less stressed and naturally lower your cortisol levels and your anxiety. However, there are also medications that have been found to be effective in treating high cortisol levels and anxiety. You may want to consider medication management as a way of addressing these issues. Talk to your healthcare provider about the medication options you have for lowering your cortisol levels and managing your anxiety. Recent studies have found that medications like pasireotide can help limit the amount of cortisol the body produces. Some research suggests that certain medications, such as SSRIs, that are effective in treating anxiety disorders may also be effective in lowering cortisol levels. You could ask your physician, "What are some of the medication options I have for lowering my cortisol levels? What medications might work for lowering my anxiety?" Keep in mind that medications will only lower your anxiety while you are taking them, and your anxiety may increase when they wear off. This is why medications are best for short-term use and you will need to find other solutions for controlling anxiety in the long-term.
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One-sentence summary -- Talk to your physician about cortisol and anxiety. Detect high levels of cortisol. Explore medication options.

Don't try to minimize their feelings or tell them that they should "just get over it." Doing this will only make them more upset. Instead, try to validate how they are feeling. Try saying something like, "I can tell that you are feeling upset. What's going on?" The last thing a person in a bad mood wants is to be confronted. Instead of helping the situation, it will only add fuel to the fire. If you must get to the bottom of the problem, you can do it in a gentle way. Let's say your friend has been in a funk for a whole week. Instead of saying, "Why are you acting like this," you could say, "I really want to understand what's going on." This comes off as less defensive. Your friend still may not want to talk about it, but you likely won't have upset them even more. Hearing nice things about yourself is often an instant mood-lifter. Saying something nice to the person who is in a bad mood may lift them out of their funk. It can also help bring you closer together during this unhappy time. You can thank the person for helping you earlier in the day or compliment them on their appearance to try to help them feel happier. This nice gesture may help them snap out of it. Tell your partner "I really appreciated you coming to my event last night. I know you have been stressed with the upcoming deadline. It means a lot that you took time out to support me." You can also invite them to do something they might enjoy, such as going for a walk or playing a game. You may be able to end the bad mood by having fun with it. The type of humor you use depends on the person's personality. If, however, you know that humor won't work well with this person, then you should probably avoid it. For instance, your coworker storms through the office after a bad performance review. It may not be a good idea to say "Who lit a fire under you?" jokingly. However, if your coworker spilled coffee on the briefings and got really upset, it may be well-timed to say, "You have just used your last screw-up for the week. Please refill your "screw-up" card now for more credits." Sometimes what seems to be the cause of the bad mood isn't actually what's really going on. Try and take a step back from the situation and attempt to determine what could be the problem. Perhaps the person has a headache, is having a bad time at home, couldn't sleep the night before, or just found out they have a serious condition. These problems could contribute to the bad mood that you've walked in on.
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One-sentence summary -- Validate how they are feeling. Avoid confronting them. Try flattery. Use humor. Look for the underlying cause.

Alternate the hot water bottle by placing it on your lower back. (You may need to have two hot water bottles handy in order to do this. A warm bath is another form of heat treatment used to reduce the pain of cramping in women. Warm baths are believed to relax the muscles of the body, making the pain less noticeable. Try putting a cup or two of Epsom salts in the bath. Epsom salts are high in magnesium, a deficiency of which may cause cramping. Soak in the bath for at least 30 minutes. Try adding a cup of sea salt and a cup of baking soda to the water. This combination might further relax the muscles of the body. Soak in the bath for at least 30 minutes. Choose painkillers like ibuprofen, paracetamol or painkillers designed specially for period cramps. Just be sure to follow the directions on the bottle! For severe pain associated with menstrual cramps, talk to your doctor about birth control. Taking birth control pills may reduce pain, bloating, and cramps associated with periods. If you have severe cramping and pain during your periods, talk to your doctor about the birth control options available to you. Painful menstrual cramps may be prevented before they even start to bother you. Avoiding the following may help give you a break from period cramping before you even have to deal with it: Alcohol, tobacco, and other stimulants Stress Inactivity
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One-sentence summary --
Place a heating pad or hot water bottle on your stomach. Take a warm bath. Try a painkiller. Talk to your doctor about contraceptive pills. Use preventative care.