The physiology of rushing and why it elevate cortisol :
Especially in the morning, beginning the day in a state of haste immediately activates the body’s stress response. When the brain perceives urgency, pressure, or the need to react rapidly, structures involved in stress regulation stimulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the principal neuroendocrine system responsible for cortisol secretion.
This sequence involves:
activation of the hypothalamus;
release of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH);
stimulation of the pituitary gland;
secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH);
release of cortisol by the adrenal glands.
From an evolutionary perspective, this system evolved to protect us from acute dangers. However, the body does not distinguish particularly well between escaping a predator and trying to answer emails, skip breakfast, drive through traffic, and continuously check the clock. Urgency itself becomes the stressor.
Rushing is not merely a psychological state. It affects the entire organism.
When people are in a hurry, they tend to:
breathe more rapidly and superficially;
maintain increased muscular tension;
activate the sympathetic nervous system;
make abrupt and inefficient movements;
become mentally agitated and emotionally reactive;
reduce their capacity for clear and rational thinking.
In essence, the body enters a mild but persistent fight-or-flight state.
Repeated episodes of urgency throughout the day continually stimulate the HPA axis, preventing cortisol from following its natural circadian decline. Although cortisol is supposed to peak in the morning and gradually decrease toward the evening, chronic rushing repeatedly signals to the brain that vigilance is still required.