# data[].attributes.body
Cortisol is a steroid hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands, it is mainly released in times of stress and having the right cortisol balance is essential for human health. A new York study found that low cortisol levels can come from the mothers stress during pregnancy, proven in their testing of pregnant women during 9/11 that ultimately had babies with naturally low cortisol levels. Exemplified by Sophia having low cortisol levels due to her mother being stressed during pregnancy as a result of her dad having cancer. the symptoms of low cortisol can be detrimental to ones health but for Sophia is predominantly impacted her behavior, she felt fatigued which led to her having a lack of attention throughout the day, mood swings and also a loss of appetite.

# data[].attributes.headline
Sophia's cortisol levels: and what this means for educators

# data[].attributes.subject
Sophia's cortisol levels: and what this means for educators

# data[].attributes.body
-Cortisol is a steroid hormone, it should be at it's highest in the morning and then gradually decrease throughout the day.

-Cortisol can be affected by emotions such as stress

-However in the absence of her mother, Sophia had unusually low levels of cortisol in the morning leading to low levels for the whole day.

-Meaning Sophia was struggling to engage in the moment and was very withdrawn.

-This means as educators, we need to be able to create neutral environments where stress can be eliminated. Meaning that optimal cortisol levels can be created. Resulting in students being able to concentrate on task and behave appropriately allowing for them to achieve their personal best.

-However educators can not always control this as stress can be created within a household as shown by Sophia's situations, meaning it is also up the families to limit stress within households to promote optimal cortisol levels of their children.

# data[].attributes.body
- While Sophia's mother was 7 months pregnant with her, Sophia's father was diagnosed with cancer, causing stress levels to rise within the family
- In the first 3 months of Sophia's life, majority of it spent going in and out of hospital while her father received treatment
-  Now 13 months old, Sophia is faced with a new scenario, which was her mother going back to work as a flight attendant
- Due to this Sophia's mother was gone for 2 days and was not able to wake up or put Sophia to bed

# data[].attributes.headline
Protective factors for Sophia's Mental Health

# data[].attributes.subject
Protective factors for Sophia's Mental Health

# data[].attributes.body
-Emotional Support from parents, brother and nanny
-Physical comfort from parents and nanny
-Parents can recognise when Sophia is stressed, due to her change in character
-This event of her mother leaving for work provides her with the capacity to cope with future stress
-Parents and nanny allow Sophia to express her emotions

# data[].attributes.body
- Sophia becomes clingy and always wants to be held by someone
- She whines throughout the day and is anxious around a familiar setting. She cries for things she wouldn't usually cry for
- Does not engage in activities and does not like the usual things that she like. eg. eating fruits that she normally does
- Sophia would constantly cry for her mother even though she has not seen her for a certain number of hours