Cortisol, Cognition and the Boardroom

Cortisol, Cognition and the Boardroom: How Corporate Women Can Beat Burnout and Reclaim Their Health
By Susie Perry, Food Scientist & Nutritional Therapist, SISTERLY

The modern corporate woman is a force to be reckoned with. Leading teams, launching initiatives, balancing work and life at a pace that’s nothing short of relentless. But beneath the polished exterior, many are quietly running on empty. According to 2023 Irish research from Accenture, 87% of women say they are feeling more burnt-out at work since the pandemic and 68% confessed to feeling worried about expressing their feelings around being burnt out in case it holds back their career progression.

The Science Behind the Slump

Women in corporate roles face a perfect storm of stress, hormonal fluctuations, and disrupted blood sugar rhythms that chip away at physical and cognitive resilience. Many working women experience energy crashes during the workday, and it’s not unusual to struggle with focus and productivity before or during your period.

Stress disrupts insulin sensitivity, increases inflammatory markers, and impairs sleep architecture. The result? A vicious cycle of burnout. Add irregular meals, caffeine or sugary energy drinks, back-to-back Zooms, and hormone shifts, and it’s no wonder so many women feel like their bandwidth is maxed out.

Enter: SISTERLY

At SISTERLY, we speak to women every day who tell us they’re feeling tired and depleted. When we surveyed our community, the number one health goal wasn’t weight loss or better skin. It was simply: “I want more energy.” That insight directly shaped how we approached the formulation of SISTERLY, an all-in-one daily supplement containing 23 nutrients designed to meet the physiological demands of high-performing women.

SISTERLY was formulated as a women’s daily foundation for long-term vitality. It supports six key areas where women in business need the most help:

1. Burnout Recovery
   When you’re under sustained pressure, your adrenal glands pump out cortisol and adrenalin to keep you boardroom savvy. Meanwhile, your thyroid gland steps up the metabolic pace so you can perform like a boss. However, chronic stress eventually takes its toll on these two power glands, leading to fatigue, weight gain, and brain fog. SISTERLY bolsters high-performing women through a synergistic blend of anti-stress nutrients including vitamin B5, C, magnesium and selenium to help replenish the adrenal and thyroid glands.
2. Energy Production
   At the heart of cellular energy is Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone), included at a generous 150 mg dose. CoQ10 fuels mitochondrial ATP production and also helps neutralise oxidative stress, both essential for sustained energy output, particularly in women over 40 whose natural CoQ10 levels may decline with age (Littarru & Tiano, 2010).
3. Blood Sugar Balance
   Chromium picolinate is included at 40 mcg per sachet, the clinically supported form and dose known to support insulin sensitivity and help regulate blood glucose levels. This supports more even energy and mood throughout the workday and helps you sidestep those 3pm patisserie cravings.
4. Cognitive Function
   Cognitive clarity and mental stamina rely on the smooth synthesis of neurotransmitters like dopamine. Vitamins B6, folate and B12, play pivotal roles in this pathway. SISTERLY includes the highly absorbable, methylated and active forms of these three B-vitamins for optimal bioavailability.
5. Immune Resilience
   Commuting, working in busy offices and shared spaces often coincides with immune depletion. Zinc, selenium, and vitamin D3 are all immune-critical nutrients, with widespread insufficiencies documented in Ireland (TILDA, Trinity College Dublin). Supplementing with these nutrients helps to build immune resilience during times of high workload and travel.
6. Hormonal Balance
   Magnesium, zinc, and vitamin B6 work in tandem to support hormone production and regulation. Magnesium, in particular, helps in managing PMS symptoms and premenstrual or perimenopausal anxiety and insomnia. Meanwhile, vitamin K2 plays a lesser known but vitally important role in calcium metabolism and bone health, particularly relevant for postmenopausal women.

Beyond SISTERLY: Smart Lifestyle Swaps

Pairing SISTERLY with small, sustainable lifestyle changes can yield exponential results:

• Eat a protein-rich breakfast to stabilise blood sugar and cortisol.
• Prioritise sleep hygiene: block blue light after 9pm and reduce evening alcohol intake.
• Use movement strategically: short midday walks, or yoga breaks help regulate cortisol and boost cognitive performance.
• Cycle sync your workflow: schedule creative or high-stakes tasks in the follicular or ovulatory phases when mental clarity peaks.
  
  

The Bottom Line

The pace of modern work isn’t slowing down, and neither are we. When women in business are supported with the right nutritional tools and a smarter approach to daily health, the results are powerful: sharper thinking, balanced moods, stronger immunity, and a return to sustained energy and positive mindset. Women shouldn’t have to choose between ambition and wellbeing, we deserve both.

For all IBEC members, there is a special code, IBEC20, which gives you 20% off your first purchase at www.sisterlylab.com.