Yes its called taking a vacation. Ideally someplace sunny out in nature where you can sleep in.

Holy Basil Helps me with my cortisol levels, but honestly stress management is the best way. Sleep, rest, relax. Yoga, walking,breathing. Do you have adrenal fatigue?

Weight gain from elevated cortisol is generally around the middle…the ol' spare tire. If that isn't the case, perhaps you're putting on muscle and/or retaining water.

They say 7 minutes of meditation a day can reduce stress immensely and help with losing weight. I set my phone alarm for 7 minutes and just try…it's a challenge but each day is easier and it really is good for you when you're used to go, go go.

cortisol levels change throughout the day and can be easily tested via a saliva test if you are really concerned. yours may be okay if you are sleeping well and feel rested upon waking. personally i find a long walk relaxing and you may too, especially spending that time with your pet; another thing said to be stress relieving.

"Cortisol" is not the first thing I thought of when I read your question.

When you say an "active job," what do you mean, and how many hours per week do you work? Also, when you work out five times per week, what are you doing? How much sleep are you getting, how much coffee do you drink?

Your schedule may or may not be stressful for you. Some aspects of it are certainly not voluntary. The dog has to be walked. Money has to be earned. School has to be attended. If you are actually feeling stressed, rather than other people looking at you and saying, "wow, you must be stressed," are the 5x weekly workouts and the horseback riding strictly necessary? Could you work out 3x/week and work out harder? If you are "lifting heavy," the rest between workouts is just as important as the workouts for optimum results.

If you are driving yourself, why are you driving yourself? Do you need a "cortisol" reset or an adrenalin one?

Rest is as important as training. Prioritize rest days, 1 or 2 a week. If you MUST be active, then go for long gentle walks or hikes in a natural environment, not city streets.

Begin a consistent yoga practice. It doesn't matter if its once or twice or three times a week, the important factor with yoga and meditation is CONSISTENCY. I would recommend a very gentle or restorative style of yoga.

Goodluck!

*Edit - A vacation may be just what you need, but in the long run you will return to your old habits. Develop NEW habits, like the ones I have mentioned above.

Yeah. Relaxation, in any form you can get it.

However, if you want a boost, there is a supplement by DSN called Lean Xtreme, which might help. Don't take the full serving though.

Everyone may have no idea what they are talking about.

You mentioned you were compliant on your diet but didn't say what that was exactly. Walking a dog and riding a horse should be cortisol-lowering activities.

Perhaps you are eating too much.