Finding Your Morning Cortisol Peak
Eli recommends testing your cortisol 30 minutes after waking. This is because cortisol rises naturally after you wake up — a process called the Cortisol Awakening Response — and typically peaks around the 30-minute mark before gradually declining throughout the day.
Why your peak may look different
Everyone's cortisol rhythm is slightly different. If your morning result looks lower than expected, your peak may be happening earlier or later than 30 minutes. This is normal and doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong.
How to find your personal peak
If your morning cortisol consistently reads low at 30 minutes, try this 3-day protocol to identify when your peak actually occurs:
Day 1 :Test immediately upon waking (within a few minutes of getting out of bed).
Day 2 : Test 30 minutes after waking, as usual.
Day 3 : Test 1 hour after waking.
Compare your three results. The highest reading indicates when your cortisol peak is occurring. Going forward, use that timing as your regular morning test window.
Tips for consistent morning testing
Test at the same time each morning for the most comparable results.
Avoid eating, drinking (other than water), or exercising before your morning test.
Try to test before checking your phone or engaging in stressful activities.
Log any relevant factors in the Eli app — sleep, stress, exercise — to better understand your patterns over time.
Note: If you consistently see very low cortisol across all three morning time points, or if you're experiencing symptoms such as persistent fatigue, mood changes, or sleep difficulties, it's a good idea to consult a healthcare professional.