For the longest time, I believed that my hormones were in tip-top shape. I experienced my fair share of PMS symptoms, but other than that, my cycle had always been regular. It was only last month, however, after bringing myself to the doctor because I was bleeding outside of my cycle, that I discovered I had a hormonal imbalance. It turned out that last year’s stress and not-so-great diet had been affecting me more than I thought.
Hormones play a bigger role in our health than we realize; they are actually involved in every aspect of one’s health–from appetite, blood sugar, libido, sleep patterns, our moods and how we respond to stress. Because we can sometimes take them for granted, an imbalance is more common among women than you think. If you suspect you might be experiencing it, then it shouldn’t hurt to book an appointment with your OB-Gyn. Whether you have an imbalance or not, they would definitely recommend these 5 ways to help balance your hormones the natural way:
1. Take a closer look at your diet
While talking to my doctor, she asked about my diet. Generally, you could say I’m a healthy eater, but one thing I did give in to more often was my sweet tooth. If you think you’re consuming way too much sugar and refined carbs, then it is time to take a step back. The two are said to increase insulin levels, which can eventually lead to problems such as diabetes, heart disease and trouble losing weight. Eating a balanced diet rich in lean protein (there are a lot of good non-meat protein sources as well) and healthy fats, on the other hand, definitely help in optimizing hormone health.
2. Consider giving up (or at least cutting back) on caffeine
I hate to break it to you, but caffeine could be affecting you more negatively than you think, especially if your energy levels in the morning is dependent on a cup of coffee. With links to anxiety, acid reflux, energy crashes later on in the day, and trouble sleeping, it might be time to consider giving it up, or at least lessening it.
3. Get regular exercise
To help reduce insulin levels and to improve overall hormone health, physical activity is necessary. Look for an exercise that suits you–whether it be running, swimming, cycling or boxing. Even walking every night is said to make a difference.
4. Learn to properly manage your stress
Properly managing stress is definitely something I learned the hard way, only realizing it when it displayed itself through hormonal imbalance and occasional anxiety. I had always been conscious of exercise (which is a good way to deal with stress), but even then, I would mostly be attracted to “intense” workouts. Sometimes, your body just wants to relax. This can be done through activities such as meditation, massage and yoga.
5. Get more sleep
Another thing many of us take for granted? Quality sleep. It turns out that poor sleep is linked to the imbalance of many types of hormones, such as insulin, cortisol, leptin and growth hormone. To balance things out, aim for at least seven hours of sleep every night.
