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Your stress hormones may be out of balance
I see this in my practice all the time – women telling me they’re maxed out, stressed out, living on fumes. The numerous pressures most women are under include: home, work, money, kids, to-do lists – plus the inner pressure to be perfect, eat the perfect diet, exercise, get the promotion and be the best mom on the block. It’s mind-boggling. No wonder so many women feel burned out! When our bodies are constantly pumping out adrenaline and cortisol (our stress hormones) we see higher blood sugar levels, more belly fat, poor quality sleep and even fertility issues. Stress can also have a significant impact on your menstrual cycles and PMS symptoms. Women under high stress are twice as likely to have painful periods. So what can you do about it? If you want to bring hormone health back into your life, reducing stress has got to be a commitment. Self-care is not selfish – it’s self-preservation! Here are 3 tips to start lowering your cortisol: 1. Don’t skip meals. Going more than 5 waking hours without eating is a stressor on your body. This includes intermittent fasting. When you’re already a high stress person, skipping meals and creating a blood sugar roller coaster is the last thing your body needs. Aim to eat consistently, every 3-4 hours. 2. Take it easy at the gym. Over-exercising or doing very strenuous exercise is another stressor on the body. When your cortisol is already high, a HIIT workout is the last thing your body needs. Try doing restorative exercise instead – go for a walk, take a flow yoga class, try Pilates, dance or tai chi to calm down your stress response. 3. Prioritize sleep. Getting a good night’s rest is the best way to rebalance your hormones. Make it a priority to go to bed at a reasonable time so that you can get 7-9 hours of sleep. Keep your bedroom dark and cool to help with the quality of your sleep. If you're ready to learn more about how to balance all your key hormones using natural methods, you're in the right place. Schedule a call with us to learn more about our programs!