Estrogen, insulin, testosterone, and adrenaline all have one major thing in common: they’re hormones, chemical messengers in our bodies that affect various aspects of our overall health. When we experience a hormonal imbalance, our bodies can feel out of whack. Luckily, simple life changes can make all the difference. Here are a few simple ways to keep your hormones happy and balanced.
What Happens During Hormonal Imbalance?
Our hormones control several bodily processes, such as metabolism, homeostasis, growth and development, sexual function, reproduction, sleep-wake cycles, and mood. An imbalance happens when we have too little or too much of one or more hormones. For many hormones, even slight imbalances can cause significant changes in our body. Some imbalances are temporary, while others are chronic or long-term.
Medical Conditions Caused by Hormone Imbalance
Hormonal imbalances can cause conditions such as:
- Irregular menstruation
- Infertility
- Acne
- Diabetes
- Thyroid disease
- Obesity
Restoring the Balance
Get Enough Sleep
Getting eight hours of sleep every night is never a bad idea. It does wonders for your health – mentally, physically, and emotionally. And you know what else? It restores the balance between our hormones. A 2015 study found that insufficient sleep contributes to diabetes, obesity, and appetite problems.
Take Your Vitamins
Nutritional voids can lead to our hormones getting out of whack, so consider discussing supplements like vitamin D, evening primrose oil, bone broth, probiotics, and certain herbs with your doctor. These supplements can restore what your body is missing and get your hormones back in check.
Get Physical on the Reg
Regular physical activity improves blood flow, increases hormone receptor sensitivity, and reduces insulin levels. Even moderate exercise, like an evening walk or morning yoga, can help.
Stay Away from Blue Light
Too much exposure to screens in the evening confuses our bodies into thinking we’re experiencing daylight, which leads to hormone adjustments. Avoiding these lights at night can keep our circadian rhythm functioning as it should.
Lower Sugar Intake
We aren’t saying you can’t have a little treat now and then, but you can optimize your hormone function by simply lowering your sugar intake.