How to Naturally Balance Your Hormones

How to Naturally Balance Your Hormone Levels

There are many hormones in your body that you need to work on balancing properly. These range from estrogen and progesterone, to testosterone and your thyroid hormones. Simple daily tasks can help improve your health overall and balance your hormone levels at the same time. When you have a hormonal imbalance, you have too much or too little of a certain hormone. The amount of time it takes to balance hormone levels varies. Take it one step at a time.

Let’s Identify Hormones

Estrogen:

Symptoms of high estrogen:

• Migraines

• Mood swings

• Bloating

• Heavy periods

• Fatigue

Symptoms of low estrogen:

• Depression

• Weight gain

• Trouble focusing

• Increase UTIs

• Irregular periods

Cortisol:

Symptoms of high cortisol:

• Anxiety/depression

• Insomnia

• Weight gain

• Hair loss

• High blood pressure

Symptoms of low cortisol:

• Fatigue/burnout

• Sleep apnea

• Dizzy/weak fainting

• Low libido

Melatonin:

Increase melatonin:

• Cool down at bedtime

• Get more sunlight

• Take a break from technology

• Start dimming lights early

• Increase relaxation

Progesterone:

Symptoms of progesterone deficiency:

• Headaches/migraines

• Irregular periods

• Low energy

• Insomnia

• Weight gain

Testosterone:

Symptoms of low testosterone:

• Belly fat

• Low sex drive

• Muscle weakness

• Brain fog

Symptoms of high testosterone:

• Acne

• Hair loss

• Body/facial hair growth

• Decreased breast size

Signs of a Hormonal Imbalance Problem

Before looking at the different ways to balance your hormone levels, it is important to get to the root cause. Some signs of hormonal imbalances include having an irregular period, trouble conceiving, insomnia, and a change in your libido. You might lose or gain weight without changing your diet, experience severe fatigue, and have mental health changes like anxiety or depression. Hair loss and changes in your appetite may also occur.

Eat More Healthy Fats

You may think the words ‘healthy’ and ‘fats’ don’t go hand-in-hand, but that is not true. While you may not want to just eat unlimited fats all day long, there are healthier fats that are great for you. These can help to balance your hormones and actually help you lose weight. You want to avoid processed fats like margarine and vegetable oil, and instead go for healthier fats like grass fed butter, coconut oil, nuts and seeds, and avocados. Try to add these to your diet and you will notice all the amazing benefits.

Other Sources of Healthy Fats:

• Cheese

• Dark chocolate

• Eggs

• Peanut Butter

• Salmon

Manage Stress

Stress harms your hormones in several ways. Cortisol is known as the stress hormone because it helps your body cope with long-term stress. When you can, remove yourself from the sources of stress. Manage your stress by practicing relaxation, eating well, exercising daily, and getting enough sleep.

Improve Your Sleep

It is vital that you are getting 6-8 hours of sleep a night. Missing out on sleep affects your body and mind, and your hormone levels. While we sleep, we process toxins, replace hormones, repair tissues, and process emotions.

Establish a consistent sleeping schedule. Try drinking a cup of tea before bed and turning off electronics 30-minutes before your eyes shut.

Exercising

Physical activity strongly influences hormonal health. A major benefit of exercise is its ability to reduce insulin levels and increase insulin sensitivity. Strength training, aerobics, walking, and other forms of exercise may modify hormone levels to reduce your risk of disease and prevent muscle mass decline as you age.

Try Adaptogen Herbs

These types of herbs are healing herbs that provide even more benefits than standard herbs. They are wonderful at helping to balance your hormones as well, so if you are looking to improve your hormone levels with herbs, those classified as adaptogens are the first ones you should turn to. These include many you might recognize, like holy basil, ashwagandha, and certain types of medicinal mushrooms. Not only can they help with your hormone levels, but they are great at lowering your cholesterol, improving thyroid function, and helping with anxiety and depression.

Hormone Harmony

Hormone harmony is all about balance. If you have tried to make these lifestyle changes but are still having symptoms it is a good idea to have your hormones checked by a professional who can give you a clear path to achieve the balance you need to thrive.

I offer complimentary 15 minute Alignment Calls if you would like to learn more about how this may apply to you!