Alrighty, hormones, hormones, hormones….
Who is exhausted?
Stressed?
Having skin issues?
Health concerns?
Or maybe you’d like to be more empowered in regards to your hormone health…?
Where ever you are in your hormone journey, this blog post is for you… Because:
Our hormones are the chemical messengers that control all of the happenings in our body. From metabolism, to blood sugar, to making babies.
So how does stress impact?
Well, let me explain; Cortisol, our stress hormone, is a bossy hormone and will win out over all other hormones. When we are stressed, cortisol increases and then our other hormones are unable to do their job. Who wants to be making babies or digesting when we are running from that proverbial ‘tiger’ (modern day clock/to do list!) anyway! The body is very smart… It is a coping mechanism!
During stress blood pressure increases (heart disease anyone!?) and sugar floods the blood (Hello high blood sugars!). It does this as the body needs the quickest form of energy to either fight or run, this equals sugar cravings as the cells signal to the brain they are not getting sugar.
In a constantly stressed/rushed/over thinking state (most of us) the cells can become insulin resistant (remember cortisol is bossy, so insulin isn’t doing it’s job of balancing blood sugars). This can lead to high blood sugars, diabetes, and of course sugar cravings, as the body is asking for more, but insulin isn’t letting it in, as it is thinking the blood needs the sugar to fight or flight.
Cortisol (being bossy) also impacts on our sex hormones, and can cause an estrogen dominant state. Think PMS, excess weight around the mid-section, acne, brain fog, heavy bleeding.
So, what can we do?! Well, there are so many simple and effective daily tips that can help. Here’s the 2 main ones for today:
MY #1 TIP: BREATHE!!!
Sounds SO simple right? But it’s the thing we often do the least effectively!
The breath, specifically, deep diaphragmatic breathing, is the best way to get the body out of the fight and flight state, and into rest and digest.
How? Set an alarm/reminder on your phone before the (rough) time you would have your breakfast, lunch and dinner. Simply write ‘breath’, or ‘take 5’, or an emoji that signifies breathing to you. Then Take 3 of the biggest belly breaths you can. In through the nose as your belly rises, and out through the mouth, as your belly contracts towards your spine.
This is not only great for the mind, but also for the digestion!
So what about food?
So many people tell me that dairy and gluten don’t impact them, and that they have been advised to not cut out any food groups. That is great, if your hormones are working for you.
NUMBER #2: ‘Crowd out’ inflammatory foods!
Conventionally raised meat, corn, soy, wheat, dairy, refined sugar, alcohol.
BONUS: What to replace:
Choose organic, free range, grass-fed meat, almond and coconut milks, dates, rice malt syrup or coconut sugar.
