3 Surprising Daily Hacks For Hormone Balance
Hormones help our bodies function and affect everything from our stress levels, metabolism, muscle strength, sleep quality, emotions, and digestion (via Women's Health). These little messengers play a massive role in our overall health and well-being as they travel through our bloodstream and communicate with our organs and bodily systems (via Medical News Today). Your body's goal is to always stay balanced; too much or too little of a certain hormone can significantly impact your health in drastic ways.
If you are experiencing a hormonal imbalance, you may notice physical symptoms such as unexplained weight changes, fatigue, achy muscles and joints, stomach problems, or changes in your skin, per Healthline. Your mental and emotional health may also be affected as you could experience depression, anxiety, or irritability. To keep your hormones balanced, there are three simple practices you can incorporate into your day that will leave your mind and body feeling happy and healthy.
How to keep your hormones balanced
Beginning your day with fiber is a good place to start. For optimal hormone and energy balance, make sure you are getting at least 40 grams of fiber per day, as well as filling up your plate at each meal with plenty of fruits and vegetables, per MindBodyGreen.
Cutting down on caffeine can help support your hormone levels as well. While you don't have to completely give up caffeinated beverages, you may want to consider foregoing a midafternoon run to the coffee shop to avoid the sharp blood sugar spikes and drops that caffeine brings. Instead, keep your energy levels balanced through your diet by ensuring you are getting an adequate amount of fiber, per MindBodyGreen.
Another essential practice for regulating hormones is to incorporate mindfulness and meditation throughout your day. Functional medicine doctor, Dr. Taz Bhatia, explained to MindBodyGreen that, "Stress, anger, and trauma all live within our cells and, more specifically, within certain organs." She goes on to explain that these negative emotions actually create a blockage within our bodies and prevent our hormones and organs from working efficiently. You can avoid this by carving out time within your day to practice mindfulness. Spending a few minutes doing breathing exercises, meditating, or journaling can help lower your stress hormones and keep your mind and body balanced.