Though often given a negative connotation, hormones are a natural part of everyone's bodily function. Chemical messengers of the body, hormones impact a number of different functions and work slowly over time. Most notably, hormones play a role in mood, metabolism, growth, and development, sexual function and reproduction, according to the National Library of Medicine. Because they effect such vital systems, maintaining an equilibrium, or hormone balance, is key.
Maintaining Hormonal Balance
For females, maintaining a balance of hormones is essential for feeling your best self, experiencing increased energy and sleeping better, according to the Women in Balance Institute of the National College of Natural Medicine. Conversely, hormone imbalance can have several undesirable effects on your lifestyle such as mood swings, intense cravings and poor sleeping habits. It can even cause excess sweating and frequent headaches, or migraines.
Though this imbalance is natural during certain times of the menstrual cycle and various stages of life for women, such as puberty and menopause, there are also outside factors that can negatively influence hormones. Poor eating habits, a sedentary lifestyle, stress and synthetic hormones can all contribute to taking hormones out of sync. Here are three natural ways to take back control:
1. Track your menopausal symptoms
Knowledge is power and when you can honestly listen to your body and understand its inner workings, you can achieve optimal health. According to the institute, understanding the various hormones and their function is key for achieving balance. The source advised tracking your individual menopausal symptoms for one month.
"Understanding your hormones is key for balance."
A chart or a list broken into three categories - mid-period or ovulation, pre-menstrual and during period - is beneficial for keeping track of when you experience the most hot flashes, have the most energy or feel most fatigued. It's helpful to record the date of night sweats and migraines as well as the length of your periods. Not only will this help familiar yourself with your normal cycle, it's also strong material to give your health care provider.
2. Relax and recover
One of the most taxing side effects of menopause and hormonal imbalance is stress. Feelings of losing control, anxiety, irritability and even depression have been reported by women as a result of the drastically changing levels of hormones during perimenopause, according to the North American Menopause Society. The best way to overcome these feelings is by engaging in a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity, a healthy diet and time spent doing what you love. Massages and deep-breathing techniques have also been found to reduce these levels of stress. And, of course, prayer and communion with Jesus Christ sustains us through stressful times. "Cast your burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved," (Psalm 55:22).
3. Relieve symptoms with a menopause supplement
Luminology, a clinically proven line of menopausal supplements from My Hallelujah Diet, is one of the best solutions for women living with these symptoms and side effects of hormonal imbalance. Luminology Breeze, Luminology Balance and Luminology Clarity have each been confirmed to help to improve or reduce symptoms, as well as provide comforting relief. Packed with MacaPure and Vitex Berry, these supplements help empower women to get back on their feet and feel like themselves again.
