5 key areas to focus to improve your health
Women’s health is complex, our hormones change throughout the day, throughout the month and throughout our life stages. This constant change makes it easier to go off course, impacting our wellbeing.
Up to 80% of women deal with hormone imbalances, many don’t even know it.
Our hormones play a role in every system and function in our bodies. We can have a variety of symptoms that don’t seem related (ie. skin and digestive issues). When we look at the root cause of these issues, we usually find a common factor.
Some common symptoms include:
Irregular Menstrual Cycles: Variations in the length, regularity, or heaviness of menstrual periods.
Weight Gain or Difficulty Losing Weight: Unexplained weight changes, often around the abdomen.
Fatigue: Persistent tiredness and lack of energy, even with adequate sleep.
Mood Swings and Irritability: Unpredictable changes in mood, anxiety, or depression.
Hot Flashes and Night Sweats: Sudden feelings of heat, often accompanied by sweating, common during perimenopause and menopause.
Acne and Skin Changes: Adult acne or skin issues, particularly around the jawline and chin.
Hair Changes: Thinning hair, hair loss, or excessive hair growth in unusual places.
Sleep Disturbances: Difficulty falling or staying asleep, or not feeling rested after sleep.
Low Libido: Decreased sexual desire or arousal.
Digestive Issues: Problems like bloating, constipation, or diarrhea.
Identifying a root cause
Women's hormone health is influenced by a variety of factors that interact in complex ways.
Here are some of the main factors:
Age and Life Stages
Diet and Nutrition
Exercise and Physical Activity
Stress
Sleep
Environmental Toxins
Medical Conditions
Medications and Birth Control
Body Weight and Composition
Genetics
Understanding these factors can help in managing and improving hormone health through lifestyle changes, medical interventions, and awareness of environmental influences.
5 key lifestyle habits to support your health
Diet, sleep, movement, managing stress and toxins are pieces of the puzzle that must be addressed to feel your best. Most of these areas require support from each other, like balancing blood sugar with food & movement help sleep & stress; reducing stress helps sleep, and so on.
Maintain a Balanced Diet: Focus on a nutrient-rich diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats (like those from avocados, nuts, and seeds), and whole grains. Avoid excessive sugar and refined carbohydrates to help regulate insulin levels. And always remember to stay hydrated!
Exercise Regularly: Engage in regular physical activity, such as walking, yoga, swimming, or strength training. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week.
Manage Stress: Practice stress-reducing techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or mindfulness. Regularly engaging in relaxing activities can help lower cortisol levels and improve overall hormone balance. Walking & yoga can be a 2 for 1 when it comes to movement and stress management.
Get Sufficient Sleep: Prioritize good sleep hygiene by maintaining a regular sleep schedule, creating a restful environment, and aiming for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. Adequate sleep supports the balance of multiple hormones, including cortisol and growth hormone. Diet, movement & stress management support sleep hygiene as well.
Limit Exposure to Environmental Toxins: Reduce exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals by choosing natural or organic personal care products, avoiding plastics (especially for food storage), and opting for environmentally friendly cleaning products. This can help minimize the impact of external toxins on hormone health. I also recommend making gradual changes, as you run out of a product, look for a better alternative for your replacement.
Improving your health doesn’t have to be overwhelming!
You don’t have to deal feeling less than your best—you can be a super mom, spouse, friend & career woman! We can identify the key lifestyle habits to support your individual health and help you feel confident & energized each and every day.
We are founded on the belief that in everything we do, we are all craving happiness and joy, and feeling great in your body is the best way to achieve it.
NOTE: the information provided on the site is for educational purposes only, and does not substitute for professional medical advice