As we get older, our bodies change. But as a woman, that shouldn’t feel like a punishment or force you to slow you down. We want to bring you some comforting tips for dealing with your hormones in a way that supports you and helps you feel good.
Here are the 6 tips you need to take back control of your changing hormones:
Tip #1: Food for Hormones
The best medicine is preventative, and the most preventative medicine is found in the food that you eat. Eating good fats, complex carbohydrates, and protein will provide your body with the nutrients it needs and will keep your hormone levels under control. Also, have plenty of fruits and vegetables at every meal. It’s best to eat three meals a day and two or more snacks to keep your blood sugar stable. And reduce carbohydrates, especially refined carbohydrates and sugars.
Tip #2: Spirulina
This blue-green algae comes from lakes and ponds and contains large amounts of calcium, magnesium, and potassium. These essential hormone-balancing nutrients will reduce cramps, mood problems, breast tenderness, and overall inflammation.
Tip#3: Herbs
Supplement with herbs. Herbs are miraculous because they share a similar molecular structure to our hormones, allowing them to support our hormone production by slowing them down. Some herbs that can help reduce menopause symptoms include St. John’s Wort, Black Cohosh, Passionflower, Chasteberry, Wild Yam, Ashwagandha, and Vitex. Vitex has been shown to help myriad PMS symptoms including irritability, depressed mood, anger, headache, bloating, breast fullness, skin disorder, fatigue, drowsiness, and sleeplessness. Vitex is most effective taken as a tincture, but is also useful when included in medicinal herbal teas.
Tip #4: Stay Active
Be active. Because of your fluctuating estrogen levels, your body will tend to hold on to fat. Additionally, fat actually produces estrogen, which can create even more fat. So it’s easy to get stuck in a frustrating cycle if you’re not active. Moving your body has a major impact on your weight, other menopausal symptoms, and your overall health. Gentle exercise can be helpful too, especially if your adrenal glands are overworked and you constantly feel fatigued. Movement is also medicine so find an activity you enjoy, and then be consistent.
Tip #5: For the Hot Flashes
Keep the hot flashes at bay. Those up and down hormones cause you to feel hot out of nowhere, so be prepared. Be sure to drink a lot of water, so the heat doesn’t tax your system. Also be sure to stock up on our Pure Eucalyptus Oil ShowerMist that you can either spray into the steam of the shower to invigorate you or for you to spray around your body as the hot flashes hit. Eucalyptus is cooling and calming; the perfect helper to this crazy season.
Tip #6: Maca
Maca is a tuber plant native to South America. It’s an excellent superfood for hormonal imbalances like menopause and PMS. Maca is extremely high in calcium, potassium, iron, fiber, and protein. Maca creates balance by regulating the hormones via the hypothalamus and pituitary glands in the brain. This can help with symptoms like hot flashes, low libido, and PMS.
(Note: Maca should not be consumed by women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), as it may have a subtle androgenic (testosterone-boosting) effect.)
You don’t have to suffer through the changes. Just learn to support them.