A hormonal imbalance can affect your life in terms of appetite, energy, mood, and overall health. While factors like aging may not be in your control, there are some things such as stress and diet that you can manipulate to influence your hormone levels.
Hormones, circulated by the endocrine system, are useful in performing various bodily functions throughout the day. Even the smallest change in your hormone levels can have a severe impact on your overall wellbeing. If you leave it to its own devices, then your symptoms will only get worse with time and culminate into more serious issues.
However, luckily for you, simple lifestyle changes can be helpful in restoring your hormone levels.
Here are some things you can do.
Get plenty of sleep
Sleep plays a huge role in regulating your body’s hormonal balance. According to a study, sleep disturbance can have a significant impact on your hormones that can lead to issues like obesity, diabetes, appetite, etc. Therefore, it is very important to get a full night’s sleep to help your body regulate hormones.
Avoid overexposure to light at night
Blue light emitted from your devices such as cell phones and computer screens can interfere with your circadian rhythm. Light from your electronic devices can trick your body into believing that it is still day and adjust your hormones accordingly, making you feel sleepless at night.
Therefore, you should eliminate all sources of bright artificial light that confuses the body and suppresses the melatonin which can negatively affect your body functions.
Manage your stress
According to experts in Women’s Health, there is a scientific link between stress and the endocrine system. The researchers explain that even low-level stress can cause your body to release cortisol and adrenaline levels that can interfere with the overall hormonal balance and contribute to cardiovascular issues, obesity, and mood. To avoid that, you should consider managing your stress with the help of spa treatments, massage, meditation, etc.
Exercise regularly
Regular exercise can prevent you from overeating and also make you feel more energetic. Scientific journals claim that even short sessions of exercise can help regulate hormones that control appetite. It is also a good practice if you want to maintain your body’s metabolism, prevent type 2 diabetes, reduce the risk of insulin resistance, etc.
Avoid consuming too much sugar
There has been ample research claiming that sugar must be eliminated from your diet if you want to maintain the hormonal balance and keep insulin in check. Researchers also explained that all types of sugar, including honey, must be avoided.
Include helpful fats in your diet
Olive oil helps in maintaining the hormonal balance that can impact your appetite and digestion. Healthy fats contain medium-chain fatty acids that regulate the cells responsible for the body’s response to insulin. Another study found that olive may also stimulate the digestion of fat and protein that can help in regulating the hormonal balance.
Consume more fiber-rich foods
Fiber plays a huge role in preserving your gut health and may also help regulate hormones responsible for insulin. Scientists explain that there are some types of fiber that work to balance other types of hormones too, helping the person maintain healthy body weight.
Eat more fatty fish
High levels of fat found in some fish can be good for your heart and digestive health. They may also work wonders on your central nervous system as well as your brain. According to a recent study, a diet enriched with oily fish can also prevent mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, etc. It is the perfect natural solution to mood swings caused by hormonal imbalances.
Avoid overeating
One of the biggest reasons for metabolic disorders steams from overeating. Not regulating your diet and eating unhealthy foods in massive quantities can lead to oxidative stress. The researchers explain that overeating can increase ceramides, fat cells under the skin that can encourage your body’s resistance to insulin. Even though further research is required, it is safe to say that overeating is bad for general health.
Drink green tea instead of regular tea
There are many noted benefits of green tea such as increased metabolic health. This beverage comes highly recommended as it helps manage oxidative stress due to the presence of antioxidants and helpful compounds.
Quit smoking
Smoking can singlehandedly wreak havoc on your hormones. A study claims that smoking can stimulate pituitary hormones and increase the level of cortisol, a hormone linked to stress.
Hormonal imbalance is quickly becoming a lifestyle disorder due to poor diet, sedentary life, and lack of exercise. However, by implementing these lifestyle changes, you will be able to overcome the stress on your body and lead a healthy life.