Women’s hormones are a delicate and amazing rhythmic dance of communication and balance. Every month our bodies prepare for creation- it’s really a miracle. Each part of the monthly cycle has its own hormonal cues, associated physiological changes, emotions and needs. Unfortunately, so many woman aren’t educated enough in what their reproductive rhythms are telling them to realize that there is a wealth of knowledge about their health lying right in the pelvic bowl.
When you are balanced and in tune with your hormones and their messages you can actually begin to navigate your life with much more grace, creativity and power. You will understand what your body needs in regards to diet, exercise, stimulation and rest. Your emotions will no longer control your life- you will be in control of your life when you can distinguish hormone fluctuations and their signals from other emotions and imbalances in your body.
I realize that I may be painting a fantasy for those of you who have struggled with hormonal imbalances and painful periods most of your life. But you can tune in and change your relationship with your hormones. It does take work but anything worth doing does. As your hormones begin to balance it will all just become simple self-care (if you remember what that is). Give yourself the gift of this year as, depending on what state your hormones are in, these changes can take time.
The 10 Best Things for Your Hormones
Stop Birth Control Pills~ (even if it is just for 3 months to see how your body responds). For those of you who follow me you know how I feel about hormonal birth control. Many women take hormonal birth control to ease PMS and menstrual symptoms. You may feel better but I guarantee you that until you address the reason your hormones were a mess in the first place you will not get better. In fact other symptoms that you may not even relate to hormones may start to emerge- like digestive problems, fatigue and joint pain. Coming off of birth control is a very personal decision and you will need guidance and support to get your body balanced. This journey is worth the short term learning curve and discomfort.
Fix Your Digestion~ You will hear it again and again for good reason “it all starts in the gut”. Without proper absorption of nutrients and elimination of toxins your body’s hormonal cues will be thrown off. Your liver plays a vital role in breaking down hormones to be carried out in our waste control systems. If you cannot rid your body of the excess hormones floating around then that delicate feedback loop gets confused. Did you know that estrogen reduces gut motility? Then there is the issue of gut permeability and malabsorption (aka leaky gut) so nutrients aren’t getting broken down and instead entering your system in a way that puts stress on the body. This constant stress eventually causes hormonal imbalance and in many cases adrenal issues.
Switch Over to Organic~ There are so many opinions out there around if organic is necessary or some overpriced food fad. When it comes to your hormones organic matters. The chemicals, antibiotics and pesticides used in non-organic, commercially grown and processed foods have xenoestrogens in them creating an estrogen-like overload on your system. Your liver also takes a hard hit as it tries to process all of the toxins you are consuming. Most important to have organic is your meat, all greens, roots, berries and anything with a thin skin. It is a wonder why our young women are starting their menses as early as 8 years old.
De-estrogenize Your Home~ So you begin to clean up the inside with better foods but you are still drenching yourself and your home in chemicals and, yes again, xenoestrogens. Your skin is your largest organ and absorbs everything it comes into contact with. The beauty products you use contain large amounts of chemicals to allow them to stay soft, shiny, smooth, liquidy and fresh. A UK study showed that women who use makeup absorb 5 pounds of extra chemicals into their body per year! The major culprits: phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfates, all parabens, anolamines (DEA, TEA, MEA), petroleum (bye bye vasoline). Again, less is best. Simple coconut oil has many uses. And, there is amazing natural makeup on the market now. Just as important are your household cleaning products. There are many DIY sites for amazing cleaning products. Baking soda and white vinegar both do wonders for almost anything.
Have More Orgasms~ See there is a silver lining to fixing your hormones. Sex is very good for you. And, I mean the safe and enriching kind with someone you really connect with. We are talking about the reproductive system and in order to spark that reproducing nature you need to fuel the fire a bit. No partner? Creating that intimate connection with yourself is very nuturing and is necessary to have a healthy relationship with your hormones. Did you know orgasms reduce stress?- of course you did.
Get 3-4 Maya Abdominal Therapy sessions~ The reason I became a Certified Arvigo Maya Abdominal Practitioner was from personal experience in the transformation these sessions created in connecting me with my feminine side, my hormonal rhythms and deepening my self-love. The abdomen is a gateway to so many layers emotionally and physiologically especially when it involves our sexual/reproductive functioning. By engaging the energy and addressing any misalignments and stagnation of the uterus and other abdominal organs we can begin to re-awaken the body’s natural ability to heal. Read more…
Connect with Nature~ There is a Japanese term, shinrin-yoku, that means “forest bathing”- yes please!. Women are rhythmic beings as we cycle with the moon and the Universal tides. Throughout history women have traditionally been the healers in tribes and villages creating healing concoctions from Mother Earth’s treasures. It is our calling to connect to nature and root into her magic. Nature is also a natural anti-depressant as it pulls stress off the body. It doesn’t take much- even 5 minutes of noticing a flower, tree and sunset is a start.
Drink Nettle Tea~ You all know I love my nettle infusions. Nettle is a super food in my opinion as it is full of minerals and iron (more than spinach and most all leafy greens). It has a variety of uses, but most important here is its use a reproductive tonic. It helps alleviate PMS and menopausal symptoms and I find it works wonders for women with fibroids due to its effects on inflammation. It also nourishes the kidneys and supports liver detoxification. I like to make infusions as I feel the fresh dried herb is the best quality, and I also just prefer to make my own “medicine” when I can. You can get nettle in tincture and capsule form if being an at-home herbalist is too daunting.
Dance~ Inside all of us is a dancer. I have seen the magic of dance transform women of all ages as I join my BaDi class here in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood a few times per week. You do not have to be professional, or even have much rhythm. Moving your hips and expressing your innermost passions, desires and emotions will surely have an effect on your female rhythms. Try belly dancing, NIA, a beginning ballet class or an ecstatic dance class. If you commit to dancing your divine feminine will surely awaken.
Sleep~ A study conducted by MedScape Neurology showed that restricted sleep, meaning 6.5 hours or less per night, reduced thyroid function and growth hormone and increased evening cortisol. Increased cortisol alone will result in reproductive hormone imbalance not to mention your body’s ability to manage insulin and blood sugar levels. We need to rest and repair every system in the body and it is imperative that if you are dealing with hormonal imbalance and daily fatigue that you get at least 7-8 hours of shut eye per night. Turn off the Facebook and shut down your brain at least 30 minutes before you go to bed. Your life and your hormones literally depend on this.
A year flies by and to think that if you had only started even a little of this journey in your hormone health last year where you would be now. Have this be the year your hormonal symphony gives you a rhythm you can really groove to.
As always- I am here for you… Get a little guidance with a 30 Minute Power Session (January only)– SUPER NEW YEAR SPECIAL
Learn to Listen to Your Gut