1. Keep Stress Levels Low
Studies show that women who participate in a daily meditation oryoga experience less hormonal swings than those who do not mediate stress in some fashion. Rest is also important. Many women have such hectic lifestyles that they give their body little time to re-adjust from life’s demands. This disrupts the natural hormones cycles in women. Find small ways to incorporate rest and relax throughout the day.
2. Get Enough Sleep at Night
Sleep is when our body recovers from any imbalance it may have suffered throuought the day. Lack of sleep swings hormones into over-drive. If possible, try to go to bed by 9pm every night. If 9pm doesn’t work for your schedule, try to get at least 8 hours of sleep every night.
3. Maintain a Healthy Diet
Try to incorporate more fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, plus an abundance of raw nuts andseeds into your diet. Foods such as processed carbohydrates, fried foods, soft drinks, enriched flour, processed vegetable oil and soy products may alter the delicate balance of the hormones. Also, avoid non-organic dairy products which may contain harmful bovine growth hormones, steroids and antibiotics. These wreak havoc on a woman’s system.
4. Eat More Omega-3 Fatty Acids
These fats act to create responsive and healthy cell membranes, allowing hormones to adhere to the cell more easily. Omega-3 fatty acids also aid the body in keeping the cellular receptor sites (where hormones bind) repaired and in optimal condition. Consider eating more foods with omega-3′s or taking 500 mg of a high quality organic oil, such as hempseed, flaxseed or olive oil.
5. Avoid Caffeine
It’s been shown that stimulants, such as caffeine, cause the adrenal gland to over-produce hormones. Try to cut-down or cut-out your intake of anything with caffeine in it. This may be hard to do for some folks, but the less caffeine you drink, the better off you are.
6. Exercise Frequently
Incorporate at least 30 minutes of exercise, three times a week, into your routine. It is important to find a routine that you can stick to on a consistent basis.
7. Let the Sunshine In
Giving your body a healthy dose of full spectrum sunlight can help stabilize hormones. Get out and take a walk around the block a couple of times a week. This will help get you the exercise you need, as well as the sunshine your body craves.
8. Take Herbal Supplements Known to Balance Hormones
Examples include saw palmetto, dandelion, motherwort, wild yam, or blessed thistle. Hemp tree has also been known to effectively balance hormones in the case of PMS, menstrual cramps and breast pain. Chaste Tree Berry has been shown to balance the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus. Evening primrose oil is very high in essential fatty acids and is particularly indicated for hormonal imbalance related to PMS symptoms.
Dong Quai, Asian Ginseng and Ashwagandha are commonly used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine to balance hormone excesses or deficits. Ashwagandha has the unique ability of being able to better the functioning of the receptor sites allowing hormones to more easily bind to our cells. Licorice and Black Cohosh have also been shown to raise progesterone levels. Studies on the adaptogenic herb, Rhodiola, has shown to better thyroid function, improve immune function and aid the body in adapting to stress.
9. Take a Quality Vitamin/Mineral Supplement
Taking a good quality vitamin and mineral supplement will also help balance your hormones naturally. Make sure it contains vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium, magnesium and the full spectrum of B complex vitamins. I would personally recommend takingIntraMAX, because it’s the best vitamin you’re going to find, but any reputable vitamin and mineral supplement should work fine.
Have I missed anything? Is there something you do to help balance your hormones naturally? If so, please let me know in the comments below!
by: http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/balance-your-hormones-naturally/
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