Hormonal shifts seem to come at the most inopportune times, and with the holidays rolling in soon, they're prone to happen. Whether you're menopausal or getting ready to get your period, managing your hormones is essential for an enjoyable season.
At New England Women's Healthcare, we offer tips and treatments to help with hormonal issues like PMS, PCOS, and menopause. Our eight experienced OB/GYN doctors help you get your hormones in check just in time for the busy holiday season.
The holidays are a fun but stressful time for everyone. Between the seemingly endless parties and family get-togethers, the stress can get to you quickly. And forget about your diet – that goes out the window as soon as you have a few drinks and a slice of pie.
As a woman, your hormones are already all over the place, but the stress of the holidays only makes it worse. Cortisol is the reason for many holiday hormonal issues.
The body releases cortisol in times of stress to prepare it for the fight-or-flight response. However, the holidays bring on weeks of stress, which keeps cortisol elevated and impacts all of your hormones.
High cortisol levels inhibit your body from balancing estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, which are necessary for bodily balance. The result is sugar cravings, poor sleep, and chronic fatigue just in time for the busy season.
Knowing when your body is in hormone trouble is the key to improving how you feel. Hormone imbalances come in many forms, from thyroid issues to menopause. The common signs of a hormone issue include the following:
These symptoms may seem worse during the busy holidays, especially if you have high cortisol levels. But they may also seem bothersome if you're in perimenopause or menopause, or are PMSing before your period.
Keeping your hormones balanced, especially with the busiest time of the year approaching, is essential to feeling your best. It's not easy, but we offer the following tips to help you achieve hormone balance just in time for the holiday fun:
Exercising releases endorphins, which make you feel good, but also helps to balance your hormones. Aim to get physical activity every day, even between planning holiday parties and cooking extravagant meals.
Foods have a significant impact on your hormones, so choose a diet that focuses on hormone balance. Aim to eat foods that are high in antioxidants, healthy fats, and proteins. It's also a good idea to eat magnesium-rich foods and those high in omega-3 fatty acids.
Mindfulness techniques are a great way to reduce holiday stress and balance hormones. When you feel overwhelmed, try deep breathing techniques or meditation to calm your nerves and relax your body.
Sleep is an essential component in recharging your body and balancing hormones. Use good sleep hygiene to get as much rest as you can, about seven to eight hours at least per night.
Stress is an expected aspect of the holidays – some good and some bad. Stress overwhelms the body and ramps up cortisol production. Aim to reduce stress by prioritizing your health and happiness and saying no to things if they're too much to handle.
Contact your nearest New England Women's Healthcare office to discuss HRT and other tips with our team, or schedule an appointment online.
