Is stress causing you weight gain? 5 ways to balance your hormones

How are you feeling? Stressed?Teneille Newton, naturopath and Eagle Natural Health Education Specialist, shares her advice

But you’re not alone. Most of us – around eight out of ten Australians – are feeling the strain of everyday life,[i]whether it’s due to finances, family issues, or health.

This constant stress has a knock-on effect on our health, both physically and mentally. Because cortisol, our main stress hormone, increases as a response to feeling threatened and stays elevated to help our mind and body cope.Our hormones play an integral role in our body’s functions as part of our endocrine system, as they’re the chemical messengers in your blood that control many important functions. While some stress can be good for us,[ii] extended or repeated stressful circumstances can affect our health.

Prolonged stress can cause:

• poor memory and lack of concentration
• poor sleep
• fatigue and exhaustion
• nervous tension and mild anxiety
• low immunity
• advanced aging

In Summary there are ways to rebalance our hormones by reducing the impact of stress in our lives:

Get some sleep

Take a walk

Exercising, especially in nature, has been shown to help reduce your stress levels.[iv] Just thirty minutes a day can help you relax, and improve your mood.[v]

Eat your greens

If you have an excess of hormones in your body. As a result your liver may need some support in breaking these down. Eating broccoli, cabbage, kale and cauliflower can help support this process.

Take supplements

Ashwagandha is a herb known for its psychological and physiological benefits, and has been shown to improve the body’s stress response and support healthy cortisol levels.[vi] Taking Adreno Restore Plus which contains KSM-66 Ashwagandha may help.

Meditate

Try mindfulness meditation to help reduce your cortisol levels and to give your mind and body a break from its constant dialogue.[vii]

Ask your health professional if a supplement would be useful for you. Always read the label.  Use only as directed.  If symptoms persist consult your healthcare professional.  Vitamin supplements should not replace a balanced diet.