I’ve struggled with hormonal imbalance since I was probably 14 years old. It’s only been recently however, that I have really tried to take an empowered approach and heal myself and my body. Did you know that we are not supposed to experience most of the uncomfortable side effects that a hormonal imbalance in our body can cause? Sleep disturbances, anxiety, excess stress, lack of energy, moodiness. There are all signs that something is off, yet we accept it as normal.
We are taught that these are just common symptoms that we all experience day to day but I am learning that they’re not. These internal signs and symptoms are information that our bodies are giving us to help steer us back on track. There are so many things we can do to create healing in this area (I am not a medical doctor so please see your physician for medical advice), and I have been researching this topic for over a year now and have found multiple ways to help myself and have seen great results.
No surprise here that I use my home as a huge support of this healing process. I am such a big believer in our environments being one of our greatest healing tools and this area is no exception. I have tried numerous things over the past year to help heal this imbalance and below are 5 ways I have been able to use my home to help me heal my hormonal imbalance.
5 ways our homes can help us heal our hormones:
Chronic Stress – this is a big one for me and many these days, I’m sure. When we are constantly feeling stressed and it carries on long term, we cause serious damage to our bodies. When our bodies work overtime to try and manage this for us, we can end up with chronic dis-ease and imbalances. Over or under active thyroids, adrenal fatigue, inconsistent insulin levels and the list goes on. Finding ways to de-stress is key and this looks different for everyone. Meditation, journaling, essentials oils, and Epsom salt baths are a few ways I de-stress. Also, talking to a friend or family member, spending time with pets, or being in nature are some other ways we can process stress. And don’t forget to breathe. This practice in itself is our most powerful healing tool.
Environmental Toxins & Chemicals – this one is huge and something I will never stop talking about. We experience so much pollution and toxic exposure in our environments that we can’t control, but we do have some choice in our homes. Cleaners, skin care products, make-up, hygiene products, food, furniture – can all contain harmful chemicals that disrupt our systems and mess with our hormones. Did you know that poor quality furniture can off-gas and leak nasty chemicals into your home? Cleaning supplies that are full of unnecessary chemicals was the first thing I removed from my home. Followed by a clean-up of all personal hygiene products like my shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, make-up, toothpaste and deodorant. Just one of these products by itself may not cause a lot of harm but all together, everyday exposing myself to them over and over and applying them on my skin, was definitely not helping. Carefully examining the ingredients in products, choosing natural and researching the sourcing of all the items we bring into our homes is important. We can’t control what happens outside our homes but can we can control what we expose ourselves and our families to inside our homes. Simply making healthier choices in this area can make a huge difference. Start small and make little changes each time you go to replace an empty item. There are some great natural products for all areas of our homes that work just as good, if not better than the chemical-ridden ones.
Sleep Hygiene – another favourite topic of mine. The quality of our sleep and how much we get on a regular basis is one of the most important, if not the most important pillar of our health. We take this one for granted so much and if you ask any health expert, they will tell you that it is the foundation of great health and wellness. Our world has conditioned us to think that sleep is optional and we can function with little amounts or poor quality and still perform and produce at a high level and anyone that has missed a day of two of sleep, knows this is simply not the case. We need sleep to repair our bodies and our hormones are no exception. Lack of sleep can cause so much damage and we can’t get that missed rest back. Finding ways to increase the amount of sleep and improve the quality of sleep that we get, is essential to great health and balanced hormones. Is your routine and your space set up to promote good sleep? What is the state of your bedroom? If you go to bed at night surrounded by clutter it could be impossible to clear your head. If you don’t have a nightly routine that you follow to tell your mind and body that it’s time to sleep, you lay down with your head spinning. There are numerous ways you can prepare yourself for a good sleep so try starting with your bedroom space. Clear the clutter, cool it down and put on some essentials oils. Get yourself some comfortable sheets and start to embrace sleep as a tool to help you live your best life instead of taking away from it. A wind down routine is key to signalling to your body that it’s time to shift gears and start to rest. This is the time of day that I do my meditation, Epsom salt baths, skin care, and journaling. Try avoiding TV and electronics and don’t fall asleep on the couch. Small changes go a long way in this department.
Nutrition – this isn’t one you haven’t heard before but for me, it was a big one. So much of our food contains toxins that can cause harm to our bodies without us even knowing. Finding ways to remove these over-processed and chemical based foods from our bodies is such an important factor when trying to heal dis-ease of any kind. Learning to read food labels, cook at home (thank you, pandemic), and becoming aware of hormone-disturbing ingredients has been key in my healing. Things like food dyes, processed sugars, MSG, and unhealthy fats all had to go. Shopping on the outside of the grocery store and only buying real, whole foods to prepare at home has made me feel so much better and given me so much more energy. Staying away from fast food, restaurant foods and anything that I can’t be certain I know the ingredients of, was difficult at first but made such a difference. Even where I get my coffee (decaf, please), had to change. I also researched hormone healing foods and supplements and introducing those into my daily routine was a bonus. Increasing my healthy fats has made the biggest difference and I no doubt eat an avocado a day now. Nuts and salmon have also made their way onto my plate and this is a huge change from the foods I used to consume daily. Not to mention all the other amazing side effects this has like improved focus, more even moods and better sleep. Our food has such an impact on our physical state and it’s one of the easiest ways for us to start healing our bodies. Not feeling inspired in the kitchen? Ask yourself how come? Is it dark, messy, cluttered or full of unhealthy and expired food items? A kitchen purge and a fridge clean out may seem like a big task but the rewards are huge. Clear out any items that don’t support clean living and eating and replace it with nutrient dense foods that will feed and fuel your body. If disorganization is the challenge, find ways to organize the cupboards and the fridge so the space works efficiently and is somewhere you want to spend time. Add a herb plant or some limes and lemons on the counter and make it an appealing space to be and eat. When we like the space we cook in, we are more likely to do it on a regular basis. Change up the mundane day-to-day routine and add some soft jazz and a candle while you cook. Have your drink in a wine glass, set the table nice and enjoy the time you are spending to care for yourself and your family in this way.
Movement – again, no surprise here but we have to move our bodies daily. Not only does this help with improving cardio vascular health, weight management and decrease dis-ease in the body, it is also one of the biggest ways to manage stress. Find an activity that works for you, this will be different for everyone. Because my cortisol levels were so high, I avoided any high-impact workouts that would increase cortisol production in my body. I opted for yin-yoga, walks with the dog in nature and small amounts of weight training (I said small amounts, I’m not perfect!). These activities allowed me to move my body while also decreasing stress and increasing enjoyment of the movement I was doing. I very much dislike doing something that I dread and am not likely to continue it if it takes away from my life instead of adds to it. Finding activities that suit you and where your body is in its healing journey is key. My girlfriend sent me a yoga series that she is doing and she is rocking it. I on the other hand, felt like I was going to pass out so it wasn’t for me. Tapping into ourselves and listening to our bodies is an important part of choosing activities that will work for you and your healing. This isn’t a comparison game, it’s a compassion game. Have compassion for yourself and your body and where you are at right now. Staying present in this practice is the healthiest thing you can do for your mind, body and spirit. With gyms being closed, this is a great way to incorporate a regular routine that can be done efficiently at home. Use the space you have, large or small. Space big enough for a yoga mat might be all you need. You can also get creative and use household items to assist you in your work out. Cans from the pantry can substitute as small weights and tea towels or hand towels can make good work out sliders if you have hard floors. Find ways to use what you have and create a space in your home to move your body. Walks around the block work too!
These may seem like simple solutions that you have heard a million times before and so had I, but it wasn’t until I actually implemented them daily and consistently that I started to notice a difference. I also relied on numerous experts, books, and research to keep me informed, educated and on the right track. Massage, acupuncture, talk therapy and time with loved ones has also been a huge part of my healing journey. Again, this is not medical advice, just simply my journey to healing and how it has helped. I now feel far less stressed, my anxiety has decreased, my skin is improving and I am a much happier, healthier human being.
I continue to prove to myself that my home is a large part of my healing and growth. I use it every day to support me, to care for me and to keep me healthy. We can’t underestimate the power that our homes and spaces have on our lives and well-being. They are certainly a piece of the puzzle and one that we can continue to work with as we proceed along our healing journeys and our overall experience of life. Love your home, use it to help you heal and be grateful for the four walls that you have.
Live well,
Cher
***this is a guide of what worked for me and not to be used as medical advice, please seek professional advice if you are struggling in this area.
