So many people only think about the root causes of health issues when they are exasperated, exhausted, or even embarrassed. I’ve found as a naturopathic physician that these root causes are what we must discover to truly solve the “why” behind the issues we are experiencing. And throughout the last two decades, I’ve helped thousands of patients get to the root cause and improve their self-care, lifestyle, health, and skin.
One root cause that pops up frequently is hormonal imbalance. After my book, Clean Skin From Within, was published, many women expressed an interest in the connection between their hormones, skin, and aging. It was then that I realized that many of these women didn’t understand the connection between their skin and hormones.
Your hormones must be in balance to achieve radiant health, a strong body, and glowing skin, as they are all connected. Even if just one hormone is off, it can throw your entire system out of balance. Luckily, there are positive actions you can take to achieve hormonal harmony.
How We Disrupt Our Hormones
Our modern-day lifestyles have a big impact on hormonal balance. We may not even notice that simple actions we take daily are impacting our hormones. For example, most of us have a smartphone that emits blue light. When we’re exposed to too much blue light, it can impact melatonin production, the hormone that is critical to maintaining our natural and healthy circadian rhythms.
That’s only one example. Everything we do has the chance to impact our hormones. Eating, sleep, stress, exercise, what we put on our bodies, what we put in our bodies – even our relationships – can impact our hormones. And when we aren’t balanced, these hormones can decrease our quality of life. We fall out of hormonal harmony.
The many endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) found in skin care products today are one of the main reasons I created The Spa Dr. skin care line. My three main criteria were:
- Free of hormone-disrupting chemicals and toxins
- Contain key nutrients in their pure, active form
- Perfectly pH-balanced for healthy skin
The issue is that when EDCs are absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream, they can negatively influence many functions of the endocrine system. Many people do not realize the true impact of EDCs on our skin. Avoiding parabens, oxybenzone (used in sunscreens), and synthetic fragrances are some of the best ways to avoid hormone disruptors.
4 Steps to Achieve Hormonal Harmony
So what can you do to balance your hormones? It’s important to acknowledge that there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to hormones. You are unique – and the state of your hormones right now is unique to you.
1. Get adequate sleep
One of the best ways to achieve hormonal harmony is to sleep more. I love to help women get back to achieving a healthy night of rest! When we sleep well, we wake up feeling refreshed. Our outlook is better, and we’re more motivated to eat nourishing foods, exercise regularly, and practice other healthy habits. And an added bonus – when we sleep well, our skin looks more radiant and vibrant. To get better rest, avoid caffeine at least six hours before bedtime, avoid alcohol, and reduce your exposure to blue light before bed.
2. Reduce sugar
Throughout my 20+ years of practice, I’ve seen hundreds of patients struggle with sugar. I’ve also seen them restore their health and hormones by kicking sugar to the curb. Unfortunately, sugar can have a big impact on our hormones and food choices. It’s addictive, and it’s so easy to get stuck in a vicious cycle of craving and quitting sugar. It doesn’t help that most food – if it is not fresh and raw – has sugar added to it. It’s essential to read the label. This doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself now and then! The key is balance.
3. Minimize toxin exposure
Toxic chemicals are often hormone disruptors and are a burden on the body. Some toxins are stored by the body more easily than others, causing toxin levels to increase. This is the fast road to looking and feeling older than we really are. For example, in the skin, free radicals from too many toxins can damage collagen, the most abundant structural protein in your skin. The result of this is sagging, dullness, and uneven skin tone. Minimizing toxin exposure in your beauty products, your home, and your food can help support healthy hormones.
4. Manage stress
Another way to achieve hormonal harmony is to reduce stress. I know this one is easier said than done. It’s impossible to escape stress. The good news is that there are many things within your control that can help you greatly reduce stressful feelings. Exercise is a top way to reduce stress. But some other methods of stress relief include practicing breathwork, meditating, and keeping a gratitude journal.
Another way to relieve stress is to minimize your personal to-do list. Many of us pile so many things on our plates that it’s hard to get to all of them. Then when we don’t complete everything on our list, we feel bad about ourselves. Give yourself permission to make that list smaller, dedicate time to what you really love and must do, and ultimately experience less stress.
Although these aren’t the only ways to achieve hormonal balance, all of these tips can have a big impact on your hormonal balance and point you in the direction of achieving hormonal harmony.
Hormones, Health and Harmony
In my 9 part docuseries, Hormones, Health and Harmony, I interview 50 experts on the subject of women’s health and hormones. In each episode, you’ll learn the surprising myths and truths behind achieving hormonal balance and correcting hormonal imbalance – and what you can actually do to take control of your health once and for all.
You’ll learn about why it’s so hard for women to get real answers from their doctors, find out why birth control pills and antidepressants can actually make your health issues worse, and real solutions to live your most vibrant life.
I can’t wait for you to see it and discover the true impact of hormones on your skin and your health.