Affect hormones
Finally feel good again
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First cheering, then saddened to death – our hormones have a pretty big impact on our lives. So you can steer it in your favor!
Sometimes it’s bewitched: You just thought you had everything under control – and then suddenly everything grows over your head. Burst of tears included. And who is to blame? In many cases our hormones. They control all possible processes in our body and also have a tremendous influence on our mood. The following applies: If the hormones are in balance, we usually also feel relaxed, in a good mood and balanced. If this balance gets mixed up, we can fall into a deep hole, are stressed and depressed, suffer from insomnia and on top of that we are annoyed by bad skin.
Stress kills happiness
It is particularly difficult for the body to maintain a good hormonal balance when we are under stress. Because then the stress hormone cortisol is increasingly released, which can cause many unspecific symptoms – which we sometimes cannot interpret correctly. This can be increased inner restlessness or sleep disturbances at night, a nervous stomach or poor digestion. It has also been proven that prolonged stress can promote weight gain and torpedo attempts to lose weight.
What does stress do to our hormones?
Constant stress also reduces our organism to the minimum – an evolutionary protective reaction that is supposed to ensure that we divide our strengths and do not fall too quickly into a state of exhaustion. The problem: This messes up the hormonal balance – the stress makes us sleep worse, we are less fit and have difficulty concentrating.
In addition to cortisol, there are of course other hormones that affect our well-being. These include, for example Endorphins that make you happy, insulin, which also controls our feeling of hunger, the sleep hormone melatonin and the sex hormones progesterone and estrogen. After all: we are not completely at the mercy of this hormone cocktail – with a few little tricks you can even influence your hormones in your favor.
This is how you do good for your hormones
1. Movement
Sounds strange to many people who don’t like sports, but: Sport makes you happy, because it ensures that more of the happy endorphins are released. However, you shouldn’t do your workout in the late evening. Because this ensures an increased release of stress hormones, which in turn can lead to poorer sleep.
2. Sleep
Speaking of sleep: Hardly anything is as important for a healthy and happy life as getting enough sleep! Sleep ensures that our body can regenerate and that we are rested the next day. That is why it makes sense to give the sleep hormone melatonin a little help – by specifically putting the body into sleep mode. Sleep rituals, for example, help, and we should turn off cell phones, PCs and the like at least one hour before going to bed – The blue-wave light emanating from the devices inhibits melatonin production. We should also avoid eating too heavy meals in the evening – because then the gastrointestinal tract is busy with digestion for a long time, which can disrupt sleep.
3. Prebiotics
Ever heard of the term “abdominal brain”? This is no coincidence – in fact, our intestines are closely linked to our emotional center and can upset the hormonal balance if it does not get the nutrients it needs. Then he reacts, for example, with sluggish digestion or unspecific abdominal pain. A healthy intestinal flora consists of certain bacteria – and these in turn can best multiply and grow thanks to so-called prebiotics. This is a specific group of fiber found in asparagus, garlic, onions, artichokes and bananas, among others. We should consume at least five grams of prebiotics every day in order to support the intestines – and thus the hormone balance – as best as possible.
4. Relaxation
Since stress is the ultimate hormone balance killer, it is particularly important to avoid long-term stress or at least reduce it. To do this, many people have to learn to take time for themselves and to give up responsibility from time to time – The main thing is that you listen to yourself and your body! If you feel like it’s all too much, then there is probably something to it too. So create space for more me-time and also dare to talk about it if you feel that you need support.
5. Skin care
Almost every woman knows the problem: As the period approaches, small pimples suddenly sprout everywhere, the skin reddens and becomes dry. The reason is the interplay between the hormones estrogen and progesterone: the estrogen level drops in the second half of the cycle, at the same time more sebum is produced, which can lead to skin impurities. Correct and, above all, regular skin care can help here. Light moisturizers are ideal, especially in the second half of the cycle – but make sure that the products are not greasy, as this can clog the pores. Extra tip: Those who use make-up sparingly during this time are doing their stressed skin a big favor.
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