How Functional Health Helps You With Hormone Balance and Mood Balance
Navigating life after 40 comes with its unique challenges. Many women notice shifts in their energy, emotions, and overall health, and often, these changes tie back to one thing: hormones.
If you’ve ever felt like your mood and energy levels are riding a rollercoaster you didn’t sign up for, this post is for you.
Let’s explore how functional health can help you find hormone balance and mood balance so you can feel like yourself again.
The Connection Between Hormones and Mood
Hormones are like your body’s messengers, sending important signals to keep everything running smoothly. But as women reach their 40s, hormonal shifts are as common as finding gray hairs on your head. The big culprits? Estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol.
Estrogen: When levels drop, you might notice mood swings, irritability, or feelings of sadness.
Progesterone: Known as the calming hormone, a decline can leave you feeling anxious or stressed.
Cortisol: If stress isn’t managed well, this hormone can skyrocket, wreaking havoc on your mood and energy.
These changes can leave you feeling out of sorts—sometimes teary, sometimes irritable, and often exhausted.
Understanding that there’s a biological reason behind this (and that you’re not alone) is the first step toward taking back control.
One Functional Lab Test That Reveals Hormone Imbalance
When you suspect a hormonal imbalance, guessing isn’t the solution. This is where the DUTCH test (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) becomes your secret weapon.
The DUTCH test provides a detailed picture of what’s happening with your hormones. It measures levels of key hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol, along with their metabolites (how your body processes them).
With this information, an Integrative Nutritionist and Functional Health Expert (like me!) can create a customized plan to help bring your hormones back into balance.
Getting the results of your DUTCH test is like turning on the lights in a dark room—you finally see the root cause of your symptoms and can address them effectively.
3 Tips to Achieve Hormone Balance
Balancing your hormones doesn’t have to involve a complete life overhaul. Small, intentional changes can make a big difference.
1. Prioritize Sleep: Your body does some of its best hormone regulation while you’re asleep. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and free from distractions.
2. Eat for Hormonal Health: Focus on foods rich in healthy fats, lean proteins, and fiber. Avocados, wild-caught salmon, and leafy greens are your friends. Also, cut back on sugar and processed foods—they can send your hormones into a frenzy.
3. Manage Stress with Intention: Cortisol is highly responsive to stress. Practice mindfulness, yoga, or even just deep breathing exercises. Taking 10 minutes a day to focus on relaxation can help lower cortisol levels and support hormone balance.
3 Tips to Achieve Mood Balance
Once your hormones start finding their groove, your mood will follow. Here are a few specific ways to keep your emotions steady:
1. Move Your Body: Exercise doesn’t just tone your muscles; it releases endorphins, the feel-good chemicals in your brain. Whether it’s a walk, yoga, or dance party in your kitchen, moving daily helps stabilize your mood.
2. Supplement Wisely: Sometimes, your body needs a little extra help. Supplements like magnesium, omega-3s, and adaptogenic herbs (like ashwagandha) can support both mood and hormone health. But I don’t recommend you take supplements without a personalized recommendation by your healthcare professional or a Functional Health Expert like me…after you’ve taken the DUTCH test and have your results. You don''t want to take supplements that your body doesn’t really need!
3. Build Connection: Isolation can magnify mood struggles. Whether it’s spending time with friends, joining a community group, or working with a health coach, human connection is powerful for mental well-being.
Benefits of Hormone Balance and Mood Balance
When your hormones and mood are in harmony, life feels lighter, clearer, and more manageable.
Here are some of the benefits you can look forward to:
Better energy levels: No more 3 p.m. crashes or struggling to get through the day.
Improved focus: With balanced hormones, brain fog becomes a thing of the past.
Stable emotions: Say goodbye to unpredictable mood swings and hello to emotional resilience.
Stronger relationships: Feeling more like yourself allows you to connect better with loved ones.
Healthier body: Balanced hormones support weight management, better skin, and even improved sleep.
Hormone and mood balance doesn’t just improve your health—it enhances your entire quality of life.
Get Started: Take the DUTCH Test
Ready to feel better? The DUTCH test is your first step toward reclaiming hormone balance and mood balance.
As a Functional Health Expert, I’ll guide you through the process, interpret your results, and create a personalized plan to help you feel your best.
Stop guessing and start addressing the root cause of your symptoms!
Let’s work together to create a customized plan that fits your lifestyle and goals. You deserve to feel amazing—and together, we’ll make it happen.
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