How Stress Is Impacting Your Hormones
Chronic stress can lead to hormonal imbalances that can have a big impact on your quality of life. Stress causes your nervous system to go into fight, flight and then freeze (when we feel threatened or ready to fight for survival). Interestingly, this is often triggered throughout the day – it can be a real or perceived threat.
Stress increases adrenaline, your heartbeat quickens, you begin to breath faster, your pupils dilate, blood glucose rises, muscles tense and non-essential function like your digestion and immune system shut down to allow for this ‘emergency situation’. Imagine what this is doing to your body long-term?.. it’s no wonder that stress literally impacts every stem of the body. Ongoing stress disturbs your sleep, the stability of your mind, your digestive system, reproductive hormones, liver health and your weight.
HOW STRESS IS AFFECTING YOUR HORMONES
Chronic stress can lead to hormonal imbalances that can have a big impact on your quality of life. When you are experiencing stress (real or perceived) then your nervous system goes on autopilot which is your fight or flight response. Ongoing stress disturbs your sleep, the stability of your mind, your digestive system, nervous system, liver health and your weight.
SLEEP
When we are stressed our sleep is disturbed. It may be difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep or feel refreshed in the morning. Our quality of sleep has a ripple effect about the food and lifestyle choices we make throughout the day and also how we treat ourselves and others.
How do you feel when you wake up first thing in the morning? What are you thinking about as soon as you wake?
Do you wake feeling lethargic, reactive and reaching for that coffee first thing to wake you up?
or
Do you rise feeling energetic, refreshed and excited about the day?
When your sleep is balanced it is deep and satisfying. You wake refreshed and feel a sense of anticipation and excitement for the day.
There’s no judgement about your answer. It’s really about acknowledging where you are at and then taking the steps to improve your quality of sleep and your life.
MIND
Long term stress can result in mood swings, irritability, frustrations, anger, anxiety and depression. When you are stressed you are ready to blame and shame others as well as yourself.
Doing too much - when we are trying to do too much we always feel like we have too little time. We have this ongoing discomfort that we can’t do what we want to do.
We become stagnant – when you are in a state of overwhelm, running at a pace where there is no time to be still, to turn inwards and make decisions with purpose then sometimes even though you are always achieving and DOING there is no real expansion. We are in a place of surviving not thriving.
When we allow ourselves the space to become STILL, to FEEL what is the next right choice and then to take INSPIRED ACTION we then begin to gain positive momentum and make choices that enhance, enrich our life and that of others.
DIGESTION
When stressed the body stops peristalsis (wave like motion that propels food through the digestive system) and moves energy away from digestion and towards gearing for fight and flight. Often stress can lead to conditions such as IBS, IBD, SIBO, loose stools and constipation. The way in which we eat can also lead to problems with digestion:
When we eat for nourishment and to appease our appetites through good food choices and eating habits (being mindful, chewing food properly, eating local, organic, seasonal, fresh), appropriate portion sizes, eating three meals per day. We feel good and our digestion improves.
NERVOUS SYSTEM
Stress causes your nervous system to go into fight, flight and then freeze (when we feel threatened or ready to fight for survival). Interestingly, this is often triggered throughout the day – it can be a real or perceived threat. It increases adrenaline, your heartbeat quickens, you begin to breath faster, your pupils dilate, blood glucose rises, muscles tense and non-essential function like your digestion and immune system shut down to allow for this ‘emergency situation’. Imagine what this is doing to your body long-term?.. it’s no wonder that stress literally impacts every stem of the body.
REPRODUCTIVE HORMONES
Cortisol is released by the adrenal glands during times of stress. When cortisol is elevated for prolonged amounts of time (due to a stressful job, a busy household, demanding life, excess caffeine, processed foods, blood sugar dysregulation, bright lights at night time, over exposure to screens and laptops after 9pm) then it starts to have a direct impact on our hormonal health.
Cortisol and Progesterone
Cortisol directly affects our progesterone levels (the hormone that is released after ovulation and helps sustain the first trimester of pregnancy). The ingredients that the body uses to make progesterone are shunted away to make cortisol in times of elevated stress (it makes sense – that in a state of emergency when our very existence is threatened and we need to flee, then the body will prioritise survival over reproduction). So if you are not bringing down your cortisol levels and reducing stress then it may be likely you’re your menstrual cycle is irregular or even absent.
Cortisol and Insulin
Cortisol also has a direct impact on insulin. These two hormones work together, and when cortisol is increased, insulin also increases. High insulin can lead to insulin resistance and also signals to the ovaries to produce more of the hormone testosterone. Elevated testosterone is associated with conditions such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
LIVER HEALTH
If your liver is stressed it is less efficient at regulating blood glucose. You may feel more fatigued and in turn crave sugar and refined carbs.
Stress directly impacts the inflammatory process in the body (think more pain, aches, weight gain).
Stress also plays a significant role in compromising the immune system as liver cells aren’t replaced if under constant stress. Stress and fear weaken your immune system and you may be less resilient to bugs going around.
WEIGHT
If stress leads to a sluggish liver then this can result in high cholesterol, hormonal imbalances and weight gain. The liver is responsible for preparing the hormone oestrogen to be broken down and eliminated in the body. When this doesn’t work properly then oestrogen dominance can occur and this can lead to weight gain.
So, what can you do about it?
Identify the causes of your stress
Reclaim your present moment
Engage in regular, joyful exercise
Practice good eating and lifestyle habits that stop the stress cycle
Limit your sensory input to stressful and negative information – news, dramas, tv shows. What’s the quality of information that you are exposing yourself to. Your body and mind had to ingest this information and then process it. Make sure that it makes you laugh, brings you joy or enriches you in some way.
I delve further into how to reduce stress in my next blog. I am passionate about helping you make the everyday choices and lifestyle practices that can carry you through life that will make you feel vibrant, energetic and that you are really thriving not merely surviving.
I’ll support and guide you through the steps that you have been seeking. I’ll show you the important dietary habits and lifestyle practices that will truly nourish, nurture and balance your health. Together we will take you from chaos to calm.
I’m ready to help.
Love Tori xx
Click here to book an appointment
I am a naturopath, clinical nutritionist, mother, nature lover, and yoga enthusiast – just to name a few of my passions. I’m a degree-qualified naturopath, and I help women have more rich and fertile lives. I have a passion for helping women restore balance to their hormones, connect with their fertility and lead epic vibrant lives. Learn more about how you can work with me here.