Stress, Weight Gain & Hormone Imbalance

I’m not sure about you, but I never realized that these 3 things were linked! I’m starting to see more clearly now and will be making it my New Year’s Resolution to work on ALL THREE!

I want to be happy and healthy but I also want to look at myself and be confident in what I see! That doesn’t just mean the way I look, although that is important for me, but I want to look in the mirror and see a genuine smile! I’m not unhappy or depressed, but I could definitely be happier and less stressed with what life throws at me on a daily basis! I want to be able to control my anger at the most stressful times as well as not get so easily aggravated during these times. I want to figure out a way for me to ask my children nicely to do things and not yell when they don’t. I want mood swings at bay when the stress is too much to handle…..

With all that being said, I’m positive that many other people feel the same way! No one wants these things but we get roped in sometimes because, well….. LIFE HAPPENS! For me, the everyday stresses of having a family (that includes a husband, 2 children (one tween boy and one 6, going on 13 year old girl, 2 crazy dogs and a cat that likes to party all night long!!!) leaves me feeling like I got run over by a bus on a daily basis! Add in other stresses of working full time while trying to get my business off and running as well as having a husband that is doing the same, can really stick a knife in my stomach sometimes and leave me feeling like crawling into a hole and not coming out!!!!

I AM MAKING IT MY PERSONAL MISSION to get my stress lowered, my hormones balanced and my weight under control! I will be trying several things but here are a few that I’m trying now, as we speak:

1. Ashwagandha
2. Matcha Tea
3. Exercise
4. TAKING SCHEDULED ME TIME

If these don’t work I will try other things but I have a great feeling about this path and excited to see what happens next!

Before I talk about why I’m choosing these things, let’s talk a little about the link between stress, weight gain and hormone imbalance!

When we are under stress the Adrenal Glands and the Sympathetic Nervous System kick in and go into “fight or flight” mode. The adrenal glands produce hormones like cortisol and adrenaline to help us deal with stress. The sympathetic nervous system allows us to use more energy and increase blood supply when stress levels are up. Once things calm down both systems “shut off” or tone done significantly, however, if we are consistently under stress they are permanently turned on. The problems and symptoms that come from this are:

1. weight gain
2. adrenal fatigue
3. thyroid function
4. hormonal imbalance
5. low energy
6. poor sleep
7. high cholesterol
8. leaky gut (this will be an entirely different blog article coming up)
9. erratic menstrual cycles
10. MUCH MORE…

So, as you can see, if you are consistently under a lot of stress it makes it very hard to loose weight, sleep, deal with stress and overall makes for a very unhappy person! Let’s work together and help each other when we need it the most!

Here is why I’m trying what I’m trying to get healthy in the upcoming year and STAY HEALTHY so that my New Year’s Resolution can be different next year!

Ashwagandha is an ancient medicinal herb that is classified as an adaptogen, meaning that it can help your body manage stress. It is an important herb in Ayurvedic practice. Ashwagandha provides numerous benefits for your body and brain such as:

• Boosts brain function,
• lowers blood sugar and cortisol levels,
• Reduces Irritability and Stress,
• Enhances Stamina,
• Improves Mood and Cognitive Function,
• Improves Sleep,
• Thyroid Support & Regulation,
• Reduces Joint Pain and Inflammation,

Pretty impressive if you ask me as I need all of these benefits!

Matcha Tea is premium green tea powder from Japan used for drinking as tea or as an ingredient in recipes. While other green teas are grown throughout the world, matcha is unique to Japan. It is the heart of the Japanese way of tea and has been celebrated in the traditional Japanese tea ceremony for hundreds of years. The benefits are amazing:

• It is packed with antioxidants including the powerful EGCg.
• Boosts metabolism and burns calories.
• Detoxifies effectively and naturally.
• Calms the mind and relaxes the body.
• Is rich in fiber, chlorophyll and vitamins.
• Enhances mood and aids in concentration.

While this is a small list you can see the benefits already! I am NOT a tea person but was able to sit and sip on this the first time I experienced it. I now put it in my smoothie daily along with the Ashwagandha for an unbelievable start to my day!

The other 2 practices are self explanatory as everyone should be exercising in some way to boost energy levels and taking time for themselves. As a busy momma, taking time for myself has always been a struggle but with the support of my family and friends I am POSITIVE it will happen!

I hope you found some peace in reading this article because I wrote it to help myself as well as all of you…. we can dive into this journey together and help support one another every step of the way! I am always willing to connect through email or Facebook so please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Please note that there are affiliate links in here which simply mean that you get the referral of the great products that I spend time researching and I may get a small percentage of the sale. The price is no different to you just an easy way to get it!