Everyone has heard of hormones; these are the substances found in our bodies that seem to govern everything – and are also held responsible for everything. Angry teens, for example, are forgiven because of hormonal changes in their bodies. Women’s emotions alter during their menstrual cycle, which is due to the production of various hormones. So, although hormones are to blame, they are not the cause of the problems.

This is why, if we want to be happy and healthy for as long as possible, we need to take care of our hormones (there are over a hundred distinct hormones in our bodies). Here are some ideas about how to go about it.

Don’t Deprive Yourself 

If your hormones are already out of whack, going on a deprivation diet will not help; in fact, it will make you feel much worse. Your body will believe it’s hungry and will enter a state of extreme stress, accumulating as much fat as possible in order to use it when there is really no food available.

The majority of this function is done by cortisol, the stress hormone. It signals your fat cells to stay put, and it also begins to slow your metabolism so that nothing is burned up inside your body. When you start eating regularly again (since it’s impossible to maintain a deprivation diet long term), you’ll not only regain the weight you lost, but you’ll gain even more because your body will want to guarantee that nothing like what it just went through happens again.

Don’t Stress 

Of course, it’s much easier said than done to avoid stress, but it’s critical to maintain as much calm as possible. When you are stressed, your body produces a lot of cortisol. As we’ve previously seen, cortisol induces fat storage (particularly around the stomach), but it also lowers the immune system, making you more susceptible to infections and diseases. It also causes intestinal problems, resulting in a great deal of pain and suffering. Furthermore, it depletes your energy levels.

Although it is not always feasible to be stress-free, you must try your best to keep everything in your life quiet and serene. Recognize your stresses and include stress management practices into your life, such as yoga, music, or mindfulness. You could also try boosting your hormone levels using testosterone replacement therapy, for example, if you are lacking. 

Sleep Well 

If you consistently obtain fewer than six hours of sleep every night, your hormones may start working overtime. Not getting enough sleep (about seven to eight hours) may have an effect on your energy levels, mood, and weight, and can even be the cause of more severe issues such as heart disease, strokes, type II diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

It is critical to prioritize a full night’s sleep in order for your hormones to be re-set and re-balanced while you sleep. If you know what time you need to be up in the morning, make sure you get to bed at the appropriate time to get adequate sleep. Turn off all electrical gadgets and refrain from watching TV or using your smartphone. If you’re having difficulties falling asleep, consider reading a book, which helps put your brain in the proper sleep state. If you don’t need to get up at a certain hour, don’t set an alarm — wake up naturally, and you (and your hormones) will thank you.