How your diet and sleep are impacting your hormones.

This article has been researched and written by Arelang Naturals^® in-house writers.

Do you ever feel like you're in a constant state of chaos, struggling to find balance amidst it all? Our lives are full of food choices that we can enjoy anytime we want, from juicy burgers and fries to delicious pizzas. While we try to maintain a balance in our diets, we often overlook the importance of a good night's sleep and balancing our sleep-wake cycles.

Sleep is an essential part of our lives, and it is intricately linked to the hormones released by our bodies, especially in the case of Polycystic Ovary Disease (PCOD). This prevalent condition affects most women's hormone levels, leading to irregular periods, weight gain, and other complications. But did you know that sleep deprivation can cause hormone imbalance in the body and disrupt the entire reproductive system?

When we don't get enough sleep, our bodies fail to release the hormone LH (Luteinizing Hormone), which is crucial for the ovaries to release estrogen and progesterone. LH is produced in the pituitary gland and coordinates the complex interplay of hormones that regulate the reproductive system. Without enough LH, PCOD and other hormonal disorders and imbalances can occur.

We all enjoy staying up late at night, whether due to stress, studying, working, partying, or binge-watching our favorite TV shows. However, all these factors disrupt our sleep-wake cycle and throw our hormones off balance, leading to irregular periods, tiredness, acne, and a host of other issues, including heart attacks, and inadequate cognitive function. A major cause of PCOS is a lack of quality sleep. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize getting a good night's sleep to ensure PCOS symptoms can be at bay.

But sleep is not the only factor that affects our hormonal balance. The food we consume has also become a cause for concern in recent years. Everything we eat today comes with additives that have the potential to alter our hormones. The meat industry pumps hormones into animals to produce larger quantities of milk, meat, and eggs, and farmers use more than just a tiny amount of pesticides and other chemicals to boost the sizes of fruits and vegetables. These hormones then pass on to us, leading to a hormonal imbalance in our bodies.

The consequences of our actions are far-reaching. When we continue to lead a lifestyle that lacks adequate sleep and consumes food products that disrupt our hormone balance, our bodies stop producing them naturally. As a result, we become increasingly dependent on external factors, leading to complications that can affect our overall health.

But it's not all doom and gloom! The solution lies in leading a balanced lifestyle, which means more than just following a good diet. Adequate sleep, regular exercise, and a balanced diet of mindful eating can go a long way in ensuring our bodies produce the necessary hormones naturally. We can also choose to consume organic and hormone-free food products, leading to a healthier lifestyle.

Incorporating healthy habits into our daily routine can be enjoyable too! We can try new recipes that are packed with nutrients and superfoods like kale, berries, and nuts. We can join a dance or yoga class with friends, making it a fun group activity. And if we're feeling adventurous, we can go hiking, kayaking, or rock climbing, all while getting some much-needed exercise, which will also help us sleep better. It's all about finding the right balance between indulgence and healthy habits. We don't have to give up all the foods we love or stop watching our favorite TV shows altogether, but a little mindfulness goes a long way. By prioritizing our sleep, being mindful of what we eat, and staying active, we can lead a balanced lifestyle that supports our overall health and well-being. So go ahead, and indulge in that delicious pizza, but remember to balance it out with some good-quality sleep and exercise. Your body will thank you for it!