#1. You know your body best …
Your body is communicating with you all the time, it’s so important to listen to it and learn to interpret the messages it’s giving you. Your body is your responsibility and your most valuable asset. Regularly tune in and pay attention to your bodies cries for help.
#2. Gut health is everything …
Naturopaths believe in the principal that all disease stems from the gut. Often referred to as the “ second brain” due to its connection to the nervous system and its close relationships with the brain. Around 90% of your serotonin is made in the digestive tract. The gut is also home to most of your immune system and has a strong connection to hormonal health. Signs of poor gut health include, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, skin conditions, immune system dysfunction, depression and anxiety.
#3. Low calorie intake + high energy does not always guarantee weight loss …
Most of us are taught that eating less and moving more is the guaranteed formula for weight loss. This is true most of the time, but not always. Sometimes, especially as we age thyroid function, hormones and stress can cause weight gain no matter how much you are exercising. If you are struggling to lose weight look at the bigger picture and bring balance to your hormones and mental health.
#4. Coffee does have an impact on your hormones …
Coffee depletes magnesium levels and increases your stress hormone, cortisol. This can have a negative impact on your periods, increasing pms and cramping. In menopause caffeine intake is known to increase hot flushes and night sweats, as well as impacting mood, memory and concentration.
Most women cannot tolerate more than one coffee per day without experiencing some level of anxiety and sleep disturbance.
#5. Express, don’t suppress …
Negative emotions can impact your physical health massively. Learn to acknowledge them, feel them, share them and release them.
Meditate, write down your feelings in any form that suits you, talk to friends and loved ones, seek out therapy if you need to.
#6. What you put on your skin, goes into your body …
Our skin absorbs about 80% of what we put on it. Endocrine disrupting chemicals are found in cosmetics, fragrances, cleaning products, plastics and much more, they either mimic or block the function of your hormones. Once in our bodies these chemicals impact fertility, increase your risk of cancer and accumulate over time to the extent that they can be passed in- uteri onto your future children.
#7. Synthetic hormones will not fix hormone imbalance …
Whilst the pill or HRT may temporarily hide symptoms, your body has to work harder to overcome their effect. This results in different symptoms occurring such as migraines, abnormal uterine bleeding and spotting, thyroid dysfunction, blood clots, deep vein thrombosis, anxiety and depression.
Always be completely informed and consider healthier alternatives first, they do work!
#8. If you don’t pick a day to relax, your body will pick it for you …
Injuries and illness can be messages from the body that you’ve pushed it beyond its limits. If you don’t rest your body will force you to.
#9. Love your liver …
Your liver is your body’s processing plant and vital for hormone health. If you’re suffering tender breasts, premenstrual headaches, irritability, anger or skin conditions it is a sign your liver needs some attention.
Eat green leafy vegetables, broccoli and cauliflower. Bitter herbs aid the liver and certain supplements may be indicated.
#10. You ARE capable of far more than you’ll ever know …