Ditch the Resolutions This Year.
Photo credit to Unsplash
Who else is sick of hearing about New Year’s Resolutions? It feels like the world puts so much pressure to define huge goals for yourself come January of each year. What new diet will you try? How much will you workout? What big milestones will you accomplish? I say enough! While we don’t need to put unnecessary stress on ourselves (which is a recipe for disaster when it comes to our hormones), it doesn’t have to be an all or nothing approach either.
Daily Habits.
Small habits that you incorporate daily may be the secret sauce to your success this next year. According to Google, a habit is a routine of behavior that is repeated regularly and tends to occur subconsciously. Two words are key here “routine” and “subconsciously”. It’s the things we do that we don’t have to actively think about because they have become so ingrained in what we do. This sets us up for success because the less decisions are human brain has to make the better. It’s like my morning routine that I recently shared, I no longer have to think about it because I do it every single morning. It sets me up for a successful day ahead both mentally and physically.
Small Wins.
The trouble with big resolutions is that they usually set us up to fail because they are a lofty goal that may or may not be attainable. And even if it is attainable, it may take so long to achieve it that our brain loses interest in accomplishing it. That’s why small habits work so well because we get some “quick wins” under our belt and build self-confidence by accomplishing them. This creates momentum, allowing you to build more and more habits on top of the ones you have already mastered.
Healthy Hormone Habits.
You may be wondering how you can apply this principle to your hormones, managing your PCOS or to get pregnant. I’ve been working to refine my healthy hormone habits for a few years now and here are my tried and true that have the biggest impact on your health.
Caffeine: Drinking your caffeine after you have had a solid breakfast with protein, fat and carbs. This sets you up for a day of balanced blood sugar and doesn’t spike your cortisol. I limit my caffeine intake to one cup a day, because let’s be honest, girl’s got to have her caffeine. And if breakfast truly isn’t your thing, try adding coconut oil and cinnamon to your coffee to help combat a blood sugar spike.
Dry Brushing: One of the simplest things you can do is dry brush your entire body before your morning shower. Dry brushing gets your lymph moving, blood circulating and exfoliates your skin. All important things for ensuring your hormones are nourished and supported. This dry brush is so reasonable and one of my favorites.
Movement: I don’t necessarily mean exercise but if you can squeeze that in great. At 35 weeks pregnant my movement looks like daily walks in the sunshine, stretching/yoga or dancing. Dancing is so therapeutic for me. My daughter and I turn on our favorite soundtrack and dance around the house. Neither of us have any rhythm or purpose to our dance moves other than it feels good to our bodies. Remember with movement, that you’re more likely to do it if you enjoy it, so pick something that makes you happy.
Sleep. I shoot for 8-9 hours a night, which might seem like a lot to some people but it’s the only way I feel refreshed. This requires me to prioritize my time at night and start my bedtime routine early enough for me to be in bed around 9:30. Obviously when our new baby comes, this will shift dramatically but right now it’s an important habit to me. Getting good sleep helps balance our hormones by lowering cortisol throughout the day, and allowing our bodies to generate enough progesterone, estrogen and melatonin. Sleeping enough also helps support our hunger hormones like Leptin and Ghrelin so we don’t overeat throughout the day and can maintain a healthy body weight.
If habits feel overwhelming to you, pick just one or two to start with. Do them at the same time each day so they become a natural part of your routine. Once you’ve mastered these one or two, start adding in a few more. By the end of the year, you’ll be amazed at how these tiny daily rhythms can pay off.
It’s important to note that I am not a medical doctor and this information should not be considered personal medical advice. Rather, it is meant to illustrate my personal experience. You should always consult with your healthcare provider before incorporating, changing or removing medications from your health plan.