Navigating the Holidays: How to Keep Your Hormones Balanced

Hormonal imbalance can create a whirlwind of unpleasant changes, many of which can get in the way of enjoying this special time of year. But there are steps you can take to keep your hormones properly balanced, even during the sometimes chaotic holiday season. 

Our team members at Creekside OB/GYN of Folsom view our role as your partners in all things related to women’s health. That includes managing the hormonal shifts that occur as you move through the phases of life. 

Let’s explore some ways you can keep your hormones in check during the holidays. 

What is a hormonal imbalance?

Your body naturally creates the hormones you need to thrive. Hormonal imbalance is a condition where your normal hormonal equilibrium is disrupted. 

The most common cause of hormonal imbalance in women is menopause — the time of transition as a woman moves beyond her reproductive years. 

But things like pregnancy, puberty, and certain gynecologic treatments that affect the ovaries can also lead to hormonal imbalance. Lifestyle choices can have a big impact on how you adapt to shifting hormonal production, and hormone replacement therapy can also be helpful. 

Let’s look at the challenges the holiday season presents and how you can stay hormonally balanced during this busy time of year. 

Prioritize quality sleep

One of the easiest ways to manage hormonal disruption is by ensuring your body is getting sufficient rest. The holidays can be a busy time of year, with a long list of obligations and events. 

Make it a priority to get plenty of rest during the holidays. Many women find it helpful to lay out clear timelines for getting to bed and rising in the morning. 

If you find yourself tempted to handle just one more holiday to-do item before bed, remind yourself that you’ll function better the following day if you’ve had plenty of quality rest. 

Choose meals and snacks wisely

The foods you eat each day have a direct impact on your hormonal balance. However, the holidays can throw you off your normal nutrition routines. While there’s nothing wrong with indulging in holiday favorites, make an effort to choose healthful foods for the bulk of your meals and snacks. 

Get enough protein at each meal by adding high-protein foods like eggs, lentils, or fish to your meal planning during this time of year. 

Pay close attention to your sugar intake, and look for ways to avoid added sugars when possible. You can cut sugar by avoiding sweetened beverages like coffee drinks and boba tea. 

Keep moving

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed during the holidays, and adding a daily walk or other forms of exercise might feel impossible. But it’s important to remember that staying active is a great way to regulate your hormones, boost your mood, and even enhance your sleep quality. 

Set a target number of steps for each day and take a walk in the morning to reach your goal quickly. This helps avoid the mid-afternoon or post-dinner slump that keeps so many of us from reaching our daily activity goals. 

Manage stress

Perhaps the most difficult task on this list is managing stress. However, it is a worthy goal that everyone should strive for during the holidays. 

For some women, that means thoughtfully reviewing the list of gatherings you’ve been invited to and eliminating those that are not absolutely necessary or that you aren’t fully looking forward to. 

For other women, family strife is the most significant source of stress during the holidays. Don’t be afraid to change the way you do things this year, whether that means limiting the guest list or planning events that are centered around an activity like volunteering or completing a holiday task together. Keeping your family busy can reduce the risk of arguments or tension. 

Ready to explore hormone replacement therapy?

If you feel like your hormonal balance has gotten significantly out of control this year, it’s time to take a closer look at hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This treatment supplements your natural hormone production with synthetic hormones, creating an optimal balance and eliminating most symptoms. 

HRT is a safe and effective way to restore proper hormonal balance and a gift that you can give yourself this holiday season. When you’re ready to learn more, begin by setting up a visit with Timothy Phelan, MD, and our team at Creekside OB/GYN of Folsom. 

Online booking is available around the clock, and our friendly administrative professionals are happy to speak with you by phone about appointment availability.