Stress

Stress and Hormones

Did you know that when men are stressed, given a challenge or a result to produce, that they use more testosterone. Makes sense right.

Well, for women, although we have many talents unique to us, we must rely on Cortisol (the stress hormone) to produce the same results. Initially our bodies can respond (like juggling those many balls) by taping into the power of our adrenal glands and producing more Cortisol. However, with prolonged stress, this cortisol production drains our body of needed sex hormones.

• important to our quality of life
• help us feel vital and alive
• help us sleep
• promote healthy brain, heart, bone and breast health
• hormones that help us age gracefully

Well, for women, although we have many talents unique to us, we must rely on Cortisol (the stress hormone) to produce the same results. Initially our bodies can respond (like juggling those many balls) by taping into the power of our adrenal glands and producing more Cortisol. However, with prolonged stress, this cortisol production drains our body of needed sex hormones.

• Weight gain
• Unstable blood sugar
• Cholesterol challenges
• High blood pressure
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Difficulty sleeping
• Fibrocystic disease (breast and uterus)
• Hot flashes & night sweats
• Mood swings
• PMS
• Decrease in sex drive (libido)
• Bladder infections & incontinence
• Vaginal dryness
• Decreased stamina

As you can see, some of these are direct correlates to your risk for heart disease. Thus, it is critical for us to address stress for numerous health and wellness reasons. Our Lifestyle choices and how we relate to each other in our relationships, will greatly impact our level of stress. Some powerful education I have received in this area is from PAX, Inc. (see affiliates page). By looking at instinctive behaviors we have as women (how we relate to ourselves, each other and to men) can dramatically decrease our level of stress. For more in-depth info, contact me directly and see the PAX affiliates page link.

In my personal experience and with the women I either consult or know in the work force, they often joke about "putting on a cajohna belt". Although we may need to produce some great results on a daily basis, we can do this in a way that is more honoring of our feminine bodies and biochemical design. There are ways for us to produce results in the world, climb the corporate ladder or make a difference in the world using more feminine strength and powers. Dr. Christine Northrup, in her great book Women’s Wisdom, Women’s Bodies stated it so well. She said that we need to start honoring our own "balls" – our ovaries!

Just the word "work force" should warn us as women, that we may be forcing our bodies to produce more cortisol, and creating long term health risk. Again, stress, hormones, and heart disease are inextricably connected.