In our fast-paced world, many of us, especially professional women, find ourselves constantly juggling multiple roles—career, family, social obligations, and personal aspirations. This relentless drive to “do it all” often leads to chronic stress, disrupting our hormonal balance and leaving us feeling off-balance or unwell!  Understanding the impact of this lifestyle is crucial, as prolonged stress can have significant long-term health consequences and strain our personal relationships, particularly with our romantic partners.

The Innate Drive to Do A.K.A. The Habit of Hustle 

As women, we often feel genetically wired to be in perpetual motion. Regardless of our age, life stage, marital, or job status, there’s a constant drive to accomplish more. Many of us have turned to countless tips, books, and programs to enhance our efficiency. Yet, the intrinsic compulsion to do remains, making it challenging to simply be. 

As 2022 was nearing an end, I wanted to create an amazing 2024. Well, I signed up for amazing self-improvement courses. I was diligent and thrilled and digging in for 6 months – until I exhausted myself!! You see, I know this “habit of hustle” too well, too. And, I know how it has impacted my health. 

This habitual doing not only impacts our health but also obscures our divine feminine qualities and spiritual gifts. The Habit to Hustle robs us of the peace and serenity of allowing and receiving. I get, it can feel very vulnerable to “allow and receive”, yet this feminine energy is critical for balance in our bodies, our relationships, our communities, and the world! 

Let’s take a closer look at the personal physiological impact of this “habit to hustle”

A note about men – males can also suffer health challenges from the “Habit of Hustle”, however, their bodies are fueled by testosterone to produce results. Men have at least 16x more testosterone to fuel their results. That is just the physiology of it all. We need to be aware that while women may be able to do the same job as a male, the physiological cost can be so much greater!

The Physiology of Stress and Hormonal Imbalance

When we’re under constant stress, our bodies release cortisol, the primary stress hormone. I know you know that cortisol is essential for managing acute stress, the proverbial running from the tiger. Yet, chronic elevation can be detrimental. Persistent high cortisol levels have been associated with various health issues, including anxiety, depression, digestive problems, headaches, muscle tension, heart disease, sleep disturbances, weight gain, and cognitive impairments. For women, chronic stress, and the resultant cortisol demands disrupt the balance of hormones such as progesterone and estrogen. This “Progesterone Steal”, the phenomenon of cortisol stealing your available progesterone, can lead to not only irregular menstrual cycles, heavy bleeding, missed periods and weight gain. But there’s more.

Long-Term Health Implications of Unmanaged Stress

Ignoring the need to rebalance and manage stress can lead to severe long-term health consequences:

Cardiovascular Issues: Chronic stress, and the resultant hormonal havoc and imbalance contributes to increased blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, and a higher risk of heart disease and stroke. 

Metabolic Disorders: Prolonged high cortisol levels can lead to weight gain, particularly around the abdomen, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes. And, if you haven’t heard, Type 3 Diabetes is the new nickname for dementia. Metabolic disorders and insulin resistance are the root cause of so many diseases! 

Bone Density Reduction: Stress-induced hormonal imbalances can decrease bone density, heightening the risk of osteoporosis.

Mental Health Challenges: There’s a strong correlation between chronic stress and the development of anxiety disorders and depression. This ties back to the effect of cortisol causing “progesterone steal” and the resultant reduction in progesterone. Cortisol can also wreak havoc on your microbiome, which in turn, also sabotages your mood.

Impact on Relationships

Beyond physical health, unmanaged stress and hormonal imbalances can profoundly affect our personal relationships:

• Emotional Availability: As mentioned above cortisol can impact our microbiome, which has a direct effect on our neurotransmitters and mood. Thus, chronic stress leads to irritability, mood swings, and emotional exhaustion, making it challenging to connect with our partners on an emotional level.

• Decreased Libido: Hormonal imbalances often result in a reduced sex drive, which can create intimacy issues in romantic relationships.

• Communication Breakdowns: When we are stressed, we are off-balance – which can impair concentration and patience, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts with loved ones. I’m pretty sure that I am not the only one who has made regrettable snarky comments on a day when my hormones were out of whack? Fortunately, I was also coached by a very wise coach when I was in the midst of my hormonal mess, “Lori, regardless of your hormones, you are in charge of your response. So, if your hormones are out of whack, then you need to take responsibility for that. Either fix or hormones or you will have to try much harder in your relationships” !  I did the work to fix my hormones and learn how to manage my stress, too.

Strategies for Rebalancing and Self-Care

Transitioning from the relentless “Yang” energy of constant activity to the nurturing “Yin” energy of rest and receptivity is vital for restoring hormonal balance and overall well-being. Here are some practical self-care strategies:

1. Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Practices such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga can activate the body’s relaxation response, reducing cortisol levels and promoting a sense of calm. During the day, if you’re sitting at the computer, be sure to notice your breathing. “Screen apnea” is a real thing – we stop breathing and dramatically shift our HRV (heart rate variability) and turn on stress hormones. BREATHE! 

2. Balanced Nutrition: Incorporate foods that help regulate cortisol, such as Citrus fruits (high in vitamin C), dark chocolate (rich in antioxidants and magnesium), avocados (high in healthy fats), fermented foods (support gut health), bananas (contain magnesium and tryptophan), spinach (packed with magnesium and antioxidants), green tea (contains L-theanine for relaxation), fatty fish like salmon (rich in omega-3s), lean poultry (provides essential amino acids), and eggs (offer protein and vitamins).

3. Regular Physical Activity: Engage in moderate exercise, such as walking, swimming, mini-trampoline, or yoga, to help reduce stress hormones and improve mood.

4. Adequate Sleep: Prioritize quality sleep to allow the body to recover and regulate hormone production effectively. I recommend the Oura Ring to my clients to track their sleep – especially Deep and REM sleep – to track progress. You can’t change anything you don’t measure. 

5. Social Connections: Maintaining supportive relationships with friends and family can provide emotional support and reduce perceived stress.

6. Professional Support: Consulting healthcare professionals for guidance on stress management and hormonal health can offer personalized strategies and interventions. If you would love a coach, who has been there, done that and healed her hormones, then reach out for a Free introductory 20 minute consult at ConsultLori.com 

Summing it up

As women, we often face immense pressure to balance multiple roles, leading to chronic stress and hormonal imbalances. Understanding the profound impact of unmanaged stress on both our physical health and personal relationships is crucial. By embracing self-care practices that promote relaxation and hormonal balance, we can transition from the exhausting grind of constant activity to a state of well-being characterized by receptivity and inner peace. Prioritizing this balance not only enhances our personal health but also enriches our relationships, fostering a more fulfilling and harmonious life. Now doesn’t that sound worth the effort!! It is, I know firsthand!

“If you have enjoyed reading this blog, and want to take a deeper dive, then you will love my new book Create The Vitality You Crave: Epigenetics 101 to Unlock Your Healing Power. You can order on Amazon by clicking here.