Modern women are tasked with juggling countless responsibilities, including climbing the career ladder, managing household chores and nurturing their families. Unfortunately, this puts them in a position to deal with nearly constant stress, which can lead to health problems. The good news is that there are some ways you can better balance your life-work balance, along with your home life, to reduce the impact of stress.
The Impact of Stress on Women’s Health
Before considering how you can conquer your stress, we must consider how it harms you. There are five main categories to consider.
- Fatigue and Low Energy
Struggling with fatigue and low energy is all too common for women. In many cases, this is caused by society expecting more from women than they can realistically offer. Fatigue significantly increases in women expected to ‘do it all,’ but any woman is susceptible.
Some of the indicators of fatigue and low energy include:
- Headaches
- Chronic tiredness
- Aching muscles
- Irritability
- Dizziness
- Impaired judgment
- Disrupted Hormones
Did you know that chronic stress leads to disrupted hormones? Whenever you feel stressed, your body increases the production of cortisol. Cortisol is also known as the stress hormone, but it is a normal hormone that can cause many issues if its production is too high. As a result, it can interrupt the balance of other hormones, including estrogen, progesterone and even human growth hormone (HGH).
HGH for women is vital in maintaining muscle tone, energy levels, skin elasticity and overall vitality. If you’ve been experiencing the symptoms of a hormonal imbalance, it’s wise to consider starting HGH treatment to restore your health. Symptoms include:
- Irregular menstrual cycle
- Sleep difficulties
- Mood swings
- Brittle hair
- Acne
- Dry skin
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Breast changes
- Unexplained weight changes
- Abdominal Weight Gain
Speaking of weight changes, dealing with stress can cause you to put on weight, especially in your abdomen. Four stress-related factors can cause many problems: Cortisol, increased appetite, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and decreased mood.
It’s important to know that excessive cortisol can increase your insulin levels, boost the amount of fat stored in your abdomen, reduce your metabolism, and boost your blood glucose. If you’ve ever asked yourself why so many women gain weight after getting married and having kids, then you should know that cortisol is a big part of the answer.
- Mood Swings and Increased Anxiety
Living with stress causes psychological and physiological symptoms. These may include increased anxiety, difficulty sleeping and noticeable mood swings. This can become even worse when you experience hormonal fluctuations. It’s important to realize what’s happening and take steps to make yourself feel better.
- Disrupted Sleep Patterns
Hormonal changes are often blamed for disrupted sleep patterns, but there is a lot more to it. Psychosocial stress is believed to have an even bigger impact, although hormonal changes are also partially at fault. Not getting enough sleep can cause several side effects, such as:
- Higher waist-to-hip ratio
- Increased blood pressure
- Worsening mood
- Increased risk of heart disease and diabetes
How Can You Find a Better Balance in Your Life?
In addition to adding HGH treatments, a variety of things can provide you with a better work-life balance. Choosing one or two ideas could make a big difference in your life.
Set Boundaries – Identify your priorities, communicate clearly and be consistent. Setting boundaries will help you regulate your hormone levels and minimize stressful triggers.
Practice Stress Management – Stress management techniques can include relaxation, self-care, goal setting, a healthy diet, social support and maintaining a positive outlook.
Stay Active – You can release your stress by getting physically active. It doesn’t have to be difficult, either. Instead, you can simply go for a walk or do some yoga.
Prioritize Nutrition – Ensuring proper nutrition can make you feel much better. Practice eating mindfully, limit sugar and caffeine, eat complex carbs and focus on eating nutrient-dense foods such as vegetables, fruits, healthy fats and lean protein.
Sleep Patterns – Stress makes it difficult for women to sleep enough. Setting a sleep hygiene routine can help, though. Avoid screens before bed, and don’t vary your sleep and waking times. Furthermore, limit heavy exercise to two hours before sleeping, and do something that relaxes you.
Seek Support – If you’re dealing with much stress, seek support. Whether this comes in talk therapy or spending more time with your friends, allowing others to help you take care of yourself is critical.
Relieve Stress in Your Life
Society doesn’t seem poised to take any of the stress off you, so you must take steps to do so. Protect your peace and speak to a doctor if you believe you’re dealing with hormonal issues. Taking HGH, for instance, is a proven way to help your body while also helping your emotional state.
