Photo by Jonny Clow on Unsplash
Nature is full of rhythms and we are a part of nature. Some are extravagantly displayed like the waxing and waning of the moon, while others are hidden like the rhythmic growth of trees that’s evident in their concentric rings. Our bodies, too, follow multitudes of rhythms that we depend on for our wellbeing. Our heartbeat, our sleep/wake pattern, and our menstrual cycle are a few examples.
Our hormonal system is actually an orchestra of such rhythms that are intricately interwoven with one another. Hormones are chemical messengers that travel throughout our body delivering critical communication between all of our organs and tissues. They make all the things happen and they dictate how we feel. Many of them are released in a rhythmic pattern, and disruptions in those rhythms upset their balance with one another and can lead us to feel unwell or out of whack.
Much of the lifestyle counseling I do in my practice aims to help women bring awareness to these rhythms, attune to them, and do what they can to support them. Sleep disturbances for example are sometimes the product of disrupting our internal clock. If we don’t get enough sunlight exposure during the day, or we stare at blue light devices long after the sun has gone down, then we risk uncoupling our internal rhythm from that natural external one.
The related hormonal picture is complex. Our circadian rhythm is dictated by the alternating release of cortisol and melatonin, but staying consistent also relies on having adequate estrogen. When we’re feeling off, it can be worth investigating these levels and doing what we can to optimize them.
Keeping steady rhythms of consistent sleep, meals, and movement signal to our nervous system that we are safe, that we have what we need, and that we can let down our guard, rest, and heal.
If this speaks to you and you’d like to explore ways to better support your rhythms and hormonal balance, please call today to schedule an appointment at (805) 500-8056. I look forward to working with you!
Be Well,
Brita
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