When it comes to our overall health one part is always overlooked: our hormones. Maintaining balanced hormones is an essential part of staying healthy. One of the things that can help to do maintain that balance is exercise.
Aside from our diet and sleep, exercising also impacts our hormones. Hormones keep our bodies in a happy state of equilibrium and they play many important roles in supporting our health. Therefore it is imperative that we do not take them for granted.
One major benefit of exercising reduces insulin or the stress hormone which contributes to hormonal imbalance. So start exercising! Here are the recommended exercises to help balance hormones and stay healthy.
Yoga
Aside from challenging and stretching muscles, yoga is a popular stress-relieving exercise. Yoga lowers blood cortisol levels, reduces adrenaline and stimulates calming brain chemicals. In fact, numerous studies including one by the Boston University School of Medicine found that yoga is far superior from other forms of exercise due to its positive effect on mood. This makes yoga the best workout choice in enhancing hormonal balance. One or two sessions should do the trick.
Pilates
Yoga’s twin sister pilates is another workout good for the hormones. Pilates workout focuses on deep muscle activation which helps cleanse the nervous system. A healthy nervous system means there is better communication between your brain and your body together with upping the release of mood-boosting hormones.
Aside from being a workout routine, pilates is also a form of meditation that can calm your mind that aids in treating insomnia, sharpening the mind, and chronic pain management among other things. Not only does this exercise impact hormone balance but it also promotes overall health through natural means like the healthcare provider KC Wellness Center.
Walking
The simplest yet still one of the most popular forms of exercise. Walking does wonders for hormonal balance. If you are too stressed at work, this is a low impact exercise that is perfect for cheering you up. Walking releases endorphins or the “feel-good” hormones while also cutting your stress level.
Do four to five days a week of walking, with a 10,000 step goal per day is enough to make you feel amazing throughout a busy week.
Strength training
From something low impact to taking it up a notch a little bit. Strength training enhances the production of both testosterone and estrogen, sex hormones for both genders which are essential for a healthy body and mind.
Keep in mind that strength training doesn’t have to be intense. You can incorporate functional training with it to maintain a low impact workout and still achieve your desired results.
Here’s another key point you should remember: When it comes to hormone balance, less is better. Too much exercise can lead to hormonal imbalance. The general rule is to follow your body. If you feel depleted, then it’s time to stop and rest.
These are the recommended exercises that you can do to help you balance your hormones. Making time to exercise can be challenging especially with how busy most people are nowadays, but just remember to focus on the benefits you will gain when it comes to your overall lifestyle. Stay healthy and sustain a good hormone balance.
