Some days you might feel full of energy, crossing off tasks from your to-do list like nothing can stop you, other days, you might find it hard to get out of bed. Mental health is a complex issue with many moving parts, but one thing that plays a constant role is hormones. 

These chemical messengers influence numerous functions in the body, including metabolism, sexual health, and the reproductive system – but they’re also in charge of regulating your mood and emotions. When everything is working in perfect hormone harmony, you feel like you could conquer the world. But when you’re dealing with a hormonal imbalance – everything in your life might feel off.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the key hormones and how they can affect your mental health.

Hormones with the biggest impact on mental health

Happiness hormones

Hormones like dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins are your natural mood boosters. Dopamine is associated with pleasure, serotonin helps regulate mood, and oxytocin is sometimes also called the “love hormone” – it usually increases with physical affection. Endorphins are your body’s natural pain and stress relief and usually increase after rewarding activities like eating a meal you really enjoy – imagine that avocado toast with a perfectly poached egg on a Sunday morning.

Stress hormones

The infamous “stress hormone”, cortisol, is essential for survival, helping you react quickly in stressful situations (when you need to ace a job interview or impress everyone at a meeting). However, when cortisol levels are consistently high, it can lead to feelings of anxiety, fatigue, and even burnout.

Thyroid hormones

Thyroid hormonesare produced by your thyroid gland and influence your metabolism, heart, lungs, and muscles – and, of course, your mood. Too little or too much thyroid hormone can manifest as a deep sadness and feelings of anxiety. These hormones are often overlooked when it comes to mental health but can play a crucial role in how you feel.

Sex hormones

For women, the main sex hormones are oestrogen and progesterone. They have a significant impact on your mood, emotions, and even your libido. These hormones fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, and later in life during menopause. So, if you notice certain shifts in your mood only during specific times of the month, these sex hormones are probably to blame.

Hormonal fluctuations and the menstrual cycle

When any advert featuring cute cats makes you cry, or you’re craving a tub of ice cream all to yourself, and questioning all your life choices… Hmm, sounds like your period is just around the corner.

We’re all familiar with PMS, which can be accompanied by anxiousness, mood swings, and physical symptoms like bloating or headaches. But hormonal highs and lows can actually affect you and influence your mood throughout your monthly cycle, not just right before your period.

For example, during your period, your oestrogen and progesterone levels drop. This change can affect your energy levels, leaving you feeling mre tired than usual. And, during ovulation (around day 14 of a 28-day cycle), when oestrogen levels are at their peak,  you might feel unstoppable, full of energy and yes, maybe even more flirtacious. 

Remember that your experiences might differ from the experiences of your friends, and we all react to hormonal changes differently. Understanding your individual cycle is crucial for nurturing your physical and mental needs.

Understanding the symptoms of hormonal imbalance

Hormonal imbalance can make the fluctuations you experience during your monthly cycle worse – and bring along a wide array of other symptoms you need to watch out for.

While changes in oestrogen levels throughout the month are normal for women, constantly having too much oestrogen, what is known as “oestrogen dominance”, can make PMS much worse, and result in irregular periods and painful cramping. Other tell-tale signs include weight gain and breakouts, especially on your chin.

Another hormone that can cause all kinds of changes in your mental and physical health is cortisol, the stress hormone. If you go through prolonged periods of elevated stress, you might find yourself dealing with unexpected weight gain (especially around the belly), skin problems, muscle weakness, fatigue, brain fog, irritability, and frequent headaches.

Women’s health is significantly influenced by thyroid hormones as well. Among its many functions, the thyroid is also responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle, and a sluggish thyroid can lead to heavier or irregular periods. You might also experience symptoms like constant tiredness, sensitivity to cold temperatures, excessive weight gain, brain fog, digestive problems, brittle hair, and dry skin.

Beyond the physical symptoms, all of these hormonal imbalances can have a profound impact on your mental well-being and can influence your mood, cognitive function, and, last but not least, your confidence. But, despite how hopeless it might feel to have to deal with hormonal imbalances, there are ways you can help yourself!

What to do when you’re not feeling like yourself

Sometimes, when you're going through these symptoms for a longer period, you might find it hard to imagine feeling any differently. It's easy to lose yourself in all the hormonal confusion, but don't be too quick to accept this as your new reality; there are solutions out there. 

If you need to, speak to your doctor, who can help diagnose your hormonal imbalance and advise you on how to balance hormones or seek additional treatment.

There are also lifestyle changes you can make to improve your emotional well-being. Exercise, for instance, is a natural mood booster that can help restore hormone harmony. And if you’re not a big fan of the gym, don’t worry. It doesn’t take much, and even an easy walk can help a lot. You can also try mindfulness exercises, meditation, yoga or other stress-relieving techniques.

Getting some sunshine, laughing with a friend, and petting your dog – these are some of our favourite (and scientifically proven!) ways of boosting those happy hormones.

For another proactive step, take charge of your well-being with the Hormones in Harmony bundle, featuring 3 powerful products for balancing oestrogen, cortisol, and thyroid hormones. It’s your perfect support system, designed to help you rediscover a healthier, more balanced, and more confident version of yourself.

Rediscover balance with the Hormones in Harmony bundle!

If you've been grappling with tiredness, irritability, stress, or unexpected weight gain, the Hormones in Harmony bundle is your new best friend. It's specifically crafted to help women of all ages who are struggling with hormonal imbalance symptoms and features 3 of our best-selling products.

Starting with Hormone Balance, a real lifesaver when it comes to tackling excess oestrogen. It will help improve your mood and focus, make it easier to relax and sleep better, and even ease menstrual discomfort.

Next up is Cortisol Balance. If you're feeling the weight of stress, this is the go-to product. It contains potent ingredients like ashwagandha and Rhodiola that can help you react better to stress, improve your ability to focus and reduce tiredness.

Last but not least, we have Thyroid Balance, which helps balance thyroid hormones and supports their production. This can help you lose weight, improve your focus and energy levels, and strengthen your hair and skin.

So, if you're looking to take control of your mental well-being and navigate the ups and downs of life with ease, this incredible trio of supplements to balance hormones is here for you. Get Hormones in Harmony today and feel the difference in your body and mind!