"When stress hormones go wild, it's like living in a never-ending soap opera of worry, brain fog, and irritability. Let's break the cycle and reclaim our sanity!" - Andrea Knapp

Hey hey, beautiful CollectHERs! 🌟

Today, we're diving into a super important topic: stress hormones. These little chemical messengers play a huge role in how we feel and think every day. Let’s break down how stress hormones can mess with your mental wellness and things I have done that have worked for me.

What are Stress Hormones?

Stress hormones like cortisol are released when you're feeling stressed. They help your body respond by increasing your heart rate, blood pressure, and energy levels. In small amounts, these hormones are helpful, but when you're constantly stressed, your body makes too much of them, which can lead to problems.

How Stress Hormones Affect Mental Wellness

When your body produces too many stress hormones for a long time, it can cause:

• Chronic Worry: Feeling constantly worried or on edge. For example, you might find yourself fretting about minor issues like being late for an appointment or whether you left the stove on, even when there’s no real reason to be concerned...THIS IS SO ME!

• Prolonged Sadness: Feeling very sad or hopeless. This could look like a lingering sense of sadness that doesn’t seem to lift, even when things are going well, or feeling like nothing will ever get better...YEP!

• Sleep Problems: Trouble falling or staying asleep. You might lie awake for hours unable to fall asleep, wake up frequently during the night, or feel exhausted even after a full night’s sleep...FOR REALS!

• Brain Fog: Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly. You might find it hard to focus on tasks, forget what you were about to say, or feel like your mind is in a haze, making it difficult to make decisions or complete work...HAHA EVERYDAY!

• Irritability: Feeling easily annoyed or angry. Little things that wouldn’t usually bother you—like a coworker’s habits, slow traffic, or a messy house—might set you off, causing frustration and anger that seem out of proportion to the situation...WORD!

For a long time, I felt anxious, tired, and overwhelmed. I didn’t realize that my stress levels were causing my stress hormones to be high all the time. Once I learned about these hormones and their effects, I started making simple changes that helped me feel better.

Things I Have Done That Worked for Me

• Eat a Balanced Diet: Eating healthy foods can help keep your stress hormones in check. I try to eat more fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. I also avoid too much sugar and processed foods. I like to say, "Eat from the perimeter of the store and stay away from the inside yuck!"

• Exercise Regularly: Moving my body helps reduce stress and lower stress hormones. Even a daily walk can make a big difference... this includes walking my coworkers (my dogs) outside to feel grounded.

• Get Enough Sleep: I aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night. A good night's sleep helps keep hormone levels balanced... now don't get me wrong, I still wake up but slowly am implementing better sleep routines... we'll chat about this next week :)

• Practice Stress Management: Finding ways to relax and manage my stress has been crucial. This includes activities like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga... Check out my blog last week for deep breathing tips! HUGE GAME CHANGER FOR ME!

• Stay Hydrated: Drinking enough water is important for my overall wellness and helps keep stress hormone levels down... Always carry that water jug around.. I use a straw because I think it makes me drink more... but do you boo and just get that water in!

• Laugh More: Laughter is a natural stress reliever and can help lower stress hormones. I watch funny movies or spend time with friends who make me laugh... and the kids always make me laugh... well most of the time lol!

• Incorporate Supplements: From personal experience, adding supplements has made a significant difference. I've found frequency-charged mushroom lemonade, like my "Rising and Vibing" mix, to be incredibly effective. It helps support both my gut health and mental clarity.

  Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplements or wellness regimen.

Final Thoughts

High stress hormone levels can seriously affect your mental wellness, but you can take steps to lower them. By eating well, staying active, getting enough sleep, and finding ways to relax, you can keep your stress hormone levels in check and feel better overall.

Now, let me tell you, I was a big nay-sayer in the beginning of my mental wellness healing journey. I never wanted to hear "just go for a walk" or "exercise more"—it sounded so cliché. But after a while, I caved because I was willing to try anything. And guess what? It worked! For example, the simple act of moving my body made a huge difference in how I felt.

I’d love to hear about your experiences with stress and hormone management. Drop your thoughts in the comments in the collective, and let’s support each other on this journey to better mental wellness.

Until next time, stay calm, stay healthy, and keep taking care of yourself.

XOXO,

Andrea