Collection: Summertime Essentials - Manage Summer Heat

Effects of Summer Heat on Women's Hormones

Summer heat can significantly impact women’s hormone levels, influencing physical and emotional well-being. Here’s a look at how high temperatures can affect hormones and ways to manage these changes:

1. Increased Cortisol Levels

   • Effect: The body often responds to high temperatures as a stressor, leading to increased cortisol, the stress hormone. Elevated cortisol can cause mood swings, fatigue, and even disrupt sleep.
   • Management: Staying hydrated, practising relaxation techniques, and taking cooling breaks throughout the day can help manage cortisol spikes.

2. Imbalanced Estrogen and Progesterone

   • Effect: Summer heat exposure can disrupt estrogen and progesterone levels, impacting menstrual cycles and exacerbating symptoms of menopause, such as hot flushes.
   • Management: Cooling practices like wearing breathable clothing, staying in air-conditioned environments, and consuming cold beverages can help minimise hormone-related heat effects.

3. Increased Thyroid Activity

   • Effect: The thyroid helps regulate body temperature, and in high heat, it may become more active, increasing metabolic rates. This can lead to rapid heart rates, fatigue, and sweating.
   • Management: Monitoring thyroid activity with your healthcare provider and incorporating cooling foods like cucumber and watermelon into your diet can help balance this effect.

4. Reduced Melatonin Levels

   • Effect: Longer summer days mean more sunlight, which can suppress melatonin production. This can make it harder to fall asleep and may disrupt sleep cycles.
   • Management: Practising good sleep hygiene, such as using blackout curtains and keeping the bedroom cool, can support melatonin production and improve sleep quality.

5. Altered Insulin Sensitivity

   • Effect: High heat can decrease insulin sensitivity, making it harder to regulate blood sugar levels, especially after meals. This may lead to energy dips and increased cravings.
   • Management: Incorporating balanced meals with protein and fibre, and staying hydrated, can help regulate blood sugar and manage insulin sensitivity.

Supporting Hormone Balance During Summer Heat

Adopting a balanced diet, staying hydrated, managing stress, and maintaining a cool environment can help women better navigate these hormone fluctuations. Additionally, supplements designed for hormone support, like Her Balance from Nature’s Help, can offer natural assistance in maintaining hormonal harmony through the hottest months. Embrace the season confidently and let Nature’s Help be part of your summer wellness strategy against the challenges of summer heat.