Hormones being dramatic again? While HRT is one path, you’ve got plenty of non-hormonal options too. In this post, we’ll cover how simple daily habits like restful sleep, stress relief, nourishing foods, and gentle movement can make a big difference. You’ll also meet YL sidekicks like Progessence® Plus serum, Daily Hormone Essentials™ supplement, and essential oils that have your back through every hormonal stage.*
1. Nourish your hormones with food that fuels
Your hormones are built from the food you eat—literally. Nutrient-dense whole foods support your body’s ability to detox excess hormones, regulate blood sugar, and reduce inflammation. On the flip side, skipping meals, undereating, or living on caffeine can throw your hormones completely out of sync.
Use the graphic below to help you build a hormone-balancing plate.
Hormone-friendly food habits:
Hormone balance begins in the kitchen. Nutritious, balanced meals support your liver’s ability to detox excess hormones, help regulate blood sugar, and reduce inflammation—three key factors in maintaining healthy hormone levels, mood, and energy.
Protein: eggs, wild-caught salmon, grass-fed beef, lentils, organic chicken or turkey, bone broth.
Fiber-rich carbs: quinoa, sweet potatoes, squash, brown rice, oats, chickpeas, black beans, beets, carrots.
Healthy fats: avocado, olive oil, unrefined coconut oil, chia seeds, flax seeds.
Non-starchy veggies: broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, leafy greens, zucchini, cucumber, cabbage, asparagus, bell peppers.
Getting plenty of protein, colorful veggies, fiber-rich carbs, and healthy fats is a great start. But here are a few more easy ways to keep your hormones happy.
Eat within 30–60 minutes of waking. Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. It helps keep your cortisol rhythm steady. Skip it, and your body’s stress hormones can get thrown off.1
Avoid caffeine on an empty stomach. You can still enjoy your morning cup of joe, but drink it after you eat to avoid spiking your cortisol and messing with your insulin balance. For a gentler start, reach for a NingXia Red® sachet—this caffeine-free option is packed with superfruits and essential oils that support natural energy and overall wellness.*
Pile on cruciferous veggies. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and kale are MVPs for supporting estrogen detox.
Stay hydrated. Aim to drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily. Your hormones (and your skin) will thank you. Pro tip: use filtered water for a cleaner option.
Match your meals to your cycle. During your follicular and ovulatory phase, eat light, raw meals with more fruits and veggies. And during your luteal and menstrual phases, choose warm, grounding meals like stews, roasted veggies, and soups.
2. Practice healthy sleep hygiene
Sleep is when your hormones recover. While you’re dreaming about flying or showing up to work in your underwear, your body is busy regulating cortisol, melatonin, insulin, estrogen, and even growth hormones. Skimping on rest can set off a domino effect of hormone imbalance, cravings, and fatigue.
Hormone-supportive sleep tips:
Power down screens 60–90 minutes before bed. Blue light delays melatonin, so trade Netflix for a good book or other calming activity.
Stick to a regular bedtime. Your circadian rhythm and melatonin production thrive on consistency, so try to hit the pillow around the same time each night (10 p.m. or earlier is ideal).
Establish a calming nighttime routine. Whether you stretch, journal, take a bath, or use essential oils, this little ritual lets your body know it’s time to rest. Try diffusing Lavender essential oil’s dreamy floral scent for instant peaceful vibes.
3. Incorporate mindful movement
Moving your body daily is key for overall health, but too much intensity can backfire by spiking cortisol. The trick is to sync your workouts to your cycle.
Your cycle naturally shifts your energy and strength throughout the month: during ovulation, you might feel like Wonder Woman, whereas during your period, you might just want to curl up with a hot pad. Matching movement to your hormonal phases can help you stay motivated, boost your metabolism, and avoid burnout.
Cycle-synced movement suggestions:
Use this graphic to find the best exercises to do during each phase of your cycle.
Why movement matters for hormones:
Boosts serotonin and dopamine (your happy hormones).
Reduces excess cortisol and improves insulin sensitivity.
Improves lymphatic drainage and estrogen detox.
Helps regulate menstrual cycle and ease PMS symptoms.
Engaging in mindful forms of movement throughout your cycle is a great way to support hormonal balance and honor your body’s needs. Overtraining or pushing through low-energy days can spike cortisol, disrupt your cycle, and lead to burnout. But syncing your workouts with your hormonal phases helps you train smarter, not harder, so you can take advantage of your body’s natural high-performance windows.
YL tip: Enhance your workout routine with the power of essential oils! Before a tough workout, apply Valor® essential oil blend to your wrists for an uplifting, grounding aroma while you channel your inner strength. After your workout, apply diluted Peppermint essential oil to cool tired muscles.
4. Manage everyday stress
You can’t heal if you’re stuck in fight-or-flight mode. Stress is basically a hormone hijacker; too much cortisol crowds out progesterone, messes with digestion, and disrupts hormone detox pathways. That’s why daily stress management is essential—not optional—for balanced hormones.
Daily stress-relief rituals:
Try box breathing. Place a drop of Frankincense oil or Valor® blend on your palms, then breathe in for four counts, hold for four, exhale for four, and hold again for four.
Journal it out. Get the clutter out of your head and onto the paper.
Move daily. It doesn’t have to be anything intense. Even a short walk between errands helps reduce cortisol.
Take a warm Epsom salt bath. There’s nothing as relaxing as a soak in the tub. Add Lavender essential oil for a calming, spa-like aroma.
YL tip: For extra backup, consider CortiStop® capsules. Specially formulated for women, they help support healthy cortisol balance and glandular systems.*
5. Ditch endocrine disruptors in the home
Many everyday products—from laundry detergent to lipstick—contain sneaky endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that mimic or block your natural hormones. These synthetic ingredients can mess with your menstrual cycle, mood, sleep, weight, and fertility.
But here’s the good news: you don’t have to live in a bubble—just start switching. Little by little, swap out harmful items for gentle, plant-based alternatives.
Harmful chemicals to ditch:
Synthetic fragrance (in candles, perfumes, air fresheners, body sprays)
Phthalates (in plastics, skin care, and nail polish)
Parabens (in lotions, deodorants, makeup)
BPA/BPS (in plastic containers, water bottles, receipts)
Triclosan (in toothpaste and antibacterial soaps)
SLS/SLES (in shampoo, body wash)
Petroleum-based ingredients (in lip balms, creams)
Simple swaps to try:
Thieves® line: From toothpaste to cleaners, this essential oil-infused lineup covers every corner of your home—without ammonia, chlorine, synthetic fragrance, or endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
Simplified by Jacob + Kait™ blends: These simple, plant-powered scents bring the fun, seasonal vibes without the phthalates and synthetic musks that can compromise your hormones.
6. Supplement with plant-powered hormone support
Lifestyle shifts make a big difference, but sometimes your body needs extra backup. Meet Daily Hormone Essentials™ supplement—your hormone wingwoman through PMS, perimenopause, and menopause.*
This hormone-free supplement blends clinically studied botanicals, adaptogens, and essential oils into a simple, daily drink. It supports healthy energy, libido, mood, restful sleep, cortisol balance, and everyday stress management—while promoting comfort through hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, and fatigue. All without added sugar or the side effects of typical hormone therapy!*
Looking for topical support? Progessence® Plus serum is a gentle option with natural, bioidentical progesterone from wild yam—great to use during your monthly cycle or perimenopause.* It’s formulated especially for women with relaxing essential oil scents and skin-nourishing ingredients. Apply 2–4 drops to your stomach, feet, or inner thighs as needed.
Final thoughts
Balancing your hormones doesn’t require perfection. It starts with small, intentional choices—like switching to plant-powered products, eating real food, moving with your cycle, and supplementing when needed.
Each small shift adds up. Listen to your body, trust your symptoms, and know that you’re not alone on this journey.
Download our Happy Hormone Handbook to track your symptoms today!
References:
1. Witbracht, M.; Keim, NL.; Forester, S.; Widaman, A.; Laugero, K. (1 March 2015). “Female breakfast skippers display a disrupted cortisol rhythm and elevated blood pressure.” Physiology and Behavior. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25545767/
2. Vinall, M. (1 September 2021). “How Sleep Can Affect Your Hormone Levels, Plus 12 Ways to Sleep Deep.” Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/sleep/how-sleep-can-affect-your-hormone-levels
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
The post From imbalanced to “I’m balanced”: 6 simple ways to balance your hormones appeared first on Young Living Blog – US EN.
