Adrenaline and cortisol, the survival hormones, are the 2 major players that trigger the fight or flight response to real or perceived threats to our wellbeing. Most are perceived!

Adrenaline provides a short term stress response and decreases quickly. Cortisol stays active longer, so with each surge, more cortisol is released making us feel “battle ready” most of the time. This soon becomes a way of life!

Cortisol is like Fred Flintstone – Loud, over excitable, and hard to get rid of!!!

Excess cortisol can also play a role in the development of cancer and recurring infections, especially of the respiratory system

Many women think that excess cortisol is responsible for their weight gain, but in fact, it hinders the optimal function of insulin leading to weight gain around the waist.

There is also a strong link between increased cortisol and depression. This begins before menopause and should be considered a serious risk factor.

If stress becomes a permanent way of life, cortisol becomes a permanent guest in your bloodstream and this becomes problematic.

Cortisol’s main balancing partner is DHEA, and it is made primarily in the adrenal glands. It reduces bad cholesterol, increases muscle mass and energy, and builds and repairs proteins

But if stress is prolonged and a constant, DHEA levels plummet. One study showed that just after 28 days of continuous stress, cortisol levels climbed to 240% above starting values, and DHEA fell 15% below the starting values. And what’s worse, is the body still had trouble bringing itself back into a state of balance after the stress was removed.

We need to lead as much as we can, STRESS FREE LIVES!

Now we also have Oxytocin which is a naturally occurring hormone in both men and women, but are found in higher levels in women, offering an alternative plan of action for coping with stress.

Whereas men tended to isolate themselves in response to stress, women found comfort in tending children and befriending other women. This was termed the “tend and befriend response”. The more oxytocin a woman has, the more this response will kick in.

In addition, the more a woman “tends and befriends” others, the more her oxytocin levels increase, countering the effects of stress, producing a calming effect.

Low levels of oxytocin, like high doses of cortisol, are associated with major depression. Surround yourself with a strong female support system. Women of like mind who will challenge you when you get stuck, give you a hug when you need one, women who will love you for who you are.

It is believed that stress is at the root of most women’s health concerns. It sets off hormonal imbalance leading to everything from menstrual cramps and menopausal concerns to very serious illness.

So we, as strong independent, hot, flashing women, need to get our ducks in a row. We need to start taking care of ourselves first. We need to stop trying to please everyone and outspending our body’s reserves. If the ducks don’t line up, get rid of them!

Begin today to start creating the life you have dreamed of. Begin to live the life we really want to be living. Take baby steps now, and soon your life will be saturated with more joy than stress, more meaning than emptiness, and more health than disorder.

DIET -avoid fast and highly processed foods -cut down and/or avoid sugar and simple or refined carbohydrates -cut down on stimulants -get enough sleep. Raises DHEA levels -eat fresh fruits and vegetables, and foods high in fiber -get omega 3’s into your diet. Raises DHEA levels significantly -exercise – find something you enjoy so you stick with it

SUPPLEMENTATION -extremely important due to the state of our food supply and our chronic stress levels. -A high quality liquid supplementation is a great source of nutrients as it supports your body immediately. Young Living Oils NingXia Red is an excellent whole food source, high in powerful antioxidents, amino acids, minerals and vitamins.

Probiotics are needed for good gut health. If our good bacteria is being over ran with the bad bacteria, the result will be a chronically weakened immune system leading to a whole host of other health issues. Great health begins in the Gut!!! Young Living Oils Life 5 provides a daily boost of 5 of the most clinically proven and advanced probiotics,including 3 super strains that represent the most health- promoting and viable strains ever prepared in a supplement.

A good fiber supplement is also very beneficial. If we are not eliminating as as we could be because we are not eating enough foods high in fiber, that waste sits in our intestines, affecting our overall health. Lack of fiber can lead to leaky gut syndrome. Young Living Oils ComforTone is a herbal formulation combined with powerful essential oils that are anti parasitic, anti inflammatory, ease intestinal cramps, help soothe the discomforts of the digestive tract, and aid in the elimination process. The unique essential oil Ocotea, which comes from the Amazon, is extremely powerful in combatting Candida.

Omega 3 supplementation is very important as it can significantly raise DHEA levels in the body. Omega 3’s also reduce systematic inflammation and support cardiovascular, joint, eye and brain health. Young Living Oils OmegaGize is clinically proven and free from mercury and other toxins. Its precision delivery coating triples omega 3 absorption by releasing these stable, bioactive nutrients directly in the intestines.

PHYTOESTROGENS -come from plants and work as estrogens helping with menopausal symptoms when estrogen levels are too low, and as anti estrogens when estrogen levels are too high, reducing the risk of estrogen linked cancers. -are transformed by good bacteria in the gut during digestion. It is only once this transformation has taken place that the phytoestrogens can exercise their beneficial effects on the body.

HORMONAL SUPPLEMENTATION Young Living Oils “Estro” is an herbal tincture containing plant derived phytoestrogens such as black and blue cohosh, which are widely used in Europe as safe alternatives to synthetic estrogen. It also contains the essential oil Clary Sage that is very calming and emotionally balancing. It helps ease the discomforts of menstrual cramps and assists in the transition of menopause, regulating hormonal imbalances. Estro also contains royal jelly extract which is rich in amino acids, minerals and vitamins B5 and B6 and helps to provide immune stimulating properties and energy. Any woman will appreciate the great results from using and enjoying the wonderful responses this product gives!

Young Living Oils Progessence Plus Serum is a clear smooth liquid that easily penetrates the skin. Pure, USP Grade “super micronized” progesterone from wild yam is infused into therapeutic grade essential oils that help to balance and normalize hormone levels. -Another great benefit is that there is no need to change application sites like progesterone creams.

Young Living Oils Dragon Time relieves PMS symptoms and menstrual discomforts, including cramping and irregular periods. It helps to balance emotions, alleviating mood swings and headaches caused by hormonal imbalance Dragon Time Massage Oil combines specially blended vegetable oils with pure lavender, ylang ylang, and other essential oils that deliver natural phytoestrogens to balance and stabalize the body.

Young Living Oils Lady Sclareol This blend is rich in phytoestrogens, is designed to be worn with its exquisite fragrance. It enhances the feminine nature by improving mood and raising estrogen levels. It may also provide relief for PMS symptoms. Young Living Oils SclarEssence Helps to increase estrogen levels by supporting the body’s own production of hormones. It combines the soothing effects of peppermint with the balancing power of fennel and clary sage and the calming action of Spanish sage.