How hormones help balance effects of stress and social isolation

The phrase, Happy Wife, Happy Life brings a smile to many faces. Happy Hormones, Happy Life is probably a little more accurate, however.

The ability to be well-adjusted, happy, healthy, social beings, even in the face of high stress, trauma and social isolation, relies heavily on the balance of five key hormones. The actions of cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone are part of really what makes the inner world go round.

While these are produced by the adrenal glands, ovaries, and testes, both male and female production after approximately age 50 is primarily from the adrenal glands. Being deficient, producing too much or underutilizing any one of these can make one feel as if it is difficult to manage any stress.

Adrenal glands truly suffer from prolonged, chronic stress. Initially, there are increased hormone demands due to ongoing high stress. Then over time, the glands’ ability to maintain this high production level begins to drop. Low hormone levels begin to be the new normal.

Let’s examine the actions of cortisol and DHEA, which are primarily made by the adrenal glands. These hormones regulate carbohydrate metabolism, so they play roles in cells’ energy production, body weight, fat distribution, body composition, blood sugar regulation and mucosal membrane integrity. Symptoms that indicate an imbalance include fatigue, blood sugar problems, obesity, acid reflux and colitis. Cortisol and DHEA also regulate musculoskeletal functions such as bone turnover, and connective tissue and muscle integrity. Imbalances show up as osteoporosis, arthritis, migrating pains in muscles and joints, and recurrent injuries that won’t heal.

Cortisol and DHEA also help modulate inflammation and the immune system. This includes pro-inflammation and anti-inflammation regulation, the capacity to detoxify heavy metals, toxins and hormones. Imbalances in this function can create low immune function or frequent infection, allergies, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune diseases and a variety of inflammatory symptoms.

Nerve tissue is also highly governed by cortisol and DHEA, which affects memory, learning, sleep and mood. Imbalances can manifest as cognitive decline, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, fatigue, depression and anxiety. These stress hormones interact with various neurotransmitters and other hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.

Progesterone is most well-known for its role in reproduction. In menstruating females, if there is a precipitous drop or inability to maintain adequate levels, this is usually seen in the two to 14 days before a menstrual cycle. Those symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome are usually related to either an excessive estrogen level or a deficient progesterone level. The irritability, sadness, emotional roller-coaster feelings, along with insomnia and other symptoms truly express underlying hormone imbalances. Also, in post-menopausal women, progesterone deficiencies are often the culprit for sleep disruption, cognitive decline, weight gain and mood changes. Studies are showing that progesterone plays a critical role in stress response, and highly influences motivation for affiliation and social contact. The desire to be with others and the feeling of being withdrawn, anxious and depressed are highly influenced by the balance of progesterone.

There are two key insights from realizing that much suffering and disease has a link to hormone imbalances. First, chronic illness can be healed by treating the underlying causes of the imbalances across many systems of the body, including the immune, cardiovascular, and nervous systems; metabolism and blood sugar regulation; muscular-skeletal concerns; and inflammatory diseases. Instead of focusing on the symptoms or discomfort, dial into the physiology of the hormone system that governs the disease.

Second, stress management and new coping skills breathe new life into the adrenal glands. Along with nutritional and herbal support, meditation and other behavioral modifications have distinct abilities to rewrite how the adrenal glands cope with stress. Stress is not something that can be avoided, but the reaction or response to stress can be changed.

The adrenals respond well to adequate time for rest and relaxation by building up reserve capacity. The fight-or-flight message of the sympathetic nervous system must be balanced by the rest-digest-and-repair response of the parasympathetic nervous system, or the whole process blows out of balance. Ways to promote relaxation response include walking in nature, deep breathing exercises, warm baths, yoga, meditation, tai chi, qigong, massage, reflexology, acupressure, acupuncture, EFT tapping, guided imagery, hypnosis, energy balancing, aromatherapy and physical/sexual pleasure.

Through these practices and good nutrition, the improved phrase Happy Adrenals, Happy Life, takes on new meaning for those seeking balance and health.