What the heck is the Endocrine System (and how to support it for cyclical health)? 

The endocrine system has a huge job to do and influences almost every cell, organ, and function of your body.

It is made up of glands that make your hormones and releases them into the bloodstream which then travel to cells in other parts of the body.

Hormones are the body's chemical messengers (think little carrier pigeons) 

They carry information and instructions from one set of cells to another.

But what does it do? 

Brace for the science…..

The endocrine hormones play a crucial role in regulating mood, growth, development, metabolism, reproduction, and organ functions. 

This intricate system carefully controls the release of hormones, influenced by existing levels in the bloodstream. Things that can vary hormone levels are stress, infection, and shifts in the balance of fluid and minerals in the blood.

What makes up the Endocrine system? 

Hypothalamus

The Hypothalamus is the maestro of your endocrine system and controls the whole show. It uses information from your nervous system to tell other glands when to produce hormones. It's your mood, hunger, thirst, sleep, and sexy time manager.

Pituitary Gland 

Known as the "master gland," it bosses around other hormone glands like your thyroid, adrenals, and ovaries. It also plays a big role in reproduction, signalling the release of hormones and keeping tabs on the menstrual cycle.

Pineal Gland

Hangs out in the middle of your brain, releasing melatonin (essential for a good night's sleep) to keep your sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm) in check.

👉 5 Ways to Increase Your Productivity Using Your Circadian Rhythm!

Thyroid Gland

Your thyroid is the don of your metabolism. It's the one in charge of determining how quickly your cells convert food into energy. The hormones it produces are key players in helping bone strength and even play a role in the development of your brain and nervous system.

Parathyroid Glands

Sidekicks to the thyroid, the parathyroid regulates calcium levels in the blood. Important for heart, kidney, bone, and nervous system harmony.

Thymus

Your immune system warrior. The thymus gland (located in your upper chest) processes white blood cells to fight off infections. It is part of both the endocrine and immune systems.

Pancreas

The pancreas is your insulin and glucagon factory. These hormones make sure your organs work smoothly and keep blood sugar levels in check to keep your body supplied with stores of energy. 

It is both part of the endocrine system (hello hormones) and the digestive system where it releases enzymes into the digestive tract

👉 5 Food Rules for Happier Hormones (and a Happier You)

Adrenal Glands

This duo handles your salt and water balance, stress response, metabolism, immune system, and sexual development. They are the adrenaline pumpers in stressful situations.

Ovaries

Your ovaries release estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. This little trio are responsible for reproduction and the peaks and troughs of energy you experience through your menstrual cycle. You may have seen their work! 

For our male bodies counterparts, testicles replace ovaries in their endocrine system.

How to support your endocrine system 

Simples - Start supporting your cyclical health

The endocrine system regulates the body's hormonal balance, and menstrual cycles are intricately connected to this system. Things don't work in isolation, so when you start caring for one part of the system, it has a knock-on effect that brings harmony to your entire inner ecosystem. 

Menstrual Awareness

Knowing and understanding your menstrual cycle by charting helps you anticipate its shifts and patterns so you always know what you need and when to support you. It also helps you to spot any irregularities or hormonal imbalances easily.

👉 Discover what the inner seasons of your cycle are HERE

Hormonal Balance 

Regular periods with minimal pain = Hormone harmony. Irregular periods, PMS, or menstrual disorders indicate a disturbance in the force. 

But you can manage these imbalances with a few lifestyle adjustments that can help restore a little equilibrium. 

Nutrition for Hormonal Support

Tailoring your diet to support hormonal health during different phases of your menstrual cycle is beneficial. For example, ensuring adequate nutrients like iron, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D at specific times can positively influence hormonal balance.

👉 5 Food Rules for Happier Hormones (and a Happier You)

Regular Movement

I don't call it exercise (a punishment for something you ate); instead, I move for JOY! Moving your body supports both your menstrual cycle and endocrine system to 

• Moderate Insulin Sensitivity (the body's ‘sugar street sweeper’ responsible for ‘sweeping’ sugar in your blood into energy storage) 
• Promote Endorphin Release (your happy, feel-good hormones)
• Reduces Stress Hormones ( cortisol and epinephrine, aka adrenaline)
• Supports Ovulation (the Queen of your cycle)
• Regulates Hormone Harmony
• Improves Sleep Quality
• Enhances Metabolism

Adequate Sleep

Sleep is where all the most important stuff in your body happens, this is when you rest, digest and heal. Poor sleep = poor hormone harmony.

Start developing better sleep hygiene by working with your circadian rhythm,

👉 5 Ways to Increase Your Productivity Using Your Circadian Rhythm!

Cyclical Self-Care

Tailoring your self-care practices to align with your menstrual cycle is the greatest act of self-compassion you can make. You have less energy during menstruation, so it doesn't make sense to keep pushing. Likewise, during ovulation, you may have more energy (in a balanced cycle), and this is the time to challenge yourself. 

When you work in alignment with what's happening on the inside, life feels a whole lot smoother on the outside. 

And the best way to get started with this is to chart your cycle! You can grab your FREE guide and charting tool here to get started supporting your endocrine system today.