Does Christmas play havoc with your hormones? Hormonal imbalances are caused by a combination of factors LIFESTYLE INCLUDING DIET, MEDICAL HISTORY, GENETICS, STRESS, EXPOSURE TO ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS, AGE and CHRISTMAS. Well, we are in December and it’s officially the festive season – the time for burning the candle at both ends, stressing about money, presents, time management, family members, work commitments, alcohol induced office parties and much more! All these factors together with large intakes of alcohol or caffeine, long parties, reduced sleep, STRESS and poor food choices will impact on your hormones. You could develop Christmas hormones. So, as we are early into the festive season here are a few suggestions to help Christmas hormones at bay.
Eat Healthy Fats (Including coconut oil and avocados)

My four favorite sources of anti-inflammatory anti Christmas hormones fats are coconut oil, avocados, grass-fed butter, wild-caught salmon and trout. Coconut oil can be used for cooking, as a moisturiser, to clean your teeth and much more. From a naturopathic viewpoint it contains anti-bacterial and fat-burning properties so ensure you use some good quality, organic coconut oil daily.
Eat Fish: salmon and trout are one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to lower inflammation and help with cognitive function so this is a good time to load up on rich sources of natural omega-3s (other options include wild fish and shellfish, flaxseed, chia seeds, walnuts and grass-fed animal products).
Happy hormones like foods high in gamma linolenic acid (GLA) which has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. GLA has anti-inflammatory properties and I have found it helpful for reducing menopause and premenstrual syndrome (PMS), breast tenderness, mood swings, hot flashes and Christmas hormones. All symptoms more likely to present over the festive season when you are likely to be partying rather than mindful living. Foods containing GLA include borage oil, starflower, evening primrose and hemp. Borage can be used on salads, as a massage oil or on your face to treat spots and hormonal acne. Borage oil can be bought at most health food shops. Hemp is an amazing plant product and again can be used transdermally and internally. Many vegans find hemp protein powder an excellent source of amino acids. Hemp associated products can also be purchased at health food shops. If you click of these links use “Maple” promo code for a 10% discount.
Here are some great recipes to download for your hormone health
Download Recipes and Ideas To Support Immunity
Keep hydrated
Water is the most refreshing and revitalizing liquid. It has the ability to dissolve and remove impurities from our blood. According to research published in the Biochemistry (1) journal, changes in tissue hydration significantly influences hormonal balance, concentration of toxins and the uptake of nutrients.
Here is how poor water intake affects hormonal balance:
- Affects liver and kidney detoxification: Water maintains our circulatory pressure. When we don’t drink enough water our overall circulatory pressure decreases. This affects the detoxification and blood supply of the kidneys and liver. Since most hormones in our body are metabolized by the liver and excreted by the kidneys, any disturbance in the functioning of these organs can directly lead to healthy hormone status.
- The Brain: Hormone secretion and output is controlled by higher brain centres – such as the pituitary gland. Unfortunately, when we are dehydrated the feedback signals don’t work so well which means that functional hormones may not be released adequately.
- Toxins: Most glands are very sensitive to the concentration of toxins in the blood. Alcohol and caffeine both cause dehydration in the body. When we are dehydrated our bodies can’t release the toxins and hangovers will linger not to mention hormonal imbalances and symptoms such as spots, breast tenderness, anxiety, mood swings, fatigue and insomnia. Also consider the toxicity within your tampons.
- Drink good quality water – If you don’t have a water filter then I urge you to buy filtered water. Use non Bisphenol A (BPA) products to carry your water in. Researchers have uncovered an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) in commercialized bottled water, according to a study published in the journal PLOS ONE. EDCs are man-made compounds that are commonly used in many plastics. These compounds interfere with our hormone systems, particularly reproductive systems. In 2010, Medical News Today reported on a study which revealed that adults who had been exposed to EDCs prenatally may be at higher risk of breast cancer, For more information on this look at Medical News Today
- Bathe in Magnesium Salts. The average adult female requires between 280 and 300 milligrams of magnesium daily. If you suffer from fibroids or any uterine disorder you may need more than the recommended amount, although you should discuss the proper dosage with a qualified nutrition or naturopathic practitioner . Magnesium is found in foods like leafy greens, nuts, tofu, legumes, potatoes with the skin on, whole grains but you can also take it via a supplement or relax in an Epsom Salt Bath (Contraindications: Heart trouble, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Pregnancy)
- Epsom Salt Baths are made of the mineral magnesium sulphate. When magnesium sulphate is absorbed through the skin (such as in a bath) it draws toxins from the body, sedates the nervous system, reduces swelling, relaxes muscles and is a natural emollient and exfoliator. Hot water draws toxins out of the body to the skin’s surface, and whilst the water cold it pulls toxins from the skin. Directions: Dissolve up to 500 mg of Epsom salts in a warm bath. Lay back and relax for up to 20 minutes. Do not use soap or body wash etc. When you get out of the bath have a short cool shower. Drink plenty of fluids.Reference: Haussinger, D. (1996). The role of cellular hydration in the regulation of cell function. Biochem. j, 313, 697-710.
Download Superfoods for Fertility and Hormone Health
Spend some time in silence daily
This is so important. Mindfulness and meditation is the number one support tool. It is fantastic to reduce stress and Christmas hormone horror. If you have never experienced it then I really suggest you try. There are many forms of meditation – mindful, such as eating mindfully, yoga, prayer, singing, art therapy, mantra chant, or visualisations which take you on a journey. You can even try transcendental meditation. Here are some recordings for you to listen to but you may prefer to come to see me for a 1-2-1 meditation class or scroll down to read more about how to experience meditation in one of my workshops or seasonal programmes
Maintain your focus! Start January with good intentions
January is not the time to begin a detox despite the fact that globally everyone seems to think it is! Spring time offers the all important detox (click here for my Spring Hormone Balancing Detox beginning March). Actually, during the winter months it is time to “go within” and focus on you! It is the season when immense personal growth and a profound re-balancing process can occur. It is time to examine what is working in your life and what isn’t. It is a good idea to form business plans and step by step coaching plans as to how you can/will achieve any new goals and ambitions you have for 2017. So how can I help you?
Winter: Rejuvenate and relax – £300 for 6 treatments Available: December 1st – February 28th/29th
With short days and long evenings this seasonal signature health programme offers time to rejuvenate, relax and rebalance Christmas hormones. I invite you to a course of 6 hour treatments comprising 30 minutes back neck and shoulders hot stones massage, followed by a lymphatic facial massage in the Far Infrared “Cocoon”. End with a cup of steaming home made turmeric tea.
Here’s an explanation about manual lymphatic drainage massage MLDexplanation
For more details about this supper Winter Special Offer click here
The Women’s Circle. Connecting with the ancestors (mothers/grandmothers and beyond)
I begin my 2017 workshops shortly after the festival of Imbolc, the Gaelic 1st day of Spring although officially February is still considered winter.
This first workshop offers 4 women’s circle meetings.
We will begin each meeting with a mindful movement meditation. (This is an ancient women’s dance of life which promotes a deeply transformational and powerful connection with the feminine and male ancestors, earth, elements and heart).
We continue with sitting in circle developing our connection with the ancestors and complete with a period of Mother Earth healing.
If enough interest is generated then I hope to continue the group but meet once per month thereafter. This circle is suitable for anyone with some form of healing modality and an interest in psychic development. Please contact me for further information and guidance. Friday mornings 9.30 – 11 am February 3rd, 10th, 17th , 24th £40.00, Hampton Hill
Saturday February 4th 2017 Coming Home and Finding Balance £35 per person. A Love Your Womb Workshop. 2 pm – 5 pm @ Heart-Twickenham
Amanda Wilkes from Amanda Wilkes Yoga and I invite you to another Love Your Womb workshop. This is an amazing womb yoga workshop for women at all stages of their life.
Today we include elemental practices, deep restorative rest, gentle yoga movement and balancing pranayama. We explore natural remedies to balance hormones, offer nutrition guidance and discuss the use of essential oils.
Come home. Find balance and equilibrium, regardless of where you are in your cycle of life.
The womb centre is a women’s feminine core and generator of creative potential, bringing balance and loving power, whatever her age and whether she has a womb or not! Womb yoga integrates Eastern and healing philosophy, gentle movement and much more. Enjoy 3 hours of deep restorative relaxation, yoga, naturopathic philosophy, kirtan chant and healing. More information coming soon!
Please email me contact@justineevans.co.uk to reserve your place on any programmes, workshops or request a naturopathic nutritional consultation. You can also call me on 07747 133170.