4 Secrets to Balanced Hormones: How to Feel Better During Every Phase of Your Cycle
If you’ve ever felt like your hormones are running the show — one week you’re thriving, the next you’re crying over a burnt piece of toast — you’re not alone. But here’s the truth: your cycle isn’t the problem. It’s the map.

For years, I blamed myself for feeling “off.” The mood swings, the exhaustion, the cramps that made me want to hide in bed — I thought that was just part of being a woman. Turns out, it wasn’t a personality flaw. It was my body asking for support.

Let’s talk about four simple but powerful shifts that can completely change how you feel throughout your month.

🧠 Secret #1: PMS Is a Hormone Imbalance, Not a Personality Flaw
Those pre-period mood swings aren’t all in your head — they’re your hormones speaking. The luteal phase (the days before your period) can bring irritability, anxiety, or low energy when progesterone levels are out of balance. Once you understand what’s really going on, you can stop blaming yourself and start making supportive changes — like better sleep, less caffeine, and more nourishment.

🍫 Secret #2: Magnesium and B6 Are Cycle Gold
Magnesium and vitamin B6 are two nutrients your hormones love. They help your body produce progesterone, ease cramps, and calm the nervous system. Try adding magnesium-rich foods like dark chocolate, leafy greens, and pumpkin seeds to your meals, or consider a quality supplement if needed. It’s a small shift that can make a big difference.

🧘‍♀️ Secret #3: Gentle Movement Beats HIIT in Your Luteal Phase
Your body naturally slows down before your period — and that’s not weakness, it’s wisdom. During this time, skip the high-intensity workouts and focus on walking, yoga, stretching, or Pilates. These kinds of movement support hormone balance, reduce stress, and help your body transition smoothly into your next cycle.

💆‍♀️ Secret #4: Calming Your Nervous System Supports Your Hormones
When cortisol (your stress hormone) stays high, it competes with progesterone — leaving you more anxious, moody, and fatigued. Simple habits like deep breathing, journaling, or setting firmer boundaries can help regulate your stress response and support hormonal balance. The calmer your nervous system, the more balanced your cycle will feel.

Your Cycle Is Not the Enemy — It’s Your Superpower

Your body isn’t broken or working against you. She’s communicating. When you start syncing your nutrition, movement, and mindset with your cycle, you’ll notice fewer symptoms and more ease.

Because your hormones were never meant to make life harder — they were designed to guide you toward balance, rest, and renewal.

🌿 Want to Learn More?
If this post resonated with you, you’ll love what I share in my weekly emails — simple, science-backed tips to help you support your hormones, boost your energy, and feel more like yourself again (without the overwhelm).

👉 Join my email list here to get my best hormone and wellness tips delivered straight to your inbox.

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Meet Leah Negrin

 
I am a bold, beautiful, sometimes timid, usually happy, essential oil, nutrition junkie. Although at 39 I feel as if I've had several careers over a lifetime (or at least sometimes when I look back at my resume that is what shines through). I've been a paralegal, an office manager, an administrative assistant, worked in commercial lending and have finally landed on nutrition.

My journey to nutrition started many years ago when my sister was diagnosed with celiac disease and food had to change for the family. From there, along my own health journey I’ve helped people not only figure out what to eat but how to do it so that it can work for them sustainably. For almost seven years I’ve been counseling people on their nutrition and weight loss journeys. 

Finally getting some sunshine in Southern California *Photo credit  Brittany Hassett 

I am knowledgeable about what purpose food serves your body and I focus on finding sustainable options when it comes to food; this also led to my love of essential oils. I had the opportunity to attend a workshop where a registered dietitian spoke about using essential oils in her practice to help her patients. I was floored. I knew that #plantsheal but I didn't realize that others in the 'conventional' medical community thought that as well!! Learning that it was possible to incorporate these magical little bottles gave me a huge sense of hope.


Alina, myself and Caitlin (oily bffs) *Photo credit Anne Negrin

 
As I learned more about these oils I was diagnosed with increased intestinal permeability or as many of us know it, leaky gut. Leaky gut has been around for quite awhile but many of us are just learning what this is or why this is even more common these days than ever before. Many issues can be related to leaky gut including autoimmune diseases. Receiving this diagnosis just led me down a path further to learn about nutrition and how to best serve my body and take care of myself.


Enjoying a vegan ice cream cone in Budapest! *Photo credit to Michelle Owen 

Since birthing our sweet baby boy at home earlier this year I’ve been incredibly passionate about helping other women too who are pregnant and new mothers with their nutrition. Eating healthy for your pregnant body and your postpartum self is a game changer for both mother and baby.

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