 In continuing my series on hormones, we are going to tackle the hormone Cortisol in this article. Cortisol is a stress hormone that is released by the adrenal glands. The pituitary is the master gland in the brain that controls the activity of most other hormone-secreting glands and tells the adrenal glands to release cortisol when the body goes into stress. It is your built-in alarm system.
 In this sleep series we have discussed habits, your sleeping environment and now in part 3, we will take a deep look at the physiology of sleep and medical conditions that are related to sleep patterns.
A friend once told me that in their opinion, sleep was a waste of time and there would be plenty of time for that when they were dead. This friend suffers from serious FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and this perspective is literally putting that friend at health risk. After reading this article you will understand why your life might depend on the sleep you get.  In our last article we discussed how our habits affect sleep, but we often give little thought to our sleeping environment. Basically, if there is a bed, we plop down onto it when bedtime rolls around, maybe turn on a TV and wait for sleep to come. For some, it may be a long wait.
I consider sleep, much like eating, a sacred act because it is literally life-giving! Perhaps it’s time to bring a new awareness and new intention to the space in which we sleep. Let’s explore the often-overlooked issue of your sleeping environment.  I recently had the opportunity to attend a special viewing of an excellent and empowering documentary film that explores women’s body image. The film by Taryn Brumfitt is “Embrace: One woman’s journey to inspire everyBODY.” I laughed, I cried, I got angry and I mourned as I watched. I saw myself, my mother, my daughters, my sisters, my friends and my clients, in the the stories shared, and in the alarming statistics cited. The questions were provocative and invited self-reflection. I appreciated the filmmaker looking at both the blatant and subtle influences that shape women’s body images. I admire her courage and passion in bringing this project to the world.
THE CHALLENGES OF BODY IMAGE As women we continue to face challenges about body image both from a societal level, and from those we internally impose on ourselves. One thing is certain. As long as we are at war with our bodies, we will cause ourselves physical, emotional, and psychological damage. Our spirits will be wounded and a sense of peaceful contentment will elude us. As an Integrative Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, specializing in women's health, I really resonated with what the documentarian presented. |
AuthorI'm Carmina McGee, MS, RDN, and my mission is to support women to live their happiest, healthiest lives and THRIVE! 
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