How Hormones Play a Crucial Role in Your Energy Levels as a Woman

If you’re feeling wiped out—no matter how much sleep you get, how many cups of coffee you’ve downed, or how many energy drinks you’ve chugged—then this post is for you. Maybe it's that Diet Coke habit (I've heard that one too!). Whatever your “go-to fix” is for exhaustion, if you're still feeling like a zombie by midday, it’s time to stop and think: could your hormones be the culprit?

Today, we're diving deep into how your hormones might be playing a huge role in your energy levels. And, more importantly, what you can start doing about it. Because, if you’re feeling constantly exhausted, juggling work, life, and responsibilities, you are NOT alone.

You’re not imagining it. You’re not "just tired." There’s a real connection between your hormones and how much energy you have throughout the day. And understanding that connection might just be the key to getting your energy (and sanity) back.

Let’s get into it!

The Big 3 Hormones That Control Your Energy

Let’s talk about the three hormonal heavy-hitters when it comes to your energy. You’ve probably heard their names before, but today, we’re going a little deeper into how they mess with your day (and your night). Then, I’ll show you how you can take control. Here they are:

1. Cortisol
2. Thyroid Hormones
3. Estrogen & Progesterone

Cortisol: Your “Stress Hormone” (or why you’re exhausted at 2 pm)

You might know cortisol as the "stress hormone," but it’s actually a lot more than that. Cortisol plays a crucial role in your sleep-wake cycle and keeping you alert during the day. Ideally, cortisol follows a specific curve: it spikes in the morning to get you out of bed and ready to face the day. Then, it slowly tapers off as the day goes on.

But if you're constantly stressed—whether it’s work deadlines, running the household, or internal stress like inflammation or gut issues—your cortisol curve can get out of whack. And when cortisol gets wonky, you end up feeling completely drained during the day and then wide awake at night, staring at the ceiling like a cartoon character. Sound familiar?

• Ever feel exhausted all day but can’t sleep at night? Yep, that's cortisol messing with you.
• Or maybe you wake up around 2 or 3 a.m. and can’t go back to sleep? Cortisol again.
• Feel like you slept like a rock but wake up feeling like a truck ran over you? That’s a cortisol red flag.

It’s frustrating, right? Cortisol isn’t the bad guy here—it’s doing its best to help you handle life. But when it’s constantly in overdrive, you’re going to pay the price with your energy.

Thyroid Hormones: Your Body’s Energy Thermostat

Here’s the deal with your thyroid hormones—they act like your body’s thermostat for energy. I’m going to say that again because it’s so important: your thyroid is the thermostat for how much energy you’ve got to give.

If your thyroid isn’t functioning properly, like if you have even mild hypothyroidism, everything slows down. It’s like trying to drag yourself through mud every day. Your energy is low, you’re sluggish, and you might be dealing with a whole list of other symptoms too: weight gain, hair loss, cold hands and feet.

• Ever feel cold all the time? Like you’re the one carrying a jacket everywhere, while everyone else is comfy?
• Or the opposite—you’re always too hot? Fanning yourself like you’re in the middle of a heatwave?

Both of these can point to a thyroid issue. And here’s the kicker: thyroid problems are super common in women, and many don’t even know they have one because their symptoms are written off as "just being busy."

Estrogen & Progesterone: The Balancing Act for Your Energy

Estrogen and progesterone are like the dynamic duo of your hormonal world. They fluctuate naturally throughout your menstrual cycle and as you age, but for many women, the balance between them is off. When estrogen dominates or progesterone is too low, you’re going to feel it in the form of low energy, anxiety, and even mood swings.

For many women, too much estrogen (or not enough progesterone) leads to what we call estrogen dominance. This can leave you feeling drained, irritable, and prone to anxious thoughts.

I get it—trust me, I’ve been there. I used to struggle with anxiety, and I’ll be the first to tell you, it’s not something you can just “mind over matter” through. When your hormones are out of balance, your energy will plummet—like can’t-get-out-of-bed plummet.

So, What Can You Do to Get Your Energy Back?

Now that we’ve covered the main hormones affecting your energy, let's talk about how you can start balancing them and get back to feeling like yourself again.

1. Manage Stress (and Build Stress Resilience)

Stress management is key to supporting cortisol and adrenal function. I know, easier said than done. But here’s the thing: reducing or managing your stress is the first step. The second step? Building stress resilience.

• What’s the difference? Managing stress is about setting boundaries (like saying no more often). Building resilience is about training your body to handle stress better—both the good and the bad kind.

Simple steps can make a huge difference. Try setting boundaries at work, making sure you’re not saying yes to every single thing, and carving out downtime during your day.

2. Nourish Your Thyroid

Many women are walking around with low-grade thyroid dysfunction and don’t even realize it. The good news? Supporting your thyroid through proper nutrition can make a massive difference.

For example, selenium is a mineral that helps your thyroid function optimally, and you can get it from just two Brazil nuts a day. (Yep, two nuts. Easy, right?)

3. Balance Your Blood Sugar

This is one of the simplest ways to keep your energy steady throughout the day. When your blood sugar spikes and crashes, your hormones have to work overtime, which sends your energy levels on a rollercoaster.

Start by ensuring that each meal you eat contains:

• Protein
• Healthy fats
• Fiber

These three things will help slow the absorption of sugar into your bloodstream, keeping you fuller longer and preventing those dreaded energy crashes (and the caffeine cravings that follow).

The Bottom Line

If you’re constantly feeling fatigued, there’s a good chance your hormones are playing a much bigger role than you realize. Cortisol, thyroid hormones, estrogen, and progesterone—they’re all connected to your energy levels.

The good news is that once you understand this connection, you can start making changes to get your energy back. By managing stress, nourishing your thyroid, and balancing your blood sugar, you’ll be well on your way to feeling more energized and resilient.

And if you need help figuring all of this out, that’s what I’m here for. Inside the Optimal Balanced Health Program, we take a deep dive into your hormones, energy levels, and overall health. We help exhausted women like you reset their energy and get their life back.

Want to learn more? Join the waitlist for our next group program and let’s chat about how we can help you get your energy back on track.