Hidden Hormone Disruptors

Most of us are just trying to get through the day. As we get older, our lives get busier—whether it’s climbing the career ladder, juggling family demands, or keeping up with our friends. Life is full, and many of us are simply trying to “make it through.”

But here’s the thing: this constant go-go-go mindset? It’s setting our hormones up for a roller coaster.

We’ve all heard about hormones in the media, and there’s a good reason for that—hormones rule everything in our bodies, no matter your gender. And they’re incredibly sensitive. A small shift in one hormone can trigger a whole cascade of changes—leading to mood swings, weight gain, mental fog, low energy, and even chronic illness.

The good news? There are small things you can do daily to help your hormones regulate naturally. Here are my top three ways to support your hormones without going overboard.

Artificial Fragrances

Nothing irks me more than getting into a car and seeing those little hanging air freshener trees. If you love those—no offense—but I can’t stand them! I know they smell good, but have you ever wondered what’s in them?

The answer: phthalates. These chemicals are known to interfere with your endocrine system—think thyroid, pancreas, pituitary gland, and adrenals.

And they’re not just in car fresheners. Phthalates are common in:

• Laundry detergent

• Shampoo

• Aftershave and cologne

• Perfumes

• Air fresheners

• Bathroom sprays

Using these regularly can shift your cortisol, thyroid hormones, and melatonin levels.

• For men, that could mean lower testosterone, mood swings, sleep issues, and even fertility challenges.

• For women, it might show up as PMS, brain fog, fatigue, and stubborn weight gain.

What’s the swap?
One of my favorite tools is essential oils. My hormone-supporting essential oil rollers are a clean, simple alternative—free from endocrine disruptors and full of feel-good plant magic. You can also use resources like ewg.org to find clean product options and scan your current lineup for synthetic fragrance or phthalates.

Plastics

This one’s tough—plastic is everywhere. It’s in our food packaging, water bottles, and even our clothes. But the more we use plastic, the more we absorb xenoestrogens—synthetic compounds that mimic estrogen in the body. And that’s problematic for everyone.

• In men, xenoestrogens can lower testosterone and contribute to weight gain.

• In women, they disrupt the delicate balance of estrogen and progesterone, leading to PMS, foggy thinking, and metabolic shifts.

What’s the swap?
Removing all plastic might not be realistic, so focus on the easiest first steps:

• Switch to stainless steel or glass water bottles.

• Ditch plastic takeout containers.

• Replace Teflon pans with ceramic ones.

• Install a good water filter to reduce BPA and “forever chemicals.”

• If you’re ready to go deeper, look into 100% cotton underwear and workout clothes to limit synthetic exposure.

Overtraining & Underrecovering

HIIT workouts and daily cardio are great ways to keep our lungs and hearts strong, but done daily or without recovery can be problematic for our hormones. They can wear down your body and spike your cortisol, your stress hormone. Don’t get me wrong—movement is essential! But if you feel more exhausted after you work out, your body is likely telling you that it was too much.

This is even more true if you're already under stress. The timing of your workouts also matters—intense movement too close to bedtime (less than 4 hours before bed) can keep your cortisol high, making sleep elusive. To get deep, restful sleep, you actually need your cortisol to drop at night.

What’s the swap?
Balance is my go-to. Personally, I rotate between weight training, Pilates, and boxing in the morning. I walk during the day, then do gentle stretching or mindful movement in the evening. It helps me get the best of cardio, strength, and nervous system support.

Some days, I skip morning workouts entirely—especially if my body is asking for rest. Listening to your body is key

In Conclusion

These changes may seem small, but they have a powerful ripple effect. The more we understand what’s causing our hormones to shift, the better equipped we are to get to the root of the issue.

Supporting your hormones isn’t about perfection—it’s about awareness, intention, and steady support. Tools like health coaching, NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), and Reiki can help you reconnect to your body and start shifting your health at a deep level.

Many of my clients feel a positive shift within just four sessions. If this sounds like something you're ready for, let’s hop on a free 15-minute consultation. I’d love to support you.

Mark your calendar — some upcoming events:

• IN PERSON, Long Branch, NJ: Waves & Wellness Expo
  Time: 11:00 – 4 pm EST
  Location: White Chapel Project 

  15 2nd Ave, Long Branch, NJ 07740-6796 ·

• INSTAGRAM LIVES: I have a few upcoming lives!

  • June 18th @ 7 pm EST - The Generational Bullsh*t Around Food, co-host Donna Mintz

  • June 25th @ 10 AM EST - The Shift Within: Unpacking the hormone changes that shape our lives, Part Two, co-host Roberta Morris