Hormonal health is becoming increasingly important among women but impacts all genders, making it crucial for employee productivity and general business success
Signe Svanfeldt is the Lead Nutritionist at Lifesum, a highly popular healthy eating platform
Hormonal health is an issue for all employees, and leaders can support their teams by effectively prioritizing it in the workplace and managing related issues by embracing an open and flexible mindset.
Women’s hormonal cycles span approximately four weeks and evolve across life stages, impacting work performance if not managed effectively.
Lifesum’s U.S. Workplace Wellbeing Trends report shows that 40% of Gen Z and Millennial women are willing to quit their jobs tomorrow for one that better supports their female cycle. This finding alone should be a huge wake-up call for organizations.
And the economic figures are deeply concerning. A recent US study shows that menopause costs American women an estimated $1.8 billion in lost working time per year, while a recent UK study shows that one million women left their jobs due to menopause symptoms.
To help today’s diverse workforce, employers must offer relevant support and information tailored to women’s changing needs.
Supporting Women in the Workplace
Employers can effectively support women’s hormonal health by prioritizing educational resources and workshops covering topics such as how nutrition impacts hormonal health, the menstrual cycle, reproductive health, and the impact of hormonal fluctuations on overall wellbeing.
Providing a nutrition-first approach can help employees make smarter food choices and provide a holistic understanding of dietary impacts on hormonal balance. Last year, Lifesum became the world’s first company to launch a Hormonal Meal Plan, which provides personalized health insights, guidance and support, recipes and feedback on macronutrients, and is trusted by some of the world’s leading organizations to increase workforce wellness outcomes.
Offering a nutrition-led solution benefits all employees, promoting a healthier and more productive workforce.
How Nutrition Impacts Hormonal Health
Nutrition is crucial to achieving and maintaining good hormonal health. However, the prevalence of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), excess sodium, saturated fats, and refined sugars within the Standard American Diet poses a significant threat to hormonal balance.
Without a well-rounded, nutrient-rich diet, which includes adequate portions of complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, and healthy fats, the body struggles to produce and regulate hormones effectively. An imbalance may lead to adverse outcomes, including insulin resistance and erratic hormone fluctuations, undermining overall performance.
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How Hormonal Health Impacts Business Success
Hormonal health impacts all genders, and is crucial for business success, as it regulates various bodily functions, and impacts stress, mental health, and productivity–all essential for peak performance.
Hormones act as crucial messengers, regulating physiological functions like growth, metabolism, mood and reproductive health. Maintaining hormonal balance is vital for optimal bodily performance and overall wellbeing. Recognizing and addressing this is key.
While progress has been made in understanding mental health in the workplace, there remains a blind spot regarding hormonal health and nutrition.
Despite historical associations with reproductive health and gender stereotypes, hormonal health is being redefined beyond traditional boundaries. Recognizing that many wellbeing challenges stem from hormonal and nutritional factors is crucial for holistic employee health.
Breaking the Hormonal Health Stigma
Hormonal health is a universal concern, yet certain aspects, like women’s hormonal health, remain taboo.
Employers must implement strategies to dismantle the stigma surrounding hormonal health. By fostering openness and flexibility, employers can prioritize hormonal health, leading to a happier, more productive workforce.
Educational resources, such as nutrition programs and healthy eating platforms like Lifesum, can equip employees with the knowledge to understand the impact of dietary choices on hormonal health.
This proactive approach contributes to a healthier, more informed workforce.
Gen Z & Hormonal Health Support
Gen Z and Millennials dominate today’s workforce, so understanding the significance of hormonal health and the positive effects of nutrition on workplace outcomes is crucial.This demographic seeks tech-driven initiatives that prioritize inclusivity and overall well-being.
While fertility and family planning benefits remain essential, this generation recognizes the impact of lifestyle factors like nutrition, exercise, and stress on hormonal health. Employers need to offer multifaceted hormonal support to cater to diverse needs effectively.
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Personalized Hormonal Health
Individualized and holistic health strategies play a vital role in managing hormonal health. These customized interventions are based on an individual’s specific hormonal profile, and take into account genetic and lifestyle factors.
By addressing lifestyle elements holistically, such as nutrition and stress management, these strategies can foster preventive care, empower patients, and minimize the likelihood of adverse effects.
Recognizing the symbiotic relationship between physical and mental wellness, these approaches have the potential to promote sustained hormonal equilibrium and enhance overall quality of life.
Rethinking Hormonal Health
Innovations in hormonal health are reshaping our approach to well-being, and fostering a new era of workplace wellness, which empowers everyone to live a longer, healthier life.
The rise of functional medicine and preventive healthcare enables individuals to delve into their foundational hormonal health. Shifting from reactive to proactive care, monitoring comprehensive health indicators, including hormonal balance, lays the groundwork for long-term wellbeing.
Additionally, wearable technology advancements provide insights into hormonal imbalances affecting sleep quality, food cravings, weight, and stress levels.
Employers can prioritize hormonal health through an open, flexible attitude that can help to improve awareness and reduce stigma. A nutrition-led approach is important and can foster a happier and more productive workforce.
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