If you’ve been feeling sluggish lately and don’t have the energy level you had when you were younger, you may be attributing it to your busy personal and professional lives, having things on your mind, or not getting enough sleep. While it’s true all of these things may be playing a factor in how you feel, it’s also possible the underlying cause may be a hormonal imbalance of testosterone or other hormones as well. If you’re wondering just how hormones affect your daily energy levels, here’s your man’s guide to wellness.
Sleep and Testosterone
The amount of sleep and the quality of sleep you get each night have a direct impact on your testosterone level. When you fail to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep on a regular basis, your body has a much harder time maintaining regular testosterone levels that keep you feeling good. As a result, you find yourself in a constant cycle of feeling more and more fatigued. Over time, you’ll start to notice other signs and symptoms of low testosterone, including:
- Loss of muscle,
- Increased fat around the midsection,
- Problems with concentration,
- Anxiety and depression.
Since it’s estimated that five million men deal with low testosterone, getting a good night’s sleep is one way to increase your chances of not being part of this group.
Metabolism and Energy Levels
You may be surprised to learn that the hormones that help to regulate your metabolism are also linked to your energy levels. This is especially true of certain adrenal hormones such as cortisol, which is the hormone that tells your body when you’re hungry. If you find yourself under chronic stress, your body may begin to produce too much cortisol, which then disrupts your body’s metabolic system and has you eating more than you actually need. As this happens, you wind up gaining weight and losing energy, setting the stage for plenty of frustration.
Age Can Take Its Toll
Unfortunately, age can take its toll on your hormones as you get older. While it is true that your testosterone levels will decrease naturally as you age, this does not mean you are doomed to low energy levels for the rest of your life. Instead, your doctor can test your testosterone, thyroid hormones, and cortisol to find out which of these are taking the greatest toll on your daily energy levels. In some cases, hormone therapy that replaces or supplements certain hormones may be needed. However, if you only have a minor hormonal imbalance, your doctor may decide that lifestyle changes may solve your problem and will recommend such changes as:
- Exercising regularly,
- Eating more fruits and vegetables,
- Lowering your stress levels,
- More sleep,
- Stop smoking and limit alcohol.
Even if you are a man in your 50s or beyond, making various lifestyle changes can have a quick and tremendous impact on your daily energy levels.
The Benefits of Hormone Therapy
Should your doctor suggest hormone therapy as a way to get a men’s energy boost that may change your life for the better, the good news is that this form of treatment comes with a variety of proven benefits. Along with improving your energy levels, hormone therapy has also been shown to improve sexual function, reduce the risk of developing diabetes or heart disease, improve cognitive function, and help you regain muscle mass while losing weight. If you have used an at-home hormonal imbalance test kit and believe your testosterone and other hormones are out of balance, you can work with a hormone specialist to do more comprehensive testing and receive a treatment program customized just for your health situation.
Dehydration and Your Hormones
Just like the rest of your body, your hormones also rely on you drinking enough water each day to keep you properly hydrated. If you are already suffering from a hormonal imbalance that is resulting in a decreased energy level, being dehydrated will only make your situation worse. Should you be past age fifty or a man of any age who leads an extremely active lifestyle, drinking enough water is essential each day. Most doctors recommend the average man try to drink about two litres of water per day, so keep this in mind when you are trying to get rid of a hormonal imbalance.
Bottom Line
It’s essential that you pay close attention to your levels of testosterone and other hormones. If you don’t ignore early warning signs of a hormonal imbalance, you can keep your energy levels going strong for many years to come.
