Irritable? Many women our age find themselves grump way too much! Have you ever snapped at someone you love… and then immediately wondered, “What is wrong with me?”
Maybe you’re more impatient than you used to be. Little inconveniences suddenly feel like major problems. You’re overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and you just don’t feel like yourself anymore.
If you’ve been asking, “Why am I so irritable after 40?”, you’re certainly not alone.
While hormonal changes can contribute to mood changes, they aren’t the whole story. Chronic stress, decision fatigue, information overload, and constantly caring for everyone else can leave your nervous system feeling like it’s stuck in overdrive and so very irritable.
The encouraging news? You don’t have to completely change your life to start feeling better. Small daily habits can help bring more peace into your mind and your home.
1. Create a “Pause Before You React” Habit
When something frustrates you, resist the urge to respond immediately.
Instead, pause for just ten seconds. Take one slow breath and ask yourself: “Will this still matter next week?”
Those few seconds often give your emotions time to settle before your words take over. This helps everyone who activates it be much less irritable.
2. Feed Your Mind with Encouragement
What you listen to matters. Instead of starting your day with stressful news or endless social media scrolling, spend 10 to 15 minutes listening to something that encourages you.
Try:
Worship music
An uplifting podcast
An encouraging audiobook
A devotional
A sermon
Your mind needs healthy input just as much as your body needs healthy food. Starve the irritation, feed joy.
3. Calm Your Nervous System with Deep Breathing to be less irritable
One simple breathing exercise can help your body shift from “fight or flight” toward a calmer state, being less irritable.
Try this:
• Take a slow, deep breath in through your nose.
• Before exhaling, take one short second inhale.
• Slowly exhale through your mouth.
Repeat three to five times. It’s simple, free, and can be surprisingly calming during stressful moments.
4. Reduce Decision Fatigue to Be Less Irritable
Many women make hundreds of decisions every day.
What should I cook?
Who needs a ride?
What should I wear?
Who needs me first?
Give tomorrow’s version of yourself a gift. Before bed, write down your three most important priorities for the next day.
Planning ahead helps reduce mental clutter and allows you to begin your morning with purpose instead of overwhelm and will help you be less irritable.
5. Create One Quiet Pocket Every Day
Your brain wasn’t designed to process constant notifications. Give yourself permission to unplug for just ten minutes.
No phone needed.
Stop the television.
Do not check email.
Just quiet.
Sit outside.
Read your Bible.
Enjoy a cup of tea.
Sometimes peace isn’t found by adding more—it’s found by slowing down. This space creates more joy and less irritable mood.
6. Celebrate More Than You Criticize
Our brains naturally notice problems. What if we intentionally looked for victories instead?
Each evening, ask yourself:
What went well today?
Who made me smile?
What encouraged me?
Who can I encourage tomorrow?
Celebrating small wins gradually changes what your mind expects to find, leading to a less irritable mood.
Wellness Products I Personally Enjoy
Healthy habits are always my first recommendation, but I also enjoy using a few Young Living products as part of my daily wellness routine.
Easy to take sachets that include Ashwagandha, and other ingredients that really target women’s needs from early cycling through to even after menopause.
These taste like Carmel. I find them a great addition to my self care routine, resulting in less hot flashes, less mood swings, and over all feeling better! You should try them too.
Stress Away has a warm, relaxing aroma that I enjoy during especially busy days or while winding down in the evening.
I used this almost daily when my kids were younger, especially after stressful school days. I would drip it in my heating/cooling vents in my mini van. It brought an instant change to the atmosphere in a positive way.
Super B contains B vitamins that help support normal energy metabolism. I enjoy taking it as part of my morning routine alongside healthy food, hydration, and other daily habits.
My joke is that I’m a “Super B,” without these. I feel more vibrant, alert, and hopeful taking this supplement. Try it, this might help you as well.
So many clients are thankful for this product. They say it is difficult to find a solid B complex vitamin.
Please note: These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. I simply enjoy incorporating them into my healthy lifestyle alongside nutritious food, movement, hydration, and time with God.
The Bottom Line
If you’ve been wondering, “Why am I so irritable after 40?”, remember this:
You aren’t failing.
You may simply have a nervous system that’s been carrying too much for too long.
Instead of trying to change everything at once, choose one small habit this week.
Pause before reacting.
Listen to something encouraging.
Take a few deep breaths.
Celebrate one small win.
Small steps create big change—and sometimes, the smallest habits bring the greatest peace.
Ready to Create a Healthier, Calmer Home?
Want more wellness naturally? Download my FREE Wellness Guide here for easy small steps to feeling better, moving better, and sleeping better!
Together, we’ll take one small step at a time toward a healthier, more peaceful life.
Hormones can affect nearly every part of how a woman feels. When hormones feel out of sync, the effects can show up in mood, sleep, energy, cravings, stress, weight changes, and overall well-being. For many women, the goal is not a harsh “fix” or a complicated system. It is a gentler path—one that supports hormones in a simple, realistic, and sustainable way.
But first, let’s bond. I’ve been through some stuff myself. I think you should hear me out, so you know I’m not some faker, goody two shoes, spouting off misinformation.
My Hormone Story
For me, after having a partial hysterectomy, then experiencing an abscess, which caused me to lose my other ovary; I know too well about hormones and menopause. (I nearly died).
My hormone journey probably began at 12 years old when Aunt Flow would loose a tidal wave monthly which doubling pads and tampons could not hold. Can we say abnormal?
Once married, I suffered from infertility for about three years. Those thirty six months were some of the most lonely, depressing years of my life. If you identify with this, my heart goes out to you completely. I want you to know there is always hope, no matter what any medical professionals say. (If you are feeling hopeless, please reach out, around ten women that I know of on my team have had decades of infertility, and yet today, they have delivered healthy, happy babies).
Then, into my forties, my periods got so heavy, I couldn’t grocery shop without hemmoraghing. Thus, I had an ablation. But, then I had a 12 pound bleeding polyp wrapped around my uterus. That’s when I was told I had no other option than to have a hysterectomy as quickly as possible.
I share all of this so you know, I understand. And if this is oversharing, charge me – I am guilty, but we need to share this stuff because I think it’s important.
About two years after the hysterectomy I blew up. Voila! I was suddenly sixty pounds heavier. Night sweats plagued me. Mood swings were scary. And, I’d walk into a room and wonder, “What am I doing here?” Not to forget the terminal fatigue. I couldn’t sleep, yet I didn’t want to get out of bed.
No. One. Prepared. Me. For. Any. Of. This.
Hormonal Hope
In my team, we believe hormone support can look calm, clean, and practical. A supportive routine may include essential oils, wellness supplements, nourishing habits, and small daily rituals that help women feel more grounded in the middle of real life.
If you have been looking for a more natural way to support hormones, this guide will walk you through a few favorite Young Living products and simple lifestyle habits that may fit beautifully into your everyday routine.
Why hormones can feel “off” in the first place
Hormones are deeply connected to how the body communicates internally. When hormones shift, a woman may notice changes that seem sudden, even if they have been building quietly over time.
A few common reasons hormones may feel out of balance include:
Stress overload: Long-term stress can make hormone symptoms feel more intense.
Perimenopause and menopause: Midlife changes can affect hormones in ways that impact mood, sleep, body composition, and energy.
Poor sleep: Hormones and sleep are closely linked. When sleep suffers, many women notice that everything feels harder.
Blood sugar swings: Inconsistent meals, cravings, or energy crashes can affect how stable hormones feel day to day.
Life transitions: Emotional strain, physical changes, and a full schedule can all add to the feeling that hormones are no longer cooperating.
Keep reading for plant based solutions that support our bodies during these tumultuous times. Encouragement is a little further down the screen.
When hormones feel frustrating, many women do not need more intensity. They need more support.
Can essential oils support hormones?
Essential oils do not replace medical care, and they do not “cure” hormone problems. But many women enjoy using essential oils as one part of a supportive hormone routine—especially when the focus is on stress relief, calm, better rest, emotional balance, and creating a more nurturing rhythm at home.
For many women, hormones feel easier to support when daily life also becomes more supportive. That is one reason oils can be so meaningful. They invite consistency, ritual, and small moments of care.
When used thoughtfully, essential oils may become one gentle tool in a broader wellness routine centered on hormones.
Best Young Living products for hormones and daily support
If you are creating a simple hormone-support routine, here are a few Young Living favorites that many women enjoy.
1) Clary Sage for hormones, calm, and emotional support
Clary Sage is one of the most loved essential oils for women’s wellness. Many women reach for Clary Sage when they want a grounding, calming aroma that supports emotional balance and a more peaceful daily rhythm.
Clary Sage is often used in routines focused on hormones because it feels nurturing, earthy, and steady. It can be diffused in the evening, inhaled during stressful moments, or used topically when properly diluted.
For women wanting a simple starting point with hormones, Clary Sage is often one of the first oils to consider. I rubbed this on the bottoms of my feet each morning years ago when I was cycling.
Progessence Plus is a Young Living blend often included in women’s wellness routines centered on hormones. Many women like using Progessence Plus as part of a consistent self-care rhythm, especially during times when hormones feel more unpredictable.
Rather than thinking of it as a quick fix, Progessence Plus often fits best into a daily lifestyle of steady support, calm rituals, and realistic expectations.
I rub this on my forearms morning and night. It is part of my self care routine.
Daily Hormone Essential is often chosen by women who want to support hormones from a nutritional angle as well. While essential oils can be a wonderful part of a lifestyle routine, Daily Hormone Essential may help round out a more complete approach to hormones through daily nutritional support.
For women who want a simple and structured product for hormones, this can be a helpful foundational step.
EndoFlex is another favorite in conversations about hormones and endocrine wellness. Many women like to include EndoFlex in their routines when they want support that feels more comprehensive and connected to energy, daily balance, and stress support.
I like to rub this on my throat in the morning. It just feels like the right thing to do for me.
5) Lavender for hormones, stress, and sleep support
Hormones and stress often go hand in hand. Hormones and sleep often do too. Lavender can be a beautiful addition to a hormone routine because it encourages a calmer atmosphere, especially in the evening.
Many women find that when stress settles, hormones feel more manageable too.
And almost every night I rub this oil on the pads of my toes. Typically, within ten seconds, I’m sound asleep. This also gives me such soft feet, with no stinky smells.
PS Young Living has shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, lotion, hand soap and more in lavender!! I love my hair and body smelling the same!! When I shower at night, I sleep so much more soundly because of using all things… Lavender!
6) Balance & Burn for metabolic wellness and insulin signaling support
For many women, hormones are only part of the story. Metabolic wellness matters too. Balance & Burn may fit into a daily routine for women who are thinking not only about hormones, but also about cravings, energy, metabolism, and supportive habits around insulin signaling.
Balance & Burn works best as part of a bigger picture: balanced meals, movement, protein, healthy routines, and a long-term approach to hormones and wellness.
This has helped so many people not only lose weight, but their blood sugar numbers are out of the park better!
The insulin-signaling connection: why hormones and metabolism often overlap
When women think about hormones, they often think first about estrogen or progesterone. But insulin is also a hormone, and insulin signaling can be an important part of how women feel overall.
When insulin signaling feels less efficient, some women notice:
more cravings
less stable energy
stubborn belly weight
stronger afternoon crashes
a greater sense that hormones feel “off”
This is one reason hormones often need a whole-body support plan. Hormones are not just about one oil or one supplement. Hormones are also influenced by meals, movement, sleep, stress, and muscle support.
For many women, supporting hormones means supporting rhythm. That includes steadier meals, better rest, regular movement, and gentle tools like oils and wellness supplements that fit into daily life.
Quick comparison table: choosing the right hormone-support approach
Method
Best for
Pros
Watch-outs
Diffusion / inhalation
Stress, mood shifts, evening calm
Easy, fast, comforting
Keep aroma gentle, not overpowering
Topical use (diluted)
Daily rituals, lower abdomen or back support
Encourages consistency and self-care
Always dilute and patch test first
Nutritional support
Daily foundational support for hormones
Simple and structured
Follow product directions carefully
Lifestyle habits
Long-term hormone support
Supports the whole body
Requires consistency over time
Did you know? A few helpful facts about hormones
Hormones and stress are deeply connected. Sometimes the body needs more calm, not more pressure.
Hormones and sleep affect each other. When sleep improves, women often notice better resilience, steadier mood, and fewer intense swings.
Hormones and blood sugar often overlap. More stable meals may support steadier energy and fewer cravings.
Hormones respond well to consistency. Small supportive habits practiced daily often do more than occasional all-or-nothing efforts.
Step-by-step: a simple daily routine to support hormones
Step 1: Start with aroma
Diffuse Clary Sage in the morning or evening for a calming atmosphere that supports your hormone routine. You can also pair it with Lavender for a softer, more relaxing blend.
Step 2: Add a topical routine
Use Progessence Plus as part of a consistent self-care practice. Many women appreciate the steadiness of having a small daily ritual centered on hormones.
Step 3: Support hormones from within
Take Daily Hormone Essential as directed if you want a more complete inside-out wellness routine for hormones.
Step 4: Think beyond hormones alone
If cravings, energy swings, or metabolic frustration are part of your story too, Balance & Burn may be worth considering as part of a broader hormone and wellness lifestyle.
Step 5: Support the basics that help hormones most
Pair your products with the habits that often matter most:
regular meals with protein and fiber
daily movement
healthy sleep habits
hydration
stress support
realistic routines you can actually maintain
Safety reminders for hormones and essential oils
Essential oils are concentrated and should always be used thoughtfully.
Dilute oils before applying to skin unless otherwise directed.
Avoid eyes and mucous membranes.
Patch test new products first.
If you are pregnant, nursing, under medical care, or managing a hormone-sensitive condition, seek personalized guidance before starting something new.
Nutritional support products should be used according to label directions.
Lifestyle tips that make a hormone routine work better
Hormones usually respond best when the daily basics are in place. If you want the biggest return on your effort, start here:
Prioritize protein. Protein can help support steadier energy and more balanced meals.
Walk daily. Movement can be one of the simplest and most supportive tools for hormones and metabolic wellness.
Strengthen gently. Muscle support matters, especially in midlife.
Create an evening wind-down routine. Diffuser, quiet time, less screen exposure, and a consistent bedtime may all support hormones indirectly.
Track your patterns. A simple journal of sleep, energy, cravings, and mood can reveal what your hormones may be responding to.
A calmer home approach to hormones
Many women are trying to support hormones in the middle of full lives—family needs, work, stress, transitions, and changing bodies. That is why simple home routines matter.
using Balance & Burn as part of a more complete wellness plan
choosing small daily habits over extreme programs
Hormones often respond best to gentleness, consistency, and support.
Ready to support your hormones in a simpler way?
If you are ready for a gentler way to support hormones, start with a few simple tools and a lifestyle that feels calm enough to keep going. You do not need to do everything at once. You just need a next step that feels sustainable.
Download my free Gentle Hormone Guide
If you would like a simple next step, download my free Gentle Hormone Guide for supportive ideas, favorite products, and easy ways to begin creating a calmer routine for hormones.
FAQ: hormones, essential oils, and daily support
What essential oil is best for hormones?
Many women love Clary Sage as one of the most popular oils used in routines centered on hormones.
What is Progessence Plus used for?
Progessence Plus is often included in daily women’s wellness routines focused on hormones and supportive self-care habits.
How can I support hormones naturally?
Many women choose a combination of essential oils, nutritional support, better sleep, stress support, regular movement, and balanced meals to support hormones more naturally.
Why does insulin signaling matter for hormones?
Insulin is also a hormone, and many women find that energy, cravings, weight changes, and overall hormone wellness feel connected to metabolic health.
What is a simple daily routine for hormones?
A simple routine for hormones might include Clary Sage in a diffuser, Progessence Plus topically, Daily Hormone Essential daily, supportive meals, and a calmer bedtime rhythm.
Glossary
Hormones: Chemical messengers in the body that influence mood, sleep, metabolism, energy, and more.
Insulin signaling: The way the body uses insulin to help manage energy and blood sugar.
Endocrine system: The network of glands and hormones that influence many body functions.
Diffusion: Using a diffuser to disperse essential oils into the air.
Topical use: Applying diluted essential oils to the skin.
Consistency: Repeating simple supportive habits over time.
Hormones Conclusion
If you enjoyed this article, check out my other Hormone Post, HERE.
If you have any questions, or concerns, please reach out. It is my pleasure to help others on their Hormone Balancing Journey.
Hormones may wake us up in sweat, cause us to feel permanently fatigued, make our emotions go from zero to 70 faster than a Porsche, give us the shakes, bring skin breakouts, cause hair to grow in unwanted places, and make our body parts shift to the ground in warp speed – not to mention intense food cravings, mystery weight gain… oh the joy of getting older as a woman.
Aunt Flow starts to come sporadically. Sometimes, she doesn’t come for months. Then she storms in with gushing force.
One day we are fine, the next day we are always exhausted by 3:00pm, snapping at our kids, and wondering how are jeans shrunk over night (ha!). Many assume it’s stress or just getting older.
Does any of this sound familiar? So many of us are observers, quietly letting it happen.
This was me. From 35-47, I just let it whip me. The frenzy of strange things happening kept me staring like a frog in a hail storm. But then… I started reading. My eyes were opened.
These resources soon helped me to know, I was not alone. WE are together in changing and there are answers. There is great news, we don’t have to overhaul our lives to see progress.
• Chronic stress • Blood sugar spikes • Poor sleep • Gut health issues • Environmental toxins
Our goal isn’t strict perfection, but gentle support.
7 Gentle Ways to Support Hormones
1. Stabilize Blood Sugar
Protein + fiber every meal.
2. Support the Liver
Your liver processes hormones.
3. Prioritize Sleep
Hormones repair during sleep.
4. Reduce Inflammation
Food choices matter.
5. Calm the Nervous System
Stress drives cortisol.
6. Support Gut Health
Gut bacteria regulate estrogen metabolism.
7. Use Plant-Based Support Wisely
There are so many products that I have added to my daily routine, that have made me feel sharp, energetic, and thriving even after having a full hysterectomy.
Hormones May Need Support if:
You may notice:
• weight gain around the middle • mood swings • fatigue • brain fog • poor sleep • sugar cravings • irregular cycles
These are common… but they are also signals from your body.
• the hormones that change after 35 • foods that support hormone balance • simple daily habits that stabilize energy • plant-based support options many women use
Your body isn’t broken. It’s simply asking for support.
With the right habits and the right tools, many women find their energy, mood, and clarity return, sometimes better than ever! In America women dread these changes. I learned in other societies, women celebrate. So different from what we know.
Give yourself support today and always. What have you found helpful in supporting your hormones. Please comment below. I’d love to hear from you.
I put this list in my Meta Stories. But I thought they might help you, Friend, as well.
These Micro Minutes of Self Care, can’t hurt our hormones for certain. As they reduce our stress, we may find our hormones improve as well.
Manage Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
