The teenage years can be a fun but tricky time. As a teenage girl, you get to experience many new things, like a little more freedom, more responsibility at school and home, and, of course, you get to experience surging hormones.

It's pretty common to have the hormonal piece of teenage life come with a few twists and turns. You may be experiencing a super fun combination of mood swings, food cravings, fatigue, crankiness, bloating, acne, and sadness. But why? You can blame it on hormones. Hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are rushing through your body for the first time, and sometimes they can take you for a ride, especially if they are imbalanced. That's why having a breakout here and some big emotions there are considered pretty standard for a teenage girl.

But, the teenage years don't have to be a crazy hormone roller coaster ride for you. All of those unwanted symptoms are considered common but not at all normal. They don't need to be a part of your life at all. Not now, not ever. Isn't that great news?

We want you to feel and look amazing and enjoy these fun years of being a teenager, AND we want to help set you up for your future too. All we girls want are symptom-free periods, clear and smooth skin, and to feel like we've got a better handle on our moods, right? 

As you'll learn in this guide, it really comes down to keeping your hormones better balanced by doing the things we are about to talk about.

We are going to talk about the three biggest complaints we hear from girls your age, and give you some helpful tips to say goodbye to these unwanted symptoms.

Moods:

"My moods are all over the place! Everyone is telling me that I'm hard to be around because I'm so moody. Why do I feel fine one second and then have a melt down the next? I hate it!" - Emma L.

Emotions are a good thing. But, like Emma, do you ever find yourself getting really irritable for almost no reason? Or suddenly feeling really down without knowing why? Going from sadness to anger to joy in a matter of minutes can make you feel as though you're losing your grip. This can really cause you to experience confidence issues for the first time in your life.

These type of unexplained emotions can flair up especially around the time of your period. These emotions can rise up more intensely during this time because of a condition called PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome). PMS is caused by imbalanced hormonal changes that can happen each month around the time of your period and can bring about anxiety, irritability, sleeplessness, and sadness.

Luckily there are few things you can do to boost your mood. First, stop stressing. Stress can make your symptoms worse than they need to be. Next, get some rest. Being overtired is going to also make you feel terrible, and extra zzz's will help you relax. Add in a little extra snuggle time with your dog, cat, (or your mom, she'd love it!) can also work wonders too. And while you're at it try to eat some nutritious foods and keep yourself moving. It's especially helpful if you can be active outside in the fresh air and sunlight. The better you treat your body, the happier you'll feel.

Acne:

"Having acne makes me feel really embarrassed and self-conscious when I'm around people. I don't want to raise my hand in class, or go to any parties, or get a job after school because I don't want people to see me." - Abbie D.

Acne is so common that it is also considered a normal part of being a teen. But knowing that doesn't always make it easier when you're looking at a big pimple on your face in the mirror. It can become super stressful when acne starts to take over your face, thoughts, and mindset. And most frustrating of all? Common topical remedies and prescription drugs often make things much worse.

The trick to know is that healing acne and other skin issues really is an "inside-out job". The truth is, what we can see on our skin is like a mirror of what things are looking like on the inside of our body, mostly what might be happening in our gut. 

There are ways you can get rid of pimples from the inside-out. Some of them may seems like no-brainers, but as a busy teenager you may forget to do some of these things consistently. 

First, you need to stay hydrated. Drink more fluids and eat lots of hydrating foods.Think fresh watermelon, cucumber, berries, citrus, and light, leafy greens like romaine lettuce. These fruits and veggies will give your body a solid dose of hydration, while also delivering the powerful antioxidants that support your body's natural defense and healing system, which can help heal your acne and prevent it in the future.

Consider your dairy intake. We all love ice cream and cheese but dairy can be very inflammatory for our gut. When our gut isn't happy it lets us know on our face!Although all bodies are different, most of us do better when our dairy intake is in check. 

Create a clean routine. Keeping your gorgeous face squeaky clean is important, but also remember to stay on top of hand washing, as well as regular cleaning of your phone and headphones. Reducing the amount of bacteria that comes into contact with your precious pores can be an important step in getting rid of pimples on your jawline, forehead, and chin.

Increase your nutrient intake through supplements. If you're looking for a big boost to your anti-acne routine, consider taking a specially designed nutritional supplement to help your skin's natural healing. This is a safe way to easily deliver natural active ingredients that help support your body's natural healing processes. It's an inside-out approach.

Sleep and Stress:

"I'm always such a zombie! My teachers keep getting mad at me because I fall asleep in class all the time." - Nikki H.

Many teenagers feel like they are always tired. 

They feel like it's really hard to get out of bed for school in the morning and often have an overwhelming need for a nap as soon as they get home from school. Does this sound like you as well?

Did you know that sleep helps to fuel your brain and your body? As a teen, you need more sleep because your body and mind are growing quickly. Science shows that many teens don't get enough sleep. To be at your best, you need between 8 and 10 hours of high-quality sleep every night. While you might not always be able to get this much, it's essential to try and get as much as you can.

Maybe getting enough sleep doesn't seem like a big deal when you think about all the other things you need to do (homework, socializing, sports, chores, part-time jobs, etc.), so getting to bed early enough to get 8 to 10 hours of sleep can seem pretty hard. But, as a teen, if you don't get enough sleep and are overtired, then you are more likely to feel extra stressed, struggle in school, have trouble with your memory and your focus, and you are more likely to feel depressed and anxious.

It's obvious that busy schedules can get in the way, and same with those late nights out having fun, but did you know that there are other reasons you're not getting the quality of sleep you need, even if you are getting in the hours? One of the biggest causes is the light you're exposed to.

Let's talk about the light you are possibly getting too much exposure to, we are talking about blue light. Blue light comes from your phones, computers, and TV screens. Scientists have found that teens are extra sensitive to the effects of blue light because their eyes let more light in. Too much blue light can be a big problem when it comes to getting good sleep because light controls our natural wake and sleep cycles every day. The natural sunlight helps us wake up and stay alert during the day, and then when the sun goes down, it signals to our body that it is time to wind down and become sleepy. But, blue light, especially if you're exposed to it during the evening hours, mimics the noon-day sun. So even if it is naturally time to feel sleepy, your body doesn't get the signal that it is time for bed and so it doesn't start releasing our sleep hormone melatonin. Many teenagers are melatonin deficient, which makes it hard to fall asleep and to get the deep restorative sleep you need each night. Have you ever tried to fall asleep and then just lay there feeling "wired, but tired"? That's the feeling you get when your body doesn't have enough melatonin available. That's why it's important to get outside into the sunshine, especially first thing in the morning. And it's important to limit your exposure to blue light once the sun goes down. If you can get into these two habits, you'll sleep well.

Mixhers has been helping all women feel their best by supporting their hormone health and balance, now it's your turn! Mixhers is excited to introduce you to your own Herteen product line formulated and designed specifically for you!