My whole life, I’ve felt like I’ve been fighting a hopeless battle against my hormones.  Whether it’s acne and cravings or anxiety and insomnia, I always feel like my body is turning against me in some way or another.  I've noticed that's often the culture and mentality when you’re a woman—when something feels out of balance, the obvious culprit is usually your hormones.

Then I found Alisa Vitti’s book WomanCode.  (The full title is WomanCode: Perfect Your Cycle, Amplify Your Fertility, Supercharge Your Sex Drive, and Become a Power Source.)  While this book didn't magically fix all of the obstacles I face with my body, it got me started on improving my life and taking informed steps towards living healthily and intentionally.

Purchase your copy of WomanCode here!

I want to mention that I’m a young woman in college and a lot of my hormone-based problems are minimal.  Vitti believes WomanCode will prevent and treat many hormonal conditions (PCOS, fibroids, and low libido to name a few), but makes it very clear from the beginning that while her book is targeting the major hormonal health issues for women in their late 20s, 30s, and 40s, the lessons can be applicable and useful for all ages. 

Reading WomanCode is an investment in your body as much as any all-natural smoothie or exfoliating face mask (and it’s probably around the same price, too).  This book helped me relax, think, and heal—and if you’re wondering how, let me give you the low down on the five lessons I took away from WomanCode:

Tip #1: Listen to your body.

The same week I started reading this book I became much more receptive and sensitive to the messages my body was sending me—even when I didn’t know exactly how to relieve my symptoms.  I started following tip #1 in its most basic form to understand what my body was trying to communicate to me. 

Tip #2: Learn your biology.

Vitti equips women with information about their bodies by breaking down your bodily systems and how your everyday choices can create a ripple effect throughout your entire body.  Things as simple as your daily afternoon crash or the time you poop are all major signals to lead you towards making the right decisions for your body.  (And don’t even get my friends and family started on this tip as I’ve been pounding them with 'did-you-knows' on the female body since I started reading this book.)

Tip #3: Take advantage of your resources.

Vitti’s goal, as I see it, is to get you to try it—not get you to believe it or buy into it—just try it.  Her goal is to make you feel better, not make money out of tricking you into a lifestyle that’s harder to deal with.

There are plenty of additional resources to supplement your reading from Vitti’s website, FLO Living, from nutritional information to a community of people as driven and focused on living healthy as you are. 

WomanCode helped me understand my body with such clarity that it seems silly how complicated I’d been making my hormones out to be.

Tip #4: Consistency is key.

I found myself wishing I had bought a physical copy instead of the e-book so I could put bookmarks and carry it around with me to refer to throughout my day.  I don’t follow all the specific dietary and exercise regimes (though it is extremely helpful that I have the option to start at any time), but the information and advice offered is not only useful but also very, very educational.

Tip #5: Do it on your own terms.

You can follow the WomanCode as strictly or as loosely as you want.  The language is 'I want to help you, no matter how much you choose to listen to my advice.'  Not 'Take this advice to the tee or sorry, you’re out of luck.'  Following the WomanCode in its entirety can feel overwhelming, but even one or two small lifestyle tweaks will help you start feeling better.  It's not a go-big-or-go-home game.  There are rewards and improvements at every stage of the process with any intensity of commitment.

WomanCode is a beginner’s crash course to the female body with a slow pace at the beginning that is intentional and foundational for your comprehension.  (She hits you with the facts eventually and they are fast and many.)  Vitti also prescribes nutritional and dietary supplements based on how dedicated you might be to altering your lifestyle and living by the protocol.

WomanCode helped me understand my body with such clarity that it almost seems silly how frustrating and complicated I’d been making my hormones out to be my whole life.  If you’re wondering why you always get sleepy after eating, or why your overall energy fluctuates so much from week to week, this book will answer those questions and even solve a few problems you didn’t know had to do with your hormones so that you can be smart with your health.

Caroline Liu is a freshman and Quest Scholar at Wesleyan University.  In addition to writing for bSmart Guide, she is a National Contributor for Spoon University and Director of Social Media for The Prospect.  Find her on Twitter @caroqliu.