We’ve all heard about menopause, but when it’s your body going through it, it can feel like a completely different journey. No matter what your mom, sister, or friends have experienced, your story will be uniquely yours—shaped by your lifestyle, diet, stress, and even those life experiences we sometimes push aside. It’s like entering a new chapter of life that we see coming but can never fully predict. The good news? You don’t have to navigate it alone. There are so many ways to make this time feel more manageable and empowering.
Before menopause itself, there’s perimenopause—the prelude, if you will. It can feel like you’ve been invited to a surprise party you didn’t RSVP for. One day you’re fine, and the next, you’re hit with random hot flashes, irregular periods, or sleepless nights. It’s as if your body is giving you subtle nudges, saying, “Hey, things are changing!” It can start slowly, and before you know it, you’re in full transition mode.
But here’s something we don’t always talk about—the role your adrenal glands play in this transition. As your ovaries start winding down, your adrenal glands take over hormone production. They’re already busy managing stress, and now they have an extra load. If they’re overworked, you’ll feel it more intensely during menopause. That’s why it’s so important to support your adrenal glands and overall wellness as you move through this phase.
Perimenopause: The First Signs of Change
Perimenopause doesn’t make a grand entrance—it’s more of a quiet whisper. You might miss the signs at first, but they’re there. It might start with a skipped period, a sudden hot flash, or those nights where sleep feels like a distant memory. It could be weight that suddenly becomes stubborn, no matter what you do.
But here’s something I found fascinating—menopause is actually a one-day event! It’s the day you go 12 months without a period. Crazy, right? After all the buildup, it’s a one-day marker! After that, it’s post-menopause, where some symptoms may linger, but for many women, it can be a fresh start—an opportunity for self-discovery, and for some, relief from the monthly cycle.
What’s interesting is that in some cultures, menopause symptoms are almost non-existent. This reminds us that our lifestyle, diet, and environment have a huge impact on how we experience this transition. It gives us the power to influence our journey.
Common Symptoms of Perimenopause & Menopause
Do any of these sound familiar?
- Anxiety
- Heart palpitations
- Hot flashes
- Brain fog
- Sleep disturbances
- Mood swings
- Fatigue
- Weight gain that won’t budge
- Low libido
If they do, know that you’re not alone. These symptoms are often intensified by stress—something we all have to deal with. And when stress takes its toll on our adrenal glands, it makes this transition even tougher.
How Stress Worsens Menopausal Symptoms
Stress acts like fuel on the fire of menopausal symptoms. If your adrenal glands are burned out from years of managing stress, they struggle to produce the hormones your body needs as you enter menopause. This can leave you feeling more tired, anxious, and overwhelmed than ever.
If you’re noticing poor sleep, blood sugar imbalances, fatigue, mood swings, or brain fog, these might be signs that your adrenal glands need some love.
A Holistic Approach to Menopausal Support
Here are some simple but effective ways to support your body and mind through this transition:
- Identify your stressors: Awareness is the first step. Reducing stress where you can will give your adrenals a much-needed break.
- Herbal remedies: Black cohosh, sage, and Siberian rhubarb can help balance hormones.
- Essential fatty acids: They’re crucial for hormone health.
- Flower essences: Gentle support for emotional balance – check out Enlightened Feelings.
- Mind-body practices: Yoga, journaling, and meditation help reduce stress and bring you back to center.
- Moderate exercise: Focus on building strength without over-exercising.
- Nutritional support: Whole, nutrient-dense foods can make a huge difference.
- Detox your environment: Minimize toxins in your food, beauty products, and home. (Check out the app Yuka to scan for toxic ingredients.)
- Get outside: Nature is a powerful healer—spend time outdoors, especially in the morning to reset your circadian rhythm.
It may seem like a lot, but don’t worry—you don’t have to do it all at once. Start small. Pick one habit, implement it, and then move on to the next when you’re ready.
Resources to Support You
I’ve created several tools to help you navigate this journey:
- Sleep Guide – Quality sleep is the first thing to go when stress and hormonal changes kick in. My Sleep Guide is packed with tips and tricks to help you make sleep a priority, so you can feel truly rested and ready for the day. You deserve better sleep, and this free guide can help you get there.
- Art of Balance Stress Guide – Stress is a major culprit that makes menopausal symptoms feel ten times worse. My Art of Balance Guide is here to help you find ways to manage stress that actually fit into your life. You don’t need to overhaul everything—just a few small changes can bring a lot more peace to your day.
- Master Your Metabolism (MYM) Program – Struggling with stubborn weight, hormonal ups and downs, or feeling like your body’s just out of sync? The Master Your Metabolism (MYM) Program could be exactly what you need. This isn’t just another diet—it’s a fully customized approach that combines balanced nutrition, inflammation reduction, and hormone support to help you shed weight, boost your energy, and bring your body back into balance. With a life coach and nutritionist guiding you, it’s a personalized roadmap to feeling better in every way.
- Holistic Life Coaching – Sometimes, navigating menopause and all its changes calls for more than just physical support—it’s about caring for your mind and soul, too. That’s where holistic life coaching comes in. This approach looks at the bigger picture, helping you manage stress, find clarity, and build resilience as you go through this transition. It’s all about creating a balanced, fulfilling lifestyle that feels good to you, so you can embrace this phase with confidence and grace.
Next Steps for Your Wellness Journey
Menopause can feel daunting, but it’s not the end of feeling good in your body. Small steps lead to big changes over time, and I’m here to support you in every way. You don’t have to figure it out alone—let’s walk this path together.
