Nourishment through transition

This year I turned 40, and as I’m sure many of you can relate to, there’s been a lot of reflection. Aging doesn’t worry me; I’m here for the gray hairs, the wrinkles. My priority is supporting the maintenance of my health in all the ways I can.

As we age, our bodies change and things begin to shift. Personally, I know my body is also approaching perimenopause and menopause. It’s a time when our bodies, as females, are phasing into the next season. It’s comforting to know that I’m not alone in the process (none of us are). It is the design of the female body.

Estrogen and progesterone participate in various functions of the body, including hunger, thirst and sleep (to name a few). During peri/menopause, production of these hormones (and others) fluctuates. Metabolically speaking, these hormone changes impact a number of body processes. They can effect things like fat storage, sugar metabolism, bone health, energy levels, sleep quality, mood, etc. Symptoms like night sweats or brain fog are related to these metabolic changes, so our ability to manage things like quality nutrition and sleep will play a part in how we navigate symptoms.

When we’re going through a change, nourishing ourselves through it can be a challenge. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle of daily to-dos and reacting to the demands of the moment, showing up for everyone and everything else, without taking a moment to pause - breath - rest. Even more of a reason to be checked in.

Perimenopause and menopause are times of transition. Transitions are a moment to take stock, tend to what needs tending, integrate what we need and leave the rest. Change can be hard, and even if it’s a change we know is coming, it doesn’t guarantee it’s an easy one. As I see it, the key is to control the controllables. Start with now; what do I need, and what can I do to fill that need? What do I want, and how do I get it? Stay present and connected through the transition to step fully into the next season.

Nourish with…

grace and self compassion <3

balanced, nutrient packed meals & plenty of hydration

your favorite form of movement and strength building (maybe try something new with a friend this week!)

stress and sleep management (routines, creative outlets, dedicated time to see friends and family/be in community, dedicated time with you)

Remember balance

Balance above all else. Mental health is a part of our overall health, and nothing we do to improve our habits should add stress or make us feel unnecessary pressure (that said… it doesn’t mean it’s easy). The idea is that we build routines and rituals that bolster us so we can keep going, so we can endure.

Balance. Move your body throughout the day, and get a good night’s sleep. Eat what you enjoy, enjoy what you eat. Prioritize what your body needs most, then commit to those daily actions. The beauty is, it’s in those daily actions that we build resilience for longevity of health.  Over time, we begin to hit our goals because we are consistently prioritizing what we need.

Transitions can be an excuse to put yourself back at the top of the priority list. The phase of perimenopause/menopause can be a moment to rediscover self, to (re)define feminine.

Remember how strong you are. What are three things you appreciate most about yourself? Write them down and put them somewhere you can see them everyday <3

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