How to master midlife health… and how not to
At some point, and that age is different for all of us, things start to shift. Our bodies, our minds, can begin doing things we never expected. For me, I thought menopause meant a few hot flashes and my period would just stop. How wrong could I have been!
There’s a lot of talk about menopause now, which is great but it can also be rather overwhelming. With all the good info comes plenty of bad: scaremongering, quick fixes, and products promising the world to women at a low point. It makes my blood boil.
HRT is a game-changer for many women. It can help with symptoms as well as support long-term health. But it’s not magic. And without the boring basics nailed - sleep, nutrition, movement, stress management, connection etc - it can only go so far.
The tricky part? The basics can be really hard to master.
We’re told to:
🌾 Eat wholefoods with plenty of fibre and protein
🏋️♀️ Lift heavy weights
🛌 Get 7 - 8 hours of sleep
🙅♀️ Cut sugar and alcohol
🧘 Reduce stress and remove toxic people
🥰 Find purpose and joy
Sounds great. Until you actually try to do it all.
Personally? Upping my fibre ended in a disaster. It turned out I needed help from a naturopath to heal my gut first. Lifting heavy? Not for me at the moment. I have a herniated disc in my back. I’m currently working with an exercise physiologist on my strength and movement patterns before I can do this. Sleep? Night sweats and anxiety can make that impossible for many. And don’t get me started on reducing stress, or how hard it is to remove toxic people from your life (especially if they might be family members or once-close friends!).
My point is, these "rules" are good in theory BUT they’re not always simple to put into practice in real life.
If you can, getting professional help is a great option. For me, it has made a big difference. But I know that’s not possible for everyone. If that’s not accessible, there is a lot of free and credible help out there. But just be mindful. Avoid following/taking advice from people who are dogmatic about what you should or shouldn’t do. What works for one woman won’t always work for you. We all have different bodies, minds, genetics, and circumstances. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to midlife wellness.
So here’s what I want you to remember when you’re trying to master (or just figure out) the boring basics:
✨ Everyone is different. What works for one woman may not work for you.
✨ Start small. Pick one thing and do it consistently. Then reassess.
✨ You know your body better than anyone. Tune in.
✨ Adjust as you go. Give yourself permission to do it your way.
✨ And most of all, if you find something that feels right don’t give up. Keep going. Even when it feels hard.
I truly believe we can feel great in this phase of life, but it takes work. Annoying I know, but totally worth it!