Perimenopause and Mental Health: Steady the Ground, Then Do the Inner Work

If you’ve been lying awake at 3 a.m. with a racing mind, snapping at the people you love more than you'd like, wondering where your focus went, or feeling like your energy's fine one day, then crashes the next, then this episode is for you. The mood and brain changes of this stage are real biology, and they often arrive years before the first hot flash. I want to offer you a two-part approach: steady the ground with individualized medical care and lifestyle foundations, then do the inner work this season of life is asking of you.

Hormones and intentional habits can give you a better foundation. The inner work helps you to step into true, vibrant emotional health.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The most common symptoms of early, mid, and late perimenopause, and why mood and sleep often change first
• What progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone each do for your mental health and your body
• How to steady the ground with hormone therapy and lifestyle investments 
• Why identity and emotional wellbeing are the work that comes next

For support with the inner work of midlife, grab the free Vibrant Mom Toolkit and explore mentoring programs at caramaiolo.com.

Books Cara Recommends for Perimenopause Learning and Support

• The New Perimenopause — Dr. Mary Claire Haver

• The Perimenopause Survival Guide — Dr. Heather Hirsch

• Estrogen Matters — Dr. Avrum Bluming and Dr. Carol Tavris

• The Menopause Brain — Dr. Lisa Mosconi