Welcome back to lifestyle changes and midlife.
Midlife part 3 (a) Resistance training
Midlife part 3 (b) Nutrition
Midlife part 3 (c) Supplements & Herbs
Midlife part 3 (d) Stress reduction & Rest
This is another long one, so best to read via thesoberglow.substack.com
“I hate that SATC 2 vandalized a great opportunity to elevate Samantha’s hormonal issues by rendering her the “used up hag” who desperately wants to hold on to her sexual prowess, instead of accepting her defeat by the claws of “a rite of passage,” that many of us know about, but don’t really know about, until we’re “a woman of a certain age.” - Ezinne Ukoha
I truly appreciated Ezinne Ukoha’s take on this missed opportunity. Read the whole article below:
Why Samantha’s Hormonal Hell in “Sex and the City 2” Is The Awful Film’s Most Relatable Moment.
I am a hardcore fan of herbs and supplements, almost to my detriment. Historically up until my late 30s, right around the time I removed alcohol from my life, I had been more keen on taking a supplement than making sure I was eating a nutritious diet. It was all about covering up, balancing out, and that detox to retox lifestyle. None of which actually helped me or my wallet in the long run. The way I was pursuing health through decades of long nights out, not sleeping, constantly pushing through but throwing a supplement down my throat, was simply the wrong way to go about things. Maybe you have found yourself doing this as well. However, when I hit a wall with my hormones, I knew I had to make some necessary changes. But again, in my desperation, I put the horse before the cart. As soon as I learned of some of the benefits of these supplements, I started trying them, praying they would work miracles. The thing was, I hadn’t yet addressed my sleep, diet, and stress. So again I found myself adding in supplements without taking responsibility for the whole picture. Old habits die hard. Thankfully, I’ve finally got my act together and have been making all the lifestyle changes that are necessary for me now.
Not all supplements are going to work for all women. We may absolutely love something and find zero benefits in another. My suggestion is always to go with what calls to you and what feels right. This is an intuitive exercise. Then, try the herb/supplement on its own. All those herbs/tinctures/supplements you see in my cupboards or that I share, I have individually tested on myself. The last thing you want to do is start five new products at once because you may never know which ones are actually working and which are not. So again, one at a time is the best way to go about this process. I have personally tried and used a lot of what I list in this email, but not everything. Today is not the day that I share my anecdotal experience. What I am sharing though is what the science suggests. The last thing I want to do is push something on someone just because it worked so well for me. I see this a lot in my girlfriend groups and online. It’s human nature this need to share (hello, this substack is built on my incessant need to share, resource, & guide). But it doesn’t always mean it’s the right thing for another person.
The good news, there is science! Nothing I share here is willy-nilly. Each of the herbs/supplements have evidence-based research behind them. I will share my sources (always) and who and where I turn to when wanting to learn more. I will also share places where you can purchase quality products, from tinctures, powders, pills, mushrooms, potions, and beyond. If and when you decide to try the herbs/supplements listed here, it is your responsibility to make sure there are no contraindications in any way for your body. Nothing offered here should be confused as medical advice.
Below is your starting off point. I have by no means listed all of the herbs and/or all of their many benefits and properties, but I have made every attempt at narrowing down and simplifying each herb and supplement with information in regard to the midlife/perimenopausal woman.
And as always, you are welcome to share what works for you, what doesn’t, what you like, and where to find it.
Happy herbing,
Mia