It’s easy to fall into survival mode when entering menopause. The hot flashes, the mood swings, the sleepless nights; the symptoms can take a toll on your mind and body. You want to feel better. Quick.
You may find yourself reaching for what brings comfort: a glass of wine, a sugary snack, or zoning out in front of the TV. You tell yourself, “I’ve earned this.” And you have. But what if those same habits that help you get through the moment are actually making it harder to feel balanced and energized long-term?
As estrogen and progesterone decline, your body becomes more sensitive to stress. The things that once kept you regulated and grounded, like good sleep, stable energy and emotional steadiness, suddenly feel out of reach. Suddenly, you are waking up tired, feeling irritable by afternoon, and tossing and turning at night.
The smallest things can send your system into overdrive.
What’s worse, short-term coping mechanisms such as caffeine, sugar and alcohol, that once gave you relief now throw your hormones and nervous system out of balance.
A patient came in and told me: now that she was in active menopause, she’d wake up exhausted, push herself through the day, then collapse on the couch at night with a drink, hoping to unwind. It wasn’t that she lacked discipline. Her body was being run by stress hormones.
Together, we made gradual changes to her routine. These included: replacing her alcoholic drink with an herbal tea blend, adding acupuncture sessions to help her body relax, and incorporating gentle strength training throughout the day. In a short period of time, her energy started to stabilize. She began to sleep more soundly and felt like she had greater control over her mood again.
Menopause isn’t a problem to fix; it’s a transition that calls for new strategies. You don’t need to power through; you need to partner with your body. That starts with awareness: noticing what you reach for when you’re overwhelmed and asking whether it nourishes or drains you.
A few ways to reset and restore balance include:
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- Acupuncture to regulate your stress response and improve sleep.
- Qi- and adrenal-supporting herbs to help your body adapt to hormonal changes.
- Protein-rich meals to stabilize energy and curb cravings.
- Mindful movement, like walking or yoga, can help calm your nervous system.
- Get Strong and Balanced, a holistic menopause program we offer through CNMA for women offering nutrition guidance, supplement recommendations, self-care and lifestyle strategies + a 12-week strength-building program – a targeted approach to support hormonal stabilization, sustained energy and body resilience naturally.
Menopause can be a powerful time to simplify, realign, and reclaim your well-being – not by working harder, but by working smarter.
If you want to move beyond exhaustion and find a new rhythm in menopause, Dr. Adam Graves, ND, LAc, can help. At Colorado Natural Medicine & Acupuncture, we take a holistic approach to hormonal health, combining acupuncture, nutrition, and functional care to restore balance naturally.
Are you new to our functional medicine practice in Castle Rock, CO? Schedule a free 15-minute consultation online or call (303) 688-6698 to get started, and rediscover your energy, clarity and confidence in this next chapter of life.
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