Hello Beautiful!

We've finally crossed the finish line, and February is behind us! That month truly tested my spirit, but welcome March—am I ever glad to see you!

I must confess: I'm not proud of my February funk, but Instagram can seem like a highlight reel, and I'm simply human with the full range of emotions. I know you are too, so let's embrace all of them together.

How are you feeling now that the days have brightened and the air doesn't quite assault our faces so harshly? I, for one, feel like a brand new person. The spring is definitely back in my step, which I can attribute to a couple of key factors beyond just that spring is in the air: stress management and sleep hygiene.

If you're in midlife, you've likely experienced the rollercoaster that begins when your hormones go haywire. In case you missed it, my menopause journey began at 38 with rage, hot flashes, and weight gain that seemed to come from nowhere. Being relatively young, I was blindsided. Thankfully, there's so much more information available now about perimenopause and hormones, but it's my deep desire to share what I've learned from 9 years navigating this transition.

We all know we're supposed to prioritize sleep and manage stress during menopause, but HOW? How do we balance this when we already have life's responsibilities on our plates? It can feel impossibly overwhelming. I’ve been teaching yoga for 10 years and here are my practical strategies for managing stress:

1. Increased self-awareness: Regular mindfulness practice helps detach from the impulse to react to every emotion that surfaces.

2. Physical activity: A proven mood booster and stress reducer that clears the mind and softens intense emotional responses.

3. Open communication: Discussing your feelings with a therapist, support group, or trusted friend.

4. Boundary setting: Recognizing when to say no to things that don't serve your wellbeing.

5. Nutrition: Focusing on whole foods that reduce inflammation rather than trigger it.

Slow, deep breathing can refocus your mind and diminish overwhelming feelings—so simple, yet remarkably effective. Mindfulness—paying attention to your senses (what you see, hear, feel, smell, and taste)—grounds you in your surroundings and shifts focus away from emotional triggers. This simple exercise brings you into the present moment and out of the thought spirals that can take control.

EASY (and almost free!) WAYS you can regulate your nervous system:

Magnesium - I’ve become something of a magnesium influencer among my friends! If you want to sleep well, and decompress like a boss, you need magnesium glycinate for the best results, along with potassium, zinc, and calcium. You’ll be sleeping like a baby.

Legs up a wall — Lying on your bed with your legs up the wall is the perfect, free, effortless way to signal the end of the day. It calms me down after running around, and I can usually multitask—combining it with a meditation, my red-light mask, or reading my book while my circulation system circulates.

Reading Fiction - Nothing regulates my nervous system like getting lost in a good book. The escapism, the way it pulls you into another world and into someone else’s problems. For me, it’s one of the simplest and most underrated forms of self-care. Bonus points if it’s full blown escapism à la Fourth Wing, a cozy whodunnit mystery or a beach read!

A bath - I was listening to psychiatrist and neuroscientist Dr. Tara Swart on the Rise with Roxie podcast, and she mentioned the science behind baths—they lower cortisol and have the same oxytocin-boosting effect as a hug from a loved one! Add in some Epsom Salts for a one-two punch!

Getting a grasp on the runaway train that is your stress can feel so very illusive if you aren’t getting enough rest. Sleep and stress management together are the foundations which we can then build in nutrition and exercise and start feeling amazing in midlife again.

Here's the thing.

Doing this alone can be hard but it doesn't have to be. You don't have to pay a fortune for a health coach. You need support and encouragement and that's what I'm here to do. I can be your midlife, hormone, BFF! I too, am continuing to work on my health and well-being every day and I want to pass on what I learn to you.

You will find most of what I have learned so far on my blog www.christieslovestory.com/blog. By making small adjustments, you can take control of your hormonal health and improve your overall quality of life.

As you move into the week, may you be reminded of your beauty and your worth,

xoChristie

P.S. If you're struggling with your stress levels and would like support, let's connect and discuss how I can help you feel like your most vibrant self again.

P.P.S. I teach yoga 3x/week in Toronto, but if you are not able to come join our classes, you can find me on YouTube. In person classes are where we make the most magic, but a little bit of yoga, squeezed in whenever you have the time will drastically support your stress management efforts. If you would like more yoga in your life, you can join my online library of yoga classes.