Rest in Menopause

Simple rest strategies to ease stress this Christmas.

The holiday season is supposed to feel magical… yet for many women in menopause, it can feel more like a marathon wrapped in glitter.

If you’re noticing more fatigue, more stiffness, more emotional overwhelm, or more “I just can’t do everything this year,” I want you to know something important:

There’s nothing wrong with you.Your body is changing — and it’s asking for rest.

Why Rest Feels Different in Menopause

During menopause, shifts in estrogen and progesterone affect:

• how your nervous system handles stress

• how deeply you sleep

• how your muscles and joints recover

• how your brain regulates mood and focus

Research shows that lower estrogen makes the body more sensitive to stress, meaning the same holiday load you used to handle easily may now feel heavier.Not because you’re weaker — but because your body’s operating system is being rewritten.

Rest becomes not optional…but essential.

 Christmas + Menopause: The Perfect Storm

Let’s be honest: women often carry the emotional and practical weight of Christmas.

Planning. Organising. Hosting. Holding space for everyone else.

Add menopause symptoms — fatigue, stiffness, anxiety swings, sleep struggles — and December can tip you into burnout quickly.

This year, instead of pushing through, what if you invited more softness?More quiet?More moments just for you?

Here are simple ways to support your body right now — without adding anything heavy to your schedule.

Gentle Christmas Rest Rituals (Designed for Women in Menopause)

1. The 3-Breath Reset (your instant calm button)

Three slow, belly breaths help regulate cortisol.Do it in the car, the bathroom, or before bed.Your nervous system will feel the shift.

2. Legs-Up-the-Couch

Just two minutes with your legs elevated reduces swelling, supports circulation, and quiets a busy mind.No yoga mat required.

3. Shoulder + Chest Unwind

Menopause stiffness loves the upper body.A slow shoulder roll or a gentle chest-opening stretch relieves tension and supports easier breathing.

4. The “Not This Year” Boundary

Your energy is precious.Give yourself permission to simplify traditions or let certain things go entirely.Protecting your wellbeing is not selfish — it’s wise.

5. One Mini Moment of Stillness

Ask yourself:“What do I need right now?”A sip of water.A stretch.A walk outside for two minutes.Responding to small needs builds big resilience.

A Gentle Reminder

You don’t need to be everything for everyone this Christmas.You don’t need to earn rest.You don’t need to power through menopause symptoms alone.

Your body is asking for care, not perfection.

Rest is one of the most powerful tools we have during this transition.It softens stiffness, steadies the mind, supports mood, and helps your body regulate itself again.

And most importantly…you deserve it.

Want Personal Support This Season?

If you’re craving more ease, gentler movement, and practices that actually fit into your life (not another hour-long class you don’t have time for), I’d love to support you.

I help women over 50 reduce stiffness, calm stress, and feel more at home in their bodies again through:

✨ short, doable yoga sessions

✨ trauma-informed breath + energy practices

✨ nervous-system-friendly movement

✨ simple daily tools for real relief

You’re invited to:

Visit my website to explore what support feels good for you

or

Book a free, gentle connection call — and together we’ll find the practices your body truly needs right now.

You deserve a Christmas that feels calm, nurturing, and kind to your changing body.