What Helps Me Feel Good Again During Perimenopause (Even When My Body Feels Off)

Something felt off.

Even though I’d been doing everything "right"—eating clean, sleeping well, training, breathwork, supplements, hormone support—I woke up one morning feeling off balance, more tired, and more fragile. My nervous system felt less resilient, like I couldn’t quite bounce back the way I usually do.

And then I checked my Oura Ring: my resting heart rate was up, my heart rate variability was down, and my body temperature had been fluctuating wildly for days. No fever, no illness—just my hormones doing their mysterious perimenopausal dance.

The more I learn, the more I realise: this is not just me. This is what perimenopause can feel like.

It can feel like your body suddenly has its own mood, its own weather. It can feel like the things that used to work, don’t always work anymore. And yet—having this kind of information has been deeply empowering.

Knowing what’s going on in my body helps me feel good again during perimenopause. It gives me tools, not fear. It gives me choice.

So here are the six things that help me feel better and bounce back—what helps me feel good again during perimenopause, even when my body feels off.

1. Training That Helps Me Feel Good Again During Perimenopause

Movement has always been a part of my life—through yoga, surfing, and training. I’ve moved for joy, for energy, for connection, for grounding. In perimenopause, that connection to movement has deepened. Now more than ever, I recognise it as a form of medicine—for my mind, my nervous system, and my overall resilience.

Now I know: it's about resilience. It’s about feeling alive. It’s about longevity.

Peter Attia, in his book Outlive, once believed nutrition was the key to living well longer. But now? He says exercise is the number one pillar of longevity. I agree.

For women in our 40s, this doesn’t mean random workouts. It means being strategic—especially with our changing hormones.

• Soul Sculpt is my answer to that: strength, breath, and awareness woven into one.

• I also include short interval intensity training (SIIT)—to build metabolic health without spiking cortisol.

• I draw inspiration from Dr. Stacy Sims, who reminds us that women are not small men—we need movement tailored to our cycle, stress levels, and shifting physiology.

Movement is what helps me feel good again during perimenopause—it keeps me grounded, strong, and connected.

2. Nutrition — not just what you eat, but when and how

My approach to food has shifted.

Now, it’s all about:

• Protein first (to support muscle and hormone production)

• Fibre daily (for gut health and hormone clearance)

• Balancing blood sugar (to avoid the rollercoaster that can crash your mood and energy)

I avoid gluten, refined sugar, ultra-processed foods, alcohol, dairy (except high-quality goat cheese as a treat), and keep carbs light during the day. Not because I follow a trend—but because this is what makes me feel good again during perimenopause.

It’s a love note to my body.

3. Nature — the ultimate nervous system reset

Some days, nothing works—except walking into the forest.

Being barefoot in the grass, listening to birds, hiking by the ocean… these are not extras. They’re medicine. They regulate my nervous system in a way no supplement can.

When everything else is off, nature helps me feel good again during perimenopause.

4. Breathwork — gentle, powerful, free

When my nervous system feels wired, breath is the fastest way back to centre.

I practise:

• Slow, coherent breathing (5–6 breaths per minute)

• Longer exhales

• Simply placing my hands on my belly and breathing deeply for 3 minutes

It reminds my body that it’s safe. That I’m home.

5. Supplements — personalised, but powerful

My current essentials:

• Magnesium (glycinate, and sometimes bicarbonate)

• Omega-3

• Vitamin D + K2

• Liposomal vitamin C

  
  

But the key is: get tested. Information is empowerment. Don’t guess—go deeper. Every woman is different, and what works for me may not be what your body needs.

6. Hormone Replacement Therapy — my lifeline

This one isn’t for everyone, but for me, it was a game-changer.

Yes, it took time to find the right type, the right dose, the right timing. Yes, there’s still a lot of misinformation and fear-mongering out there. But the science is evolving, and body-identical HRT is safer and more effective than many of us have been told.

It shouldn’t be a secret. It shouldn’t be hard to access. And if you ever want to talk about it—truly, I’m here.

Final thought: You are not alone

Perimenopause isn’t something to fix—it’s something to understand. It’s not a broken season—it’s a powerful one.

If you’d like to move with me—online from your home—Soul Sculpt is open. The first cycle is free until the 22nd of May 2025. Replays included. No pressure, just support.

Let’s move through this together.

With love,

Shaini