Finding Gratitude in the Symptoms: Listening to Your Body During Perimenopause
If you’re in perimenopause or menopause, you may have felt, or are feeling, frustrated, confused, or even betrayed by your body at some point.
The hot flashes, mood swings, low energy, disrupted sleep — they can make you feel like your body has turned against you.
But what if, instead of fighting those symptoms, we started listening to them?
What if our bodies weren’t rebelling… but communicating?
What if our bodies weren’t rebelling… but communicating?
💫 Your Symptoms Are Messages, Not Malfunctions
Perimenopause is a season of incredible change — physically, hormonally, and emotionally. And like any transition, it can be uncomfortable.
But our symptoms are not random or meaningless. They’re signals — little nudges from the body saying, “Something needs attention.”
Maybe that’s your sleep, your nutrition, your stress level, or even your boundaries.
As Dr. Christiane Northrup, author of The Wisdom of Menopause, writes:
“Every symptom is a message in need of your attention, not something to be silenced or ignored.”
When we approach our bodies with gratitude instead of frustration, we shift from seeing symptoms as punishment to seeing them as guidance.
🌷 My Story: From Frustration to Gratitude
There was a time when I felt like my body had completely turned on me.
My energy levels were tanked. I was constantly cold. My hair was falling out. My monthly cycle stopped altogether.
I didn’t feel like me anymore.
My energy levels were tanked. I was constantly cold. My hair was falling out. My monthly cycle stopped altogether.
I didn’t feel like me anymore.
I went from doctor to doctor, searching for answers — and with every new prescription, I actually felt worse. I remember thinking, Why is my body doing this to me?
Eventually, I started doing my own research and learning more about nutrition and lifestyle. I began to understand that my symptoms weren’t random — they were clues.
My body wasn’t broken. It was asking me to pay attention.
My body wasn’t broken. It was asking me to pay attention.
I started nourishing myself with foods that truly made me feel good.
I prioritized sleep.
I learned to manage my stress and make time for stillness.
And perhaps most importantly — I worked on my mindset.
I prioritized sleep.
I learned to manage my stress and make time for stillness.
And perhaps most importantly — I worked on my mindset.
When I look back now, I’m grateful for that difficult season. It forced me to slow down, reevaluate, and reconnect with myself.
It led me to health coaching and gave me the chance to help other women find their own balance and healing.
That season became one of the greatest gifts of my life.
It led me to health coaching and gave me the chance to help other women find their own balance and healing.
That season became one of the greatest gifts of my life.
🌿 The Science of Gratitude and Healing
Gratitude is more than a mindset — it’s a powerful healing tool.
Research shows that practicing gratitude can lower stress hormones like cortisol, improve sleep, and increase emotional resilience (UCLA Health, 2023).
In other words, gratitude helps shift your nervous system from “fight or flight” to “rest and restore.”
And that’s exactly what your body needs during perimenopause — less stress, more balance, and more connection.
And that’s exactly what your body needs during perimenopause — less stress, more balance, and more connection.
So when you start to notice a symptom, instead of getting frustrated, try saying:
“Thank you, body, for telling me something’s off. I’m listening.”
It’s amazing what changes when you stop fighting your body and start partnering with it.
🌸 Reframing the Journey
Here’s a gentle invitation:
This week, take one symptom you’ve been frustrated with and reframe it through gratitude.
This week, take one symptom you’ve been frustrated with and reframe it through gratitude.
💛 Instead of “I’m so tired of feeling tired,” try:
→ “My body is asking me to rest and restore.”
→ “My body is asking me to rest and restore.”
💛 Instead of “Why am I so moody?”
→ “My body is reminding me to slow down and tend to my emotions.”
→ “My body is reminding me to slow down and tend to my emotions.”
💛 Instead of “Why can’t I lose weight?”
→ “My body is inviting me to explore nourishment, not restriction.”
→ “My body is inviting me to explore nourishment, not restriction.”
Every symptom is an invitation to deepen your connection with your body — and gratitude is the key that opens that door.
🌼 Your Gratitude Challenge for the Week
As we move through this month of gratitude, I encourage you to reflect on your own journey.
👉 What’s one thing your body has taught you recently?
👉 What’s one thing you can be thankful for — even in the middle of change?
👉 What’s one thing you can be thankful for — even in the middle of change?
If you want help starting a gratitude practice, check out my journals on Amazon:
- 🌼 30 Days of Joy — daily guided reflections to help you find light in everyday moments.
- 🌸 Finding Peace and Purpose During Perimenopause — a 3-month guided journal for this season of change.
- 🎨 Color Me Grateful — a coloring book filled with gratitude affirmations for relaxation and reflection.
Also, check out my Complete Perimenopause Health Planner, to start tracking your symptoms and reflecting on how your body is trying to communicate with you.
Your body is wise. Your symptoms are messengers.
And when you start to listen — you’ll find gratitude waiting on the other side.
And when you start to listen — you’ll find gratitude waiting on the other side.
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