Reducing your stress has multiple benefits. You’ll produce less stress hormones, which means more balanced sex hormones. You’ll get better sleep which means more focus, more mental energy, and new cell production. And, you’ll have fewer cravings for not-so-nutritious foods which means cleaner diet, more physical energy, and less inflammation.

Stress reduction is actually more about being proactive than just finding ways to cope with stress when it arises. But that doesn’t mean it has to be super complicated or take up  a lot of time. Since the key is consistency, you’re better off committing to 5-10 minutes a day to stress reduction than an hour once per week.

My top suggestions include:

• Yoga – If you can’t make it into a class, Summer Healing Yoga offers live streaming classes
• Breathwork Techniques
• Artwork
• Journaling – Especially gratitude journaling
• Dancing
• Meditation – There are some AWESOME apps out there, such as Headspace, Unplug, Calm, and Simple Habit
• Spending time outdoors

My peri-menopause patients enjoy their acupuncture treatments as well as herbal formulas designed to help bring hot flushes, dryness, insomnia, and emotional roller coasters under control. I also carry in the clinic a BEAUTIFUL  herbal-based sensory sexual lubricant called Dewy Fruit.