In this episode, I share a personal story about the challenges of parenting a teenager—and how it surprisingly mirrors the experience of perimenopause.

We explore how hormonal fluctuations affect behaviour, emotions, and reactions, and why this can create tension in the home—especially when both parent and child are struggling at the same time.

More importantly, we look at what we can learn from this… including why prioritising yourself is not selfish, but essential.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why teenage behaviour isn’t just “attitude”
• The hormonal similarities between teenagers and perimenopause
• The concept of the “sandwich generation”
• Why self-care becomes non-negotiable in midlife
• How your reactions influence others (especially your children)
• Simple ways to start prioritising yourself—even when life is busy

Key takeaway:
You don’t need more time—you need to give yourself permission to come first sometimes.

Support & Resources:

• Explore support for menopause symptoms
• Listen to previous podcast episodes for practical strategies
• Get in touch for 1:1 support

www.thriveandshinewomenswellness.co.uk

Free Masterclass: Is Perimenopause Causing Your Symptoms? → Click here to watch

Supporting women’s health transitions with physiotherapy, menopause mentoring, Pilates and subconscious mindset tools.

Follow, subscribe and share the Making Sense of Menopause podcast to help more women access the support they deserve.

Have you ever been told to “just get on with it” after surgery?

In this episode, I share a real patient story that highlights a much bigger issue in women’s health: the lack of support, follow-up, and education after major gynaecological surgery.

This patient had a full abdominal hysterectomy and was placed into surgical menopause—yet received little to no guidance on recovery, long-term health, or how to manage her symptoms.

And sadly, this isn’t unusual.

Across my career as a women’s health physiotherapist, I’ve seen the same pattern time and time again:
Women undergoing major surgery, then being left to manage recovery alone.

Why this is a problem

Unlike orthopaedic surgery (such as hip or knee replacements), where patients receive:

• Structured rehabilitation
• Routine physiotherapy
• Clear recovery milestones
• Ongoing follow-up

Women’s health surgery often comes with:

• Minimal or no follow-up
• No routine physiotherapy
• Little education on recovery
• No clear guidance on what’s normal

This includes:

• Hysterectomy
• C-section recovery
• Other gynaecological procedures

The long-term impact

Recovery isn’t just about the first few weeks.

For many women, especially those entering surgical menopause, there are longer-term considerations, including:

• Pelvic health issues (incontinence, prolapse)
• Pain and function
• Bone health
• Heart health
• Brain health
• Managing menopause symptoms

Without support, many women are left feeling:

• Confused
• Frustrated
• Unsupported
• Unsure where to turn

Why this matters

Every woman will experience menopause, and many will undergo some form of gynaecological treatment or surgery.

Yet the level of support does not match the scale of the need.

While the NHS provides incredible care under pressure, there remains a significant gap in:

• Education
• Follow-up
• Long-term support

What you can do

If you’ve had surgery or are struggling with menopause symptoms:

• Don’t be fobbed off
• Ask questions
• Write things down before appointments
• Ask for referrals to specialists
• Seek support if you’re unsure

You deserve proper guidance and support.

💬 Need support?

If you feel like you’ve been left to get on with it, you don’t have to manage this alone.

You can reach out to me for support, either:

• In person
• Online

Or I can help guide you to the right support locally.

🔗 Connect with me

👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveandshinewomenswellness/

👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thriveandshinewomenswellness

www.thriveandshinewomenswellness.co.uk

Free Masterclass: Is Perimenopause Causing Your Symptoms? → Click here to watch

Supporting women’s health transitions with physiotherapy, menopause mentoring, Pilates and subconscious mindset tools.

Follow, subscribe and share the Making Sense of Menopause podcast to help more women access the support they deserve.

Do you struggle to switch off at the end of the day?
Feel like your mind is constantly racing, even when you’re trying to relax?

In this episode, I share how something simple—doing a jigsaw—has become a powerful way for me to switch off, reduce stress, and bring myself back into the moment.

After years of not doing them, I recently found myself drawn back to jigsaws. What started as a bit of nostalgia quickly became something I now genuinely look forward to each day. But more importantly, it’s highlighted something we’re often missing in modern life: true mental rest.

We spend so much time:

• On our phones
• Thinking, planning, and problem-solving
• Moving from one task to the next

But we rarely give ourselves time to slow down and let our nervous system settle.

Why switching off matters (especially in menopause)

Chronic stress doesn’t just affect how we feel mentally—it has a real physical impact on the body.

When stress levels remain high:

• Cortisol (our stress hormone) increases
• Sleep can be disrupted
• Energy levels fluctuate
• Brain fog can worsen
• Blood sugar can become less stable

During perimenopause and menopause, this becomes even more important. As hormone levels change, the body relies more on other systems (like the adrenal glands), which are also responsible for managing stress.

This means that ongoing stress can make menopause symptoms feel worse.

The role of mindfulness (and why simple things work)

What I’ve found with doing a jigsaw is that it forces you to:

• Focus on one thing
• Block out distractions
• Be fully present

That’s essentially mindfulness—but without needing to sit still or “try to meditate”.

It’s simple, practical, and actually enjoyable.

And it doesn’t have to be a jigsaw.

Other options could include:

• Colouring
• Drawing or painting
• Knitting or crochet
• Any creative activity that brings you into the moment

The key is finding something that:

• Feels easy
• Requires focus
• Helps calm your nervous system

Why this matters for your health

Taking even a few minutes each day to slow down and switch off can:

• Reduce stress levels
• Support better sleep
• Improve focus and clarity
• Help manage menopause symptoms more effectively

It’s not about doing more—it’s about creating space to reset.

Let’s make it practical

What could you do this week to give yourself a few mindful minutes?

It doesn’t need to be complicated.
It just needs to be something you’ll actually do.

💬 Let me know

I’d love to hear from you—what are you going to try this week?

👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveandshinewomenswellness/

👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thriveandshinewomenswellness

Come and share what helps you switch off—or whether you’re a jigsaw person!

www.thriveandshinewomenswellness.co.uk

Free Masterclass: Is Perimenopause Causing Your Symptoms? → Click here to watch

Supporting women’s health transitions with physiotherapy, menopause mentoring, Pilates and subconscious mindset tools.

Follow, subscribe and share the Making Sense of Menopause podcast to help more women access the support they deserve.