What is your body trying to tell you?

Because your body is basically sending you memos all the time… in ALL CAPS!

Did you used to think that your body and you had a pretty good working relationship? You fed it, it showed up for meetings, you both agreed that coffee was essential.

Then one day, it started sending you strange messages. Sleepless nights. Random hot flushes in the middle of a board presentation. Mood swings that came out of nowhere (watch out anyone who asks you “what’s for dinner?” during that time).

At first, you might ignore them or even try to push through. You probably didn’t even know that these were messages from your body because we’ve never really been taught how to listen out for these messages or how to interpret them.

These symptoms are not random acts of cruelty. They’re signals. Little memos from your body saying, “Something’s shifting, and I need your attention.” If you listen well, you can adjust quickly to support your body through this.

Let’s translate them.

1. Hot Flushes & Night Sweats — “Your thermostat is in training.”

What’s happening: Oestrogen helps regulate your internal temperature. When it drops, your body can suddenly think it’s overheating—even if you’re in a freezing air-conditioned office.
What it’s telling you: Your nervous system is on high alert, reacting to even small changes in temperature.
Try: Layered clothing, keeping your bedroom cool, and cutting back on alcohol, caffeine, and spicy food (yes, even that Friday night curry).

2. Brain Fog — “We’re reorganising the filing cabinet, please hold.”

What’s happening: Hormonal changes can impact how quickly your brain processes and retrieves information. Oestrogen supports neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine—without it, you might forget why you walked into a room or lose a word mid-sentence.
What it’s telling you: Your brain is adapting to new chemical levels—it’s not disappearing, it’s rewiring.
Try: Adequate sleep, strength training, and foods rich in omega-3s (salmon, walnuts, chia seeds). And write things down, use the reminder app on your phone—your brain will thank you!

3. Weight Gain Around the Middle — “We’re saving for a rainy day… in your waistline.”

What’s happening: Lower oestrogen and progesterone affect insulin sensitivity and slows your metabolism. Combine that with stress (hello, cortisol), and your body stores fat more easily around the belly.
What it’s telling you: Your metabolism needs a new management plan, which we will go through in more detail in following weeks, but in the meantime…
Try: Strength training to build muscle, protein-rich meals, and managing stress levels so cortisol doesn’t run the show.

4. Mood Swings & Anxiety — “Our emotional dial is a bit sensitive right now.”

What’s happening: Oestrogen influences serotonin (your happy hormone) and GABA (your calming neurotransmitter). When levels drop, mood changes and anxiety can spike.
What it’s telling you: Your nervous system is more sensitive to stress and emotional triggers.
Try: Daily movement, mindfulness, magnesium-rich foods (leafy greens, pumpkin seeds), and talking openly with a trusted friend—or a professional. Let others know around you how you are feeling.

5. Sleep Disturbances — “We’ve forgotten how to turn the lights off.”

What’s happening: Low progesterone makes it harder to relax, and hot flushes/night sweats can wake you at night. Cortisol can also spike if you’re stressed, making sleep elusive.
What it’s telling you: Your sleep system needs extra support.
Try: A consistent wind-down routine (meditation, breath work, reading a book), a cool, dark bedroom, and limiting screens before bed.

6. Joint Pain & Muscle Aches — “We need a little more TLC.”

What’s happening: Oestrogen has an anti-inflammatory effect, and without it, you may notice more stiffness or soreness—especially in the morning or after exercise.
What it’s telling you: Your body needs more recovery time and anti-inflammatory support.
Try: Gentle mobility work, omega-3-rich foods, avoid foods that are inflammatory (gluten, dairy, sugar and alcohol to name some of the big culprits) and keeping hydrated.

Me at a recent walk in the Nelson Region.

The Bottom Line

Menopause symptoms can feel random, frustrating, and—let’s be honest—sometimes downright unfair. But each one is a message. And once you understand the language, you can respond with what your body actually needs, rather than fighting it. Which ultimately help you in the end to Thrive Through Menopause!

Next week, we’ll go deeper into the sneaky, less-talked-about symptoms of menopause—the ones even your doctor might not connect to your hormones.

Until then, remember:
Your body isn’t broken. She’s talking to you and tell you what support she needs from you.
And now? You’ve got the translation guide.

Put the mask on you first, listen to your body, support her and thrive again!

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