Grieving While in Perimenopause: Why Your Body Feels Broken and What to Do

Grieving While in Perimenopause: Why Your Body Feels Broken and What to Do

Coping with grief and parental loss is a difficult journey. This video shares my personal experience navigating medical trauma.   Between September 2019 and August 2021, I faced multiple family deaths that fundamentally changed my life. This video documents the reality of processing trauma while trying to maintain daily functions. It is intended for anyone who feels isolated in their own grief journey and needs to know they are not alone.   By sharing these moments, I hope to offer a space for reflection on how we carry loss. We examine the intersection of physical health and mental distress, specifically how medical trauma impacts our ability to heal. If you are currently coping with grief, my aim is to validate the complexities of your experience.   🔴 Book Kristen to Speak: https://www.healthylifeapproach.com/speaker [https://www.healthylifeapproach.com/speaker]   ⭐️ Support your health with my trusted partners: • Function Health – Get $25 OFF your membership: https://my.functionhealth.com/signup?code=KBEASLEY10&_saasquatch=KBEASLEY10&d=FHREF25 [https://my.functionhealth.com/signup?code=KBEASLEY10&_saasquatch=KBEASLEY10&d=FHREF25]    • Fullscript Practitioner Supplements - special discount off first and subsequent orders for my listeners: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/healthylifeapproach [https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/healthylifeapproach]    This episode includes affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting The Healthy Life Approach.    Connect With The Healthy Life Approach   Website: https://www.healthylifeapproach.com Instagram: @kristenjbeasley Facebook: @healthylifeapproach YouTube: @healthylifeapproach   Ways to Work With Me   ⚡️ Speaking Engagements: https://www.healthylifeapproach.com/speaker [https://www.healthylifeapproach.com/speaker] #Perimenopause #Grief #Women'sHealth #BrainHealth #menopause    You'll learn how grief affects cortisol, the HPA axis, estrogen, inflammation, heart health, sleep, brain fog, HRV, and nervous system regulation. Kristen also discusses why grief brain and perimenopause brain often overlap, why women in midlife are especially vulnerable to stress-related health changes, and how to gently support healing without adding more pressure to optimize.    Whether you're grieving the loss of a parent, caring for aging loved ones, experiencing anticipatory grief, or simply trying to understand why your body feels different during perimenopause, this episode offers both scientific insight and compassionate encouragement.   In this episode, you'll learn: • Why grief feels different during perimenopause • The connection between estrogen, cortisol, and chronic stress • What grief does to your brain, heart, sleep, and nervous system • Why grief brain and menopause brain fog look so similar • The truth about broken heart syndrome • How wearable devices like WHOOP and Oura can help monitor recovery • Gentle ways to support healing through sleep, nutrition, movement, and nervous system regulation • When it's time to seek medical or mental health support   At The Healthy Life Approach, my mission is to empower women with evidence-based education so they can Build Their Base, Know Their Numbers, and Own Their Outcomes through every stage of midlife health.   Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of grief, death of parents and family members, caregiving, medical trauma, terminal illness, suicide resources, and emotional loss. Please listen at your own pace and take care of yourself. If today isn't the right day for this conversation, it's okay to come back when you're ready.   Medical Disclaimer: Kristen Beasley is a Certified Functional Medicine Nutrition Coach and Certified Brain Health Coach. This podcast is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or another qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or before beginning any nutrition, supplement, exercise, or lifestyle program. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking care because of something discussed in this episode. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency services immediately. This content does not establish a coach-client or healthcare provider relationship. Individual results may vary. Some links in this description are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

WHOOP vs Oura: Which Sleep Tracker Is Actually Right?

Are you worried about low Oura ring deep sleep numbers? Learn why your sleep tracking accuracy might be changing as you get older. 🔴 Book Kristen to Speak: https://www.healthylifeapproach.com/speaker [https://www.healthylifeapproach.com/speaker] ⭐️ Save $25 on Function Health using my link: https://my.functionhealth.com/signup?code=KBEASLEY10&_saasquatch=KBEASLEY10&d=FHREF25 [https://my.functionhealth.com/signup?code=KBEASLEY10&_saasquatch=KBEASLEY10&d=FHREF25] 💊 Professional-grade supplements from Fullscript: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/healthylifeapproach [https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/healthylifeapproach] This video contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting The Healthy Life Approach. Many users notice that as they age, wearable sleep data shows a decline in deep sleep stages. This video explains why your Oura ring deep sleep stats might be dropping, specifically referencing the 2023 Oura algorithm update. If you rely on these metrics to judge your recovery, you need to understand that the software is constantly evolving and may not reflect how you actually feel when you wake up. We break down why these numbers are just one piece of the puzzle and why they do not tell the full story of your sleep quality. You will learn how to interpret these shifts in your data without feeling anxious about the changes. Understanding aging and sleep through the lens of modern trackers helps you focus on how you feel rather than just chasing a specific percentage on a screen. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why WHOOP and Oura often disagree about deep sleep • What changed with Oura's 2023 sleep algorithm update • How wearable devices estimate sleep stages • Why EEG sleep studies remain the gold standard • When low deep sleep numbers should (and shouldn't) concern you • How to interpret sleep data like a scientist instead of reacting emotionally • When it's appropriate to discuss a sleep study with your healthcare provider Subscribe for weekly wearable tech breakdowns, and comment below if you have noticed similar trends in your own sleep data. #SleepTracker #OuraRing #WHOOP #DeepSleep #brainhealth Medical Disclaimer: Kristen Beasley is a certified health coach and educator, not a physician. This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your licensed healthcare provider regarding medical concerns, testing, supplements, medications, or lifestyle changes. Affiliate links may generate a commission at no additional cost to you.

GLP-1 Drugs & Breast Cancer Risk: New Study of 217,000 Women Explained (Penn Research Breakdown)

A new large-scale study of 217,000 women has sparked major conversation about GLP-1 medications (including tirzepatide and other GLP-1 receptor agonists) and their possible relationship to breast cancer risk reduction. In this episode of The Healthy Life Approach Podcast, I break down a recent University of Pennsylvania study presented at ASCO 2026 that found women taking GLP-1 medications were diagnosed with breast cancer at a significantly lower rate than those not taking them. But what does that actually mean? We go beyond the headlines to explain: * What a retrospective cohort study actually tells us (and what it doesn’t) * Why propensity score matching matters for interpreting results * The difference between relative risk vs absolute risk reduction * How GLP-1 medications may influence metabolic health, insulin levels, inflammation, and estrogen pathways * Why this finding is not proof of causation, but an important signal for future research As someone who personally takes a GLP-1 medication, I also share my lived experience with metabolic changes during menopause, type 2 diabetes, and weight gain, and why this research is personally meaningful. Book Kristen to speak -> https://www.healthylifeapproach.com/speaker [https://www.healthylifeapproach.com/speaker]  This episode is for education and awareness only, not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance. If you’re interested in GLP-1 drugs, metabolic health, menopause, breast cancer research, or emerging medical studies, this breakdown will help you understand what the data actually says beyond the viral headlines. #GLP1 #BreastCancerAwareness #Tirzepatide #MetabolicHealth #HealthPodcast

13 Neurological Symptoms of Perimenopause No One Warned You About

13 neurological symptoms of perimenopause and menopause that many women mistake for stress, aging, or something worse. 🔴 Book Kristen to Speak: ➡️ https://www.healthylifeapproach.com/speaker [https://www.healthylifeapproach.com/speaker] ⭐️ Save $25 on Function Health and uncover key biomarkers like Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D: ➡️ https://my.functionhealth.com/signup?code=KBEASLEY10&_saasquatch=KBEASLEY10&d=FHREF25 [https://my.functionhealth.com/signup?code=KBEASLEY10&_saasquatch=KBEASLEY10&d=FHREF25] Some product links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase through them, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. ============================ All Products and Gear Mentioned in this Video 📚 Recommended Reading: 📖 The Menopause Brain: https://amzn.to/3SoPJ4w [https://amzn.to/3SoPJ4w] 📖 The New Perimenopause: https://amzn.to/4xK4q29 [https://amzn.to/4xK4q29] 📖 The New Menopause: https://amzn.to/44q1ha7 [https://amzn.to/44q1ha7] 🩺 Function Health ($25 Off): https://my.functionhealth.com/signup?code=KBEASLEY10&_saasquatch=KBEASLEY10&d=FHREF25 [https://my.functionhealth.com/signup?code=KBEASLEY10&_saasquatch=KBEASLEY10&d=FHREF25] 🌿 FullScript Supplements & Wellness Products: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/healthylifeapproach/store-start [https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/healthylifeapproach/store-start]   =========================== Connect with Us! 🌐 Website: ➡︎ https://www.healthylifeapproach.com/speaker [https://www.healthylifeapproach.com/speaker] =========================== Ways to Work With Us ⚡️ Book Kristen to Speak: ➡︎ https://www.healthylifeapproach.com/speaker [https://www.healthylifeapproach.com/speaker] ⚡️ Function Health Testing: ➡︎ https://my.functionhealth.com/signup?code=KBEASLEY10&_saasquatch=KBEASLEY10&d=FHREF25 [https://my.functionhealth.com/signup?code=KBEASLEY10&_saasquatch=KBEASLEY10&d=FHREF25] ⚡️ FullScript Wellness Store: ➡︎ https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/healthylifeapproach/store-start [https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/healthylifeapproach/store-start] #perimenopause #menopause #brainfog #womensover40 #menopausehealth Many women experience strange and often frightening symptoms during perimenopause and menopause that seem completely unrelated. Brain fog, phantom smells, burning mouth syndrome, tinnitus, anxiety, heart palpitations, sleep problems, vertigo, electric shock sensations, and memory concerns can leave women wondering if something serious is wrong. In this video, we explore 13 neurological symptoms of perimenopause that are frequently misunderstood or dismissed. You'll learn why hormonal changes affect the brain, how estrogen and progesterone influence memory, mood, sleep, and nerve signaling, and why these symptoms often follow predictable biological patterns rather than being random health problems. Drawing on research from neuroscientist Dr. Lisa Mosconi and current understanding of menopause brain health, this video explains how changes in brain energy metabolism, inflammation, nervous system sensitivity, and neurotransmitter balance can contribute to symptoms many women never expected. In this video, you'll learn: • Why brain fog during menopause is usually not dementia • The connection between hormones and anxiety, panic, and irritability • Why phantom smells, tinnitus, and burning mouth can occur • What may cause vertigo, dizziness, and electric shock sensations • How hot flashes originate in the brain's temperature control system • Practical strategies that may help improve symptoms • Why tracking symptoms and biomarkers can provide valuable insights My mission is to help women understand their bodies, advocate for their health, and navigate midlife with confidence through evidence-based education and practical wellness strategies. Disclaimer: I am a certified functional medicine health coach, not a physician. This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding symptoms, testing, supplements, medications, or treatment decisions. Affiliate links may provide a commission at no additional cost to you.

What This Season Costs: Caregiving, Perimenopause, and the Gentle Rebuild

If you're wondering why you're so exhausted while caring for a parent with dementia, this episode may provide the answers you've been searching for.   🔴 Book Kristen to Speak ➡️ [https://www.healthylifeapproach.com/speaker [https://www.healthylifeapproach.com/speaker]]   Some links may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. ============================= All Products and Resources Mentioned 📚 The Menopause Brain — Dr. Lisa Mosconi (https://amzn.to/3QuMkAv [https://amzn.to/3QuMkAv]) 📚 The Grieving Body — Mary-Frances O'Connor (https://amzn.to/4w4qvXB [https://amzn.to/4w4qvXB]) 📚 Ambiguous Loss — Pauline Boss (https://amzn.to/4y1dos7 [https://amzn.to/4y1dos7]) 📚 Loving Someone Who Has Dementia — Pauline Boss (https://amzn.to/4gzlDF9 [https://amzn.to/4gzlDF9])   =========================== Connect with us! Instagram: ➡︎ [@kristenjbeasley] Facebook: ➡︎ [@healthylifeapproach] Website: ➡︎ [https://www.healthylifeapproach.com] =========================== #DementiaCaregiving #CaregiverBurnout #Perimenopause #CaregiverStress #BrainHealth   Caring for a parent with dementia changes more than your schedule—it changes your body, brain, emotions, and sense of self. In this episode, I share my personal journey caring for both of my parents through devastating health challenges, including Lewy body dementia, hospice care, guardianship, and grief.   We'll explore the hidden physical and emotional costs of dementia caregiving, why caregiver burnout is so common, and how chronic stress affects the body in measurable ways. You'll learn about the research behind caregiver health risks, slower healing, anxiety, depression, and the invisible burden many family caregivers carry for years.   We also discuss a topic that is often overlooked: the intersection of caregiving and perimenopause. Many women begin caring for aging parents during the same years that hormonal changes affect memory, sleep, mood, and energy.    Understanding how caregiving stress and perimenopause overlap can help explain symptoms such as brain fog, exhaustion, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm.   In this episode, you'll learn:   • Why caregiver stress impacts physical health • What anticipatory grief and ambiguous loss really mean • Why many caregivers experience relief and guilt after loss • How dementia caregiving affects women differently • The connection between perimenopause and caregiver burnout • Practical ways to begin rebuilding after caregiving ends • Why recovery requires safety, rest, and patience   Whether you're currently caring for a parent with dementia, supporting a loved one through memory loss, or rebuilding after years of caregiving, this episode offers research-backed insights, validation, and hope.   My mission at The Healthy Life Approach is to help people protect their brain health, navigate life's transitions with confidence, and create sustainable wellbeing through evidence-based education.   Disclaimer: I am a certified health coach and educator, not a physician. This content is educational only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult a licensed healthcare professional regarding your individual health concerns, treatment decisions, or symptoms. Some links may be affiliate links, which help support the channel at no additional cost to you.