EP1 Perimenopause, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Awareness

Beth and Evelyn discuss managing mood changes during the shorter days, coping strategies, and boosting mental health in the fall, the role of hormones in mood regulation, how hormone shifts during perimenopause contribute to mood changes, and how SAD’s lack of sunlight affects serotonin and melatonin production, contributing to depressive symptoms. Perimenopause and SAD can intensify feelings of stress or anxiety, making mental health management a relevant pairing. They review techniques like mindfulness, meditation, or cognitive-behavioral therapy, which can be discussed as coping tools.