THE GUIDE · NO. 10
Mood Swings, Explained.
You're not 'too much.' Your hormones are busy.
BY deia1 MIN READ
Laughing at breakfast. Crying at a dog food ad by lunch. Ready to fight the printer by 3pm.
Hormone changes during perimenopause and menopause can affect your mood, and poor sleep makes everything harder. You're not imagining it, and you're not "too much."
What helps
- Protect your sleep. Tired brains have shorter fuses.
- Move every day. A walk outside counts, and daylight helps.
- Name it. "I'm feeling irritable and it's not about you" can save a lot of arguments.
- Track it. Notice patterns, like time of day, sleep or stress. They're useful to share with your doctor.
- Lighten the load. Say no to one thing this week.
- Talk to someone. A friend, a partner, a therapist. Saying it out loud helps.
When to get help
If low mood, anxiety or hopelessness lasts more than a couple of weeks, or starts to affect your daily life, please talk to your doctor. If you ever have thoughts of harming yourself, reach out right away. In the US and Canada, you can call or text 988.
You're still you, deia
This article is for general information only and isn't medical advice. Please talk to your doctor about your own health.