Menopause, Mood Swings & Me: Finding Peace in the Storm

A few months ago, I found myself waking up in a cold sweat, heart racing, convinced I’d never sleep through the night again. One moment, I was a lifelong heavy sleeper; the next, insomnia had hijacked my calendar—and my sanity. My mood swung from unstoppable drive to tearful exhaustion in seconds, and bloating became my uninvited daily companion.

If you’re here, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Perimenopause felt like a 24/7 roller coaster I never signed up for, and I was determined to find a way off. In this post, I’ll share the honest, heartfelt solutions that helped me conquer hot flashes, calm my restless mind, and reclaim restful sleep.

I’ll also link to the exact products I’ve tried and trusted (affiliate links ahead, only to things that truly worked for me), plus a few images of my nighttime routine, favorite supplements, and workout gear. Let’s dive in—and together, rediscover our inner strength.

Let’s talk about sleep — or the sudden lack of it.

I’ve always been a good sleeper. One of those people who could fall asleep anywhere, anytime, and stay that way for a solid eight hours. But then came menopause, and sleep just… left the building. I’d wake up at 3 am for no reason, stare at the ceiling, and watch the clock tick toward morning. I tried a bunch of things, some better than others, but what surprisingly helped was Futurebiotics Ashwagandha Extra Strength. I didn’t believe it at first — just another supplement, right? But when I found myself blinking slowly at my laptop in the afternoon, eyelids heavy and brain fog settling in, I had to admit: this stuff was doing something. I was sleeping. Maybe a little too effective — I do feel a bit foggy in the mornings, like there’s still a soft herbal haze hanging over me.
But even so? It’s absolutely worth it.

Matcha Over Coffee? I Didn’t Think I’d Say This Either.

I’ve always loved coffee — the ritual, the smell, the way it wraps around my mornings like a warm hug. But, in perimenopause, all that cortisol triggers isn’t doing us any favors. So, I had to find a gentler companion. Enter: Naoki Matcha Superior Ceremonial Blend. Smooth, grassy, beautifully bitter in that Japanese way I adore — this matcha is now part of my quiet morning routine. And honestly? It doesn’t just replace coffee. It changes the whole vibe. I feel calmer, clearer, and just a little more in tune with myself. Like a Kyoto breeze in a cup.

When You Want to Fix Everything at Once

I’ll be honest—I bought Amberen on a day when I was ready to scream. Not sleep-deprived tired, not “need a spa day” tired, but deep-in-my-bones tired. The kind of tired that comes from not knowing whether you’re about to cry, sweat, or snap at someone for breathing too loudly.

So I gave this a try. And… something shifted.
Not in a dramatic, overnight miracle way—but gradually, I felt more me. The weird moods calmed down. The night sweats weren’t gone, but they didn’t soak the sheets. And I had energy. Not gym-energy, but “I can answer emails without hating life” energy.

It’s not a magic pill (and believe me, I don’t believe in those), but Amberen surprised me. A lot.

I know. But I have to say it: you do need to move your body.

Let me be clear: I’m hopeless at meditation.
You know those women in cute yoga sets, just breathing on a mat, totally zen? I’ve always admired them.
I tried. I really did. But within five minutes I was more stressed than when I started—thinking about my to-do list, my thighs, dinner, life. More stress, more cortisol, more weight gain… hello spiral.

So I turned to running.
Well, jogging—let’s not get carried away.

It’s simple. I run outside, by the river, blast my favorite songs from the 2000s, and after the first mile or so, something shifts. I’m not thinking anymore. I’m just moving.
By the end, everything hurts—but I feel alive.

One little helper? This sports bra.
The FITTIN Racerback Sports Bra doesn’t fix my life, but it does keep my girls from bouncing around like they’re in a rock concert. And honestly, that helps.

And Finally, Just Breathe.

Just… breathe.

If you feel like your emotions are all over the place, if you suddenly find yourself angry or sad without a reason, if something small makes you want to scream or cry—pause.

Take a few deep breaths.
Slow.
Steady.
Again.

You’re not broken. You’re not crazy.
You’re not alone.

This is hard.
But you’re still here. You’re still you, just shifting.

And maybe…..

You have a trick of your own.
Something small. Something surprising.

What helped you through the fog?
I’d love to know — maybe it’ll help someone else too. 💛

Wanna feel even better? Check out other posts like this: https://www.afterfortyraindrop.com/10-powerful-mini-hacks-for-your-dream-bikini-body-after-40/