https://www.senseofthisshit.com
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/menopause-and-mental-health-making-sense-of-it--7148797/support.]]>enMental Health© 2026 Let's Work This Sh*t Outhttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/a9d40b3c7364718d46ec0336c5b81d0c.jpghttps://www.senseofthisshit.comThu, 27 Aug 2026 06:19:46 +0000MarenLet's Work This Sh*t Outmenopause-mental-health@senseofthisshit.comMenopause and Mental Health: Making Sense of It is part of the Making Sense of It series — a menopause mental health podcast for adults navigating mood, sleep, identity, and cognitive shifts in perimenopause and menopause. We own menopause mental...
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/menopause-and-mental-health-making-sense-of-it--7148797/support.]]>falsecc021a97-ff61-5389-967f-f62d278b308eepisodicSupport the podcast!https://www.spreaker.com/episode/make-sense-of-menopause-mental-fog-bonus-2-min-pause-practice--74268647
Key takeaways:
- Log sleep hours, meals, and foggy or low-mood moments daily to separate hormonal effects from everyday stress.
- Use a simple two-minute afternoon breathing pause—inhale for four counts, exhale for six—to signal safety to the nervous system and ease tension in the shoulders and jaw.
- Add a short ten-minute outdoor walk to improve blood flow, supporting memory and calm.

These layered habits often bring small wins in focus and mood within days. Results vary, so adjust timing to fit your routine. If symptoms feel overwhelming, reach immediate support by calling or texting 988 in the US or Canada.

📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at menopause-mental-health@senseofthisshit.com.
Support the show: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line). In an emergency, call 911. This podcast is not a substitute for professional care.]]>4ec536b1-5032-5e91-8794-1bad5a2a82f0Thu, 27 Aug 2026 06:00:09 +0000MarenIn this episode of Menopause and Mental Health: Let's Make Sense Of This Sh*t, we explore how shifting estrogen levels quietly disrupt mood stability and mental focus, often showing up first as sudden irritability or words that vanish mid-sentence....
Key takeaways:
- Log sleep hours, meals, and foggy or low-mood moments daily to separate hormonal effects from everyday stress.
- Use a simple two-minute afternoon breathing pause—inhale for four counts, exhale for six—to signal safety to the nervous system and ease tension in the shoulders and jaw.
- Add a short ten-minute outdoor walk to improve blood flow, supporting memory and calm.

These layered habits often bring small wins in focus and mood within days. Results vary, so adjust timing to fit your routine. If symptoms feel overwhelming, reach immediate support by calling or texting 988 in the US or Canada.

📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at menopause-mental-health@senseofthisshit.com.
Support the show: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line). In an emergency, call 911. This podcast is not a substitute for professional care.]]>618anxiety,bonus,brainfog,breathing,depression,estrogen,exercise,focus,hormones,hotflashes,menopause,mentalhealth,mindfulness,mood,perimenopause,podcast,selfcare,sleep,wellness,womenfalse128fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/navigate-menopause-and-mental-health-self-compassion-when-progress-feels-slow--73831405
Key takeaways include:
- Recognizing the intention-interruption-judgment loop before it blocks momentum
- Acknowledging setbacks as part of the process rather than personal failure
- Building simple, tool-free habits that foster patience and renewed attempts

This conversation offers practical steps to ease frustration and keep moving forward without extra time or pressure.
Support the show: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line). In an emergency, call 911. This podcast is not a substitute for professional care.

📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at menopause-mental-health@senseofthisshit.com.
💛 Join Our Supporters Club ($3 a month) 💛 Ad-free listening + early episodes — help keep independent media alive. Click Here: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...]]>396178ad-05b6-599e-87b5-9ca911c37adfTue, 25 Aug 2026 06:00:07 +0000MarenIn this episode of Menopause and Mental Health: Making Sense of It, we explore self-compassion when progress feels slow amid the mental health shifts of perimenopause and menopause. You may track habits like sleep and mood routines only to face...
Key takeaways include:
- Recognizing the intention-interruption-judgment loop before it blocks momentum
- Acknowledging setbacks as part of the process rather than personal failure
- Building simple, tool-free habits that foster patience and renewed attempts

This conversation offers practical steps to ease frustration and keep moving forward without extra time or pressure.
Support the show: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line). In an emergency, call 911. This podcast is not a substitute for professional care.

📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at menopause-mental-health@senseofthisshit.com.
💛 Join Our Supporters Club ($3 a month) 💛 Ad-free listening + early episodes — help keep independent media alive. Click Here: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...]]>1992emotional-resilience,habit-tracking,inner-critic,menopause-community,menopause-fog,menopause-frustration,menopause-journey,menopause-mental-health,menopause-podcast,menopause-support,midlife-patience,midlife-self-care,midlife-wellness,perimenopause-mood,progress-sluggish,self-compassion,self-kindness,slow-change,slow-progress,womens-mental-healthfalse18fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/navigate-menopause-stress-workday-mental-health-tools--73743567
Key takeaways:
- Spot the exact moment pressure builds to create space for a mindful response.
- Keep one repeatable action ready per setting, such as stepping to a window at work or using a five-minute timer at home.
- Focus on small, low-effort steps that work even when focus is low.
Support the show: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line). In an emergency, call 911. This podcast is not a substitute for professional care.

📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at menopause-mental-health@senseofthisshit.com.
💛 Join Our Supporters Club ($3 a month) 💛 Ad-free listening + early episodes — help keep independent media alive. Click Here: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...]]>3fd544eb-f7f2-504b-9c34-7b072f39a74eTue, 18 Aug 2026 06:00:11 +0000MarenIn this episode of Menopause and Mental Health: Making Sense of It, host Maren explores practical ways to manage stress at work and home when symptoms like hot flashes, brain fog, and mood swings collide with daily demands. Drawing from her own...
Key takeaways:
- Spot the exact moment pressure builds to create space for a mindful response.
- Keep one repeatable action ready per setting, such as stepping to a window at work or using a five-minute timer at home.
- Focus on small, low-effort steps that work even when focus is low.
Support the show: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line). In an emergency, call 911. This podcast is not a substitute for professional care.

📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at menopause-mental-health@senseofthisshit.com.
💛 Join Our Supporters Club ($3 a month) 💛 Ad-free listening + early episodes — help keep independent media alive. Click Here: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...]]>1634brain-fog-deadlines,cortisol-response,emotional-regulation,estrogen-shifts,home-stress,hot-flash-scenario,managing-stress,menopause,mental-health,midlife-health,mood-swings,perimenopause,practical-tools,self-care-tips,sleep-disruption,stress-management,symptom-overlap,womens-wellness,work-home-balance,workplace-stressfalse17fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/navigate-menopause-and-mental-health-communication-skills-reduce--73739942
Key takeaways:
- Name the physical state upfront so others understand your starting point instead of guessing at hidden meaning.
- State one clear need without layering on past examples that derail the talk.
- Insert a short pause to give your nervous system time to settle before responding.

These steps turn clashes into brief recoveries that benefit both people.
Support the show: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line). In an emergency, call 911. This podcast is not a substitute for professional care.

📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at menopause-mental-health@senseofthisshit.com.
💛 Join Our Supporters Club ($3 a month) 💛 Ad-free listening + early episodes — help keep independent media alive. Click Here: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...]]>39b1212c-9a5d-5d04-a255-6cc599915f0dTue, 11 Aug 2026 06:00:09 +0000MarenIn this episode of Menopause and Mental Health: Making Sense of It, we explore communication skills that reduce conflict when hot flashes and hormonal shifts turn ordinary talks into sudden flare-ups. Host Maren shares how a quick pause phrase like...
Key takeaways:
- Name the physical state upfront so others understand your starting point instead of guessing at hidden meaning.
- State one clear need without layering on past examples that derail the talk.
- Insert a short pause to give your nervous system time to settle before responding.

These steps turn clashes into brief recoveries that benefit both people.
Support the show: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line). In an emergency, call 911. This podcast is not a substitute for professional care.

📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at menopause-mental-health@senseofthisshit.com.
💛 Join Our Supporters Club ($3 a month) 💛 Ad-free listening + early episodes — help keep independent media alive. Click Here: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...]]>1736arguments,calm-communication,communication-skills,conflict-reduction,emotional-regulation,hormone-changes,hot-flashes,irritability,listener-notes,menopause,mental-health,midlife,mood-regulation,night-sweats,pause-phrase,perimenopause,relationship,self-awareness,sleep-disruption,stress-reductionfalse16fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/navigate-menopause-and-mental-health-sleep-rest-and-nervous-system-recovery--73442615
Key takeaways:
- Recognize how hormonal shifts weaken nervous-system cues for rest.
- Apply practical tools to shorten the gap between waking and returning to sleep.
- Build consistent habits that ease racing thoughts and wired exhaustion over time.

These steps offer gradual, realistic support tailored to busy lives.
📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at menopause-mental-health@senseofthisshit.com.
https://www.spreaker.com/podca...

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line). In an emergency, call 911. This podcast is not a substitute for professional care.

📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at menopause-mental-health@senseofthisshit.com.
💛 Join Our Supporters Club ($3 a month) 💛 Ad-free listening + early episodes — help keep independent media alive. Click Here: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...]]>0fadcc9d-461f-5a31-a248-90fecd441101Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:06:10 +0000MarenIn this episode of Menopause and Mental Health: Making Sense of It, host Maren explores sleep, rest, and nervous-system recovery during perimenopause and menopause. Many women notice sudden, unexplained shifts in rest, waking alert at the same hour...
Key takeaways:
- Recognize how hormonal shifts weaken nervous-system cues for rest.
- Apply practical tools to shorten the gap between waking and returning to sleep.
- Build consistent habits that ease racing thoughts and wired exhaustion over time.

These steps offer gradual, realistic support tailored to busy lives.
📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at menopause-mental-health@senseofthisshit.com.
https://www.spreaker.com/podca...

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line). In an emergency, call 911. This podcast is not a substitute for professional care.

📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at menopause-mental-health@senseofthisshit.com.
💛 Join Our Supporters Club ($3 a month) 💛 Ad-free listening + early episodes — help keep independent media alive. Click Here: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...]]>1966body-awareness,calm-tools,estrogen,evening-routine,gaba,hypothalamus,insomnia,menopause,mental-health,midlife-wellness,nervous-system-recovery,night-waking,perimenopause,racing-thoughts,recovery-practices,rest,sleep,sleep-tips,stress-response,temperature-regulationfalse15fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/build-healthier-boundaries-through-menopause-mental-health--73002556
We then break down two practical tools you can test this week: a simple way to notice where your limits have slipped without conflict, and short phrases to use in the moment so you stop overexplaining or freezing. These steps focus on what you control instead of waiting for others to change.

Key takeaways:
- Spot the people-pleasing pattern before it drains you
- Use quick internal checks to protect your schedule and energy
- Practice short boundary phrases that reduce freeze or over-apology
https://www.spreaker.com/podca...

📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at menopause-mental-health@senseofthisshit.com.
💛 Join Our Supporters Club ($3 a month) 💛 Ad-free listening + early episodes — help keep independent media alive. Click Here: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...]]>34817a03-ea22-4207-8cb5-f8fc4ccbcc89Wed, 15 Jul 2026 22:20:10 +0000MarenIn this episode we explore how perimenopause can thin your boundaries and make people-pleasing habits suddenly costly. Hormone shifts often amplify emotions while lowering energy, turning small yeses into resentment and exhaustion. You’ll hear a real...
We then break down two practical tools you can test this week: a simple way to notice where your limits have slipped without conflict, and short phrases to use in the moment so you stop overexplaining or freezing. These steps focus on what you control instead of waiting for others to change.

Key takeaways:
- Spot the people-pleasing pattern before it drains you
- Use quick internal checks to protect your schedule and energy
- Practice short boundary phrases that reduce freeze or over-apology
https://www.spreaker.com/podca...

📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at menopause-mental-health@senseofthisshit.com.
💛 Join Our Supporters Club ($3 a month) 💛 Ad-free listening + early episodes — help keep independent media alive. Click Here: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...]]>2195assertiveness,boundaries,caregiving,communication,energy-limits,estrogen,guilt,menopause,mental-health,mood-swings,overcommitting,people-pleasing,perimenopause,recovery,relationships,resentment,saying-no,self-care,stress,womens-healthfalse14fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/understanding-menopause-mental-health-triggers-clearly--72997674
Key takeaways include:
- Note the exact trigger on paper to separate the event from your reaction.
- Use longer exhales for three breaths to calm the nervous system in the moment.
- Voice the story out loud without an audience to reduce its emotional weight.
- Distinguish the physical spike from the old narratives that amplify distress.

These practical tools help you move from wired 3 a.m. awakenings to steadier days with honesty and speed.

Support the show: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...

📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at menopause-mental-health@senseofthisshit.com.
💛 Join Our Supporters Club ($3 a month) 💛 Ad-free listening + early episodes — help keep independent media alive. Click Here: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...]]>7805fdfa-1b73-4fa2-89e1-86e848647256Wed, 15 Jul 2026 18:43:07 +0000MarenIn this episode of Menopause and Mental Health: Let's Make Sense Of This Sht, we explore how sudden triggers—like a partner's comment or an unexpected text—can spark intense emotional or physical responses during perimenopause, often fueled by...
Key takeaways include:
- Note the exact trigger on paper to separate the event from your reaction.
- Use longer exhales for three breaths to calm the nervous system in the moment.
- Voice the story out loud without an audience to reduce its emotional weight.
- Distinguish the physical spike from the old narratives that amplify distress.

These practical tools help you move from wired 3 a.m. awakenings to steadier days with honesty and speed.

Support the show: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...

📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at menopause-mental-health@senseofthisshit.com.
💛 Join Our Supporters Club ($3 a month) 💛 Ad-free listening + early episodes — help keep independent media alive. Click Here: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...]]>1938anger,anxiety,emotional-regulation,emotional-spikes,estrogen,grounding-techniques,hormone-fluctuations,menopause,mental-health,midlife-women,mood-swings,nighttime-anxiety,perimenopause,perimenopause-triggers,self-blame,self-compassion,shame-reduction,stress-response,trigger-identification,understanding-triggers-withoutfalse13fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/navigate-menopause-and-mental-health-daily-coping-strategies--72816346
Key takeaways:
- Use quick wins like gratitude notes to spot positive patterns early
- Try breathwork anywhere to ease tension and urgent thoughts
- Build a short list of go-to moves for unpredictable fog days
- Focus on immediate testing over big life changes

These approaches keep things realistic so you can adjust as needed and regain choice in tough mornings. 📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at menopause-mental-health@senseofthisshit.com. Support the show: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...

📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at menopause-mental-health@senseofthisshit.com.
💛 Join Our Supporters Club ($3 a month) 💛 Ad-free listening + early episodes — help keep independent media alive. Click Here: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...]]>308d671b-7bbd-4431-be7e-b2c551a15d19Sat, 04 Jul 2026 11:36:27 +0000MarenIn this episode we dive into four daily coping strategies you can test this week to manage mood shifts and mental fog during perimenopause or menopause. These practical tools focus on small actions that slot into your existing routine without extra...
Key takeaways:
- Use quick wins like gratitude notes to spot positive patterns early
- Try breathwork anywhere to ease tension and urgent thoughts
- Build a short list of go-to moves for unpredictable fog days
- Focus on immediate testing over big life changes

These approaches keep things realistic so you can adjust as needed and regain choice in tough mornings. 📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at menopause-mental-health@senseofthisshit.com. Support the show: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...

📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at menopause-mental-health@senseofthisshit.com.
💛 Join Our Supporters Club ($3 a month) 💛 Ad-free listening + early episodes — help keep independent media alive. Click Here: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...]]>2044anxiety,brainfog,breathingexercises,copingwithmenopausefog,dailycopingstrategies,dailymenopausetips,hormonalchanges,hotflashes,irritability,menopause,menopausecopingstrategies,menopausepodcast,menopausesymptoms,mentalhealth,mindfulness,moodswings,perimenopause,perimenopausecoping,selfcare,sleepdisruptionfalse12fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/navigate-menopause-brain-fog-mood-swings-and-what-your-doctor--72797816
Key takeaways:
- Hormone shifts directly influence focus, word recall, and anxiety spikes
- Track sleep, lunch, and movement daily to spot clusters and triggers
- Share calendar notes at appointments for personalized treatment options
https://www.spreaker.com/podca...

📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at menopause-mental-health@senseofthisshit.com.
💛 Join Our Supporters Club ($3 a month) 💛 Ad-free listening + early episodes — help keep independent media alive. Click Here: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...]]>e14d6d1a-0a94-44ec-9ccf-a61a68202307Fri, 03 Jul 2026 02:15:44 +0000MarenIn this episode, we dive into the often-overlooked mental health side of menopause, where hormone shifts trigger brain fog, sudden anxiety, and mood swings that extend far beyond hot flashes. Many women feel blindsided as estrogen drops disrupt memory...
Key takeaways:
- Hormone shifts directly influence focus, word recall, and anxiety spikes
- Track sleep, lunch, and movement daily to spot clusters and triggers
- Share calendar notes at appointments for personalized treatment options
https://www.spreaker.com/podca...

📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at menopause-mental-health@senseofthisshit.com.
💛 Join Our Supporters Club ($3 a month) 💛 Ad-free listening + early episodes — help keep independent media alive. Click Here: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...]]>349anxiety,anxietymanagement,brainfog,brainfogmenopause,cycletracking,estrogeneffects,hormonalchanges,hormoneshifts,hormonetherapy,menopauseanxiety,menopausebrainfog,menopausementalhealth,menopausesymptoms,moodswings,perimenopause,perimenopausesymptoms,selfcaremenopause,symptomtracking,treatmentoptions,womenshealthfalse11full