The Power of Gratitude: Why Regulating Your Nervous System Matters More Than Being “All or Nothing”
The Power of Gratitude During Perimenopause
This time of year can feel like a blur - endless to-do lists, family gatherings, and the pressure to keep up. But instead of adding more to my plate, I’ve been focusing on something that actually helps me slow down: gratitude.
It’s a simple yet powerful way to regulate the nervous system - and during perimenopause, that can make a huge difference in how we feel.
My Gratitude Practice (and How It’s Evolved)
A few years ago, I started writing down ten things I was grateful for each morning. It was a good habit, but honestly, I went through the motions. My list looked the same most days - my family, my health, my coffee.
Then I heard someone suggest focusing on what you were grateful for in the past 24 hours. That one shift changed everything. Suddenly, gratitude became specific and connected to real emotions, not just routine.
Now, I notice things like:
The quiet calm before everyone else wakes up
The way the sunlight hits the leaves during my walk
My child’s laughter over something completely silly
When I focus on those small, present-moment wins, I feel grounded. My breath slows, my shoulders drop, and my whole body softens - that’s nervous system regulation in action.
Why Gratitude Helps Regulate Your Nervous System
Practicing gratitude activates your parasympathetic nervous system - your body’s “rest and digest” mode. This helps lower cortisol levels and signals to your body that you’re safe.
During perimenopause, estrogen naturally fluctuates, which can throw off how our bodies manage stress. We may notice more anxiety, irritability, or even physical symptoms like heart palpitations or sleep disruptions.
So even if we’re eating clean and exercising regularly, chronic stress can keep us stuck. When your body is in a constant state of fight-or-flight, it’s not prioritizing hormone balance, digestion, or repair - it’s focused on survival.
That’s why regulating your nervous system is just as important as nutrition and movement. It’s the foundation that allows everything else to work better.
You Don’t Have to Be All or Nothing
One of the biggest mindset traps women fall into is thinking they have to go “all in” for something to count.
You don’t have to meditate for 30 minutes, do an hour of yoga, or journal perfectly every day. Small, consistent moments of calm are what retrain your nervous system.
Try these:
Take three deep breaths before exiting your bed in the morning
Step outside for a few minutes between meetings
Set a timer for a few minutes of pure silence, or turn the radio off for a few minutes while driving
Write down three things you’re grateful for before bed
Every time you do one of these, you’re sending your body a message: “I’m safe. I’m okay.”
That’s the real work of nervous system regulation - not perfection, but presence.
How This Ties Back to Perimenopause Wellness
We can eat well, move our bodies, and even get enough sleep - but if our stress is unregulated, our hormones will still feel out of whack.
When we calm our nervous system, we create the conditions for healing. We digest food better. We sleep more deeply. We think more clearly. And we have the energy to show up for ourselves - and the people we love.
So as you move through this season, remember: thriving through perimenopause isn’t about doing more - it’s about doing what matters most for your body, mind, and hormones.
Want Support in Finding Your Calm?
Inside The Peri Power Collective, we focus on more than just food and fitness. You’ll learn tools to manage stress, improve sleep, and balance hormones - all while being supported by other women who get it.
Because thriving in perimenopause isn’t about being perfect - it’s about being consistent, connected, and compassionate with yourself. And let’s face it - you know what to do - but sometimes you need a little extra motivation to actually DO them!
Join The Peri Power Collective today and lock in your founder’s rate.
