Burnout, Hormones, and the Slow Creep of Exhaustion: My Journey Through Peri-Menopause

Burnout doesn’t hit you all at once—it builds slowly. For me, the seeds were planted around age 42. As a newly single mom of two boys, I poured everything into making life as rich and fulfilling as possible for them. While I never overloaded them with extracurricular activities, I see now how common this is for many moms. The pressure to enroll kids in endless sports, lessons, and clubs often leaves moms and children running on empty. Even without an over-packed schedule, I was constantly on the go, trying to do it all for my boys.

But it wasn’t just the emotional stress that caught up with me. After my divorce, I turned to intense physical activity as a way to cope. Running, hiking, and pushing my body to its limits became my escape. During the pandemic, I took it even further—biking, hiking, and camping on my own with my kids to keep us all sane. On the surface, it felt like I was thriving, but in reality, I was running myself into the ground.

Now, at 48, I can see how the combination of chronic stress and overexercise slowly drained me. I burned through my yin, the vital energy reserve in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that supports rest, recovery, and balance. Today, while I’ve made progress, I’m still navigating the aftermath of that depletion.

The High Cost of Overexertion and Stress

The physical and emotional demands we place on ourselves, especially as moms, often go unnoticed until they become impossible to ignore. Overexertion—whether through relentless exercise or overcommitting to daily responsibilities—takes a toll on the body, especially during peri-menopause when hormonal changes amplify the impact.

From a TCM perspective, excessive physical activity and chronic stress deplete both yin (cooling, restorative energy) and qi (the body’s life force). This leads to a range of symptoms, including:

• Persistent fatigue

• Anxiety and mood swings

• Sleep disturbances

• Physical discomfort and tension

For many women, peri-menopause is when these underlying imbalances fully surface, often making them feel like they’ve hit a wall.

How I’m Managing Burnout and Peri-Menopause

Recovering from burnout has been a journey of learning to listen to my body and recalibrate. Here’s what’s been helping me navigate this transition:

1. Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been a cornerstone of my care, helping to calm my overactive nervous system and support my body’s natural healing processes. It has improved my sleep, reduced anxiety, and provided the energy I need to show up for myself and my family.

2. Chinese Herbs and Supplements

Herbal formulas tailored to my needs have played a vital role in replenishing my yin and balancing my hormones. Paired with key supplements, they’ve helped me recover from the depletion caused by years of stress and overexertion.

3. Nutrition for Hormonal Balance

I’ve shifted my focus to nourishing, whole foods that support steady energy and hormonal health. Using food as medicine has been transformative, providing my body with the building blocks it needs to thrive.

4. Simplifying and Prioritizing

One of the most impactful changes has been embracing the power of less. I’ve stopped trying to do everything perfectly and learned to prioritize what truly matters. By focusing on quality time with my kids and cutting out unnecessary commitments, I’ve created more space for rest and self-care.

5. Scaling Back on Intense Workouts

For years, I believed pushing harder was the answer, but I’ve learned that more isn’t always better. I’ve replaced high-intensity exercise with more restorative practices, like yoga, gentle hikes and strength training which keep me active without draining my energy reserves.

The TCM Approach to Burnout and Hormonal Health

Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a holistic path to recovery for women experiencing burnout, particularly during the hormonal shifts of peri-menopause and menopause. Through acupuncture, herbal medicine, and lifestyle guidance, TCM helps to:

• Restore balance to the nervous system

• Replenish depleted yin and qi

• Support better sleep and emotional well-being

• Address physical symptoms like fatigue and tension

Progress, Not Perfection

Even with all these tools, I still have days where I feel overwhelmed or drained. But I’ve come to accept that healing isn’t linear. It’s about finding sustainable practices that allow me to show up as my best self, one step at a time.

If you’re feeling the weight of burnout or struggling with hormonal changes, know that you’re not alone. There is hope, and TCM offers a supportive, holistic approach to help you reclaim your energy and balance.

Let’s Work Together

At Free Flow Health, I specialize in helping women navigate burnout and hormonal transitions with acupuncture, herbal medicine, and personalized care plans. Together, we can create a path to renewed vitality that works for your unique needs.

Ready to start your journey? Schedule your first appointment today and take the first step toward feeling more like yourself again.

For those unable to visit in person, I also offer virtual coaching to provide guidance on lifestyle, nutrition, and emotional support no matter where you are.