What to Bring Into the Storm:
A Letter of Natural Support for Perimenopause

Nourishment, Grounding, and Comfort for the Midlife Body and Soul

Perimenopause can feel like walking into a storm without warning—emotionally, physically, and spiritually. As a functional dietitian and life coach who’s walking through this season too, I’ve learned that sometimes the most powerful tools aren’t complicated protocols… they’re the simplest comforts.

Recently, during a literal storm in our Tennessee home, my 4-year-old reminded me of exactly what we need to carry into every kind of storm—seen or unseen.

We’ve had what feels like an unprecedented wave of storms here in Middle Tennessee lately—loud, sudden, unsettling.

Yesterday, the wind finally claimed the ancient oak in our yard.
The one my kids had named Zacchaeus.

And as I was tucking my youngest into bed that night, he thoughtfully recounted what he’d pack if we needed to head to our tornado shelter:

• A banana (something nourishing)
• A book (something grounding)
• A stuffie (something comforting)

I can’t stop thinking about it. Because that’s exactly what so many of us need in the storms we can’t see.

And honestly? That’s exactly what I want to bring into my own internal storms—especially the invisible ones: the heavy cycles, the hormonal waves, the unexpected irritability, the deep weariness of perimenopause.

So many women I walk with are asking:

• What do I do when I don’t feel like myself anymore?
• How do I show up for others when I’m running on empty?
• What can I actually bring into this storm that will help?

Whether you’re navigating:

• Hormonal shifts that feel disorienting
• Chronic health challenges no one seems to understand
• Deep conflict or anxiety in your home
• Financial pressure or soul-weariness
• Or something so personal you can’t even put it into words…

The storm is real.
And you don’t have to “power through” or pretend it isn’t happening.
You don’t have to walk through it empty-handed.

You just need to bring the right things with you.

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The Banana — Nourishment

Not rules—just the kind of care that actually calms, steadies, and supports your body’s real needs.

During perimenopause, your body is working hard to maintain balance while hormone levels shift in unpredictable ways. Prioritizing nourishment is one of the most powerful ways to steady your system:

• Start with protein at every meal to stabilize blood sugar and support mood and energy.
• Choose magnesium-rich foods like leafy greens, avocado, and yes—even bananas—to help ease irritability and muscle tension.
• Don’t skip healthy fats (like olive oil, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish) that are essential for hormone production.
• Sometimes we need some extra nutrients from high quality supplements to
• And keep hydration and mineral balance in check—especially if you’re dealing with fatigue, headaches, or sleep disruptions.

Sometimes, extra support is needed beyond food. Targeted, high-quality supplements—like magnesium glycinate, B-vitamins (especially B6 and B12), and omega-3s—can offer gentle but powerful support for hormone metabolism, energy, and nervous system health.

Here’s a link to the hormone supporting supplements for women’s health (including perimenopause and beyond) that I take and recommend to my clients.

It’s not about perfection or pressure. It’s about supporting your body with what it truly needs—especially when everything feels like it’s changing.

The Book — Grounding

A verse, a truth to hold, a journal to pour out your thoughts—or maybe even a favorite book from childhood.

This is also where I turn to my simple, soul-rooted rhythms—what I call the Tending Trio™ and Planting Trio™. These gentle anchors help name what matters, create clarity for the day, and keep me rooted in the midst of hormonal, emotional, or spiritual storms. No pressure. No rigid schedules. Just intentional rhythm for your real life.

If you’re looking for a grounding practice you can carry into your own storm, you can explore those trios right here.

The Stuffie — Comfort

Not something to fix you—just something soft to hold when the storm is loud.
A cup of tea.
A text thread with a friend who gets it.
A weighted blanket.
A quiet room.
Something that reminds you of God’s nearness.
Or maybe even your own favorite stuffed animal—because sometimes comfort looks like that, too.

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It might sound simple, but this is how we root ourselves.
This is how we come through the storm—not unshaken, but whole.

I don’t know what kind of winds you’re facing today, but I do know this:

You are not weak for needing comfort.
You are not broken for feeling the shift.
And you are not alone.

I’m with you in the shelter.
Banana, book, and stuffie in hand. 💛

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Ready to Talk?

If you’re navigating perimenopause, health shifts, or simply feeling unmoored in your current season, I’d love to invite you to a Welcome Hour with me—a gentle, judgment-free space to share your story and explore what support might look like for you.

You don’t have to weather this alone.

Let’s gather what you need for your storm—together.

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