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Shine the Spotlight: The Psychology of Health & Business
Shine the Spotlight is a podcast about how we actually function as humans — in our health, our work, and the lives we’re trying to build. My name is Nichi Morrin, clinical psychologist, writer, lifestyle architect, and entrepreneur. I explore the psychology behind health, business, and sustainable success.
Each episode brings practical, real-world conversations at the intersection of:
Applied psychology and human behaviour
Invisible health, energy, and nervous system regulation
Business psychology, leadership, and doing work smarter — not harder
Building freedom, meaning, and a life that supports you, not just your output
This is not therapy — and it’s not hustle culture.
It’s about understanding how your mind and nervous system shape your health, your choices, and your ability to create a life and business that actually works for you.
Whether you’re a founder, professional, creative, or high-functioning human who knows there has to be a better way to live and work, Shine the Spotlight offers insight, language, and perspective to help you move forward — without burning yourself out or abandoning what matters.
Because success shouldn’t cost your health. And a good life shouldn’t be postponed.
Shine the Spotlight: The Psychology of Health & Business
Ep. 9: Perimenopause - The Invisible Struggle Often Ignored
In this episode of The Sustainable Success Series, Nichi explore’s the often invisible struggle of perimenopause. Despite its prevalence, perimenopause remains a taboo topic, leaving many women feeling isolated and misunderstood as they live with symptoms like anxiety, mood swings, hypersensitivity, sleep disturbances, and even worsened ADHD. We discuss how fluctuating hormones impact mental and physical health, why these changes often go unnoticed, and the importance of raising awareness so we can provide better support, promote open conversations, and empower women to seek the care they deserve during this significant life transition.
Key Takeaways:
1. Understanding Perimenopause:
- Perimenopause is the transition period before menopause characterised by fluctuating hormone levels.
- Hormonal changes can lead to physical, emotional, and mental health challenges.
2. The Invisibility of Perimenopause:
- Despite affecting nearly half the population, perimenopause remains an under-discussed topic, leading to a lack of awareness and support.
- Stigma around women's health issues and aging contributes to this silence, leaving many women feeling isolated and misunderstood.
3. Mental Health Impact:
- Perimenopause can trigger or worsen symptoms of anxiety, depression, hypersensitivity, PTSD, and substance abuse.
- Symptoms can disrupt everyday life, affect work performance, and strain relationships.
4. ADHD and Perimenopause:
- Women with ADHD may notice a worsening of symptoms during perimenopause due to hormonal shifts.
- Decreasing estrogen levels affect neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, intensifying ADHD symptoms such as forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, impulsivity, and mood swings.
5. Challenges in the Healthcare System:
- Many healthcare providers may not consider hormones when treating mental health symptoms, leading to mismanagement and inappropriate treatment.
- There is a need for greater awareness and education on the connection between hormonal health and mental wellbeing.
6. Comprehensive Care and Support:
- Effective management of perimenopausal symptoms requires an integrated approach that addresses physical, mental, and hormonal health.
- Women could benefit from lifestyle changes, hormone replacement therapy, therapy and support groups, and medication when needed.
Research article: Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. (2024). The impact of perimenopause on women’s mental health. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com
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Psychology services - www.rewiredpsychology.com.au
Previous Intro and Outro music: Inspirational Acoustic - Organic Harmony by Sonican; and Andrii Poradovskyi from Pixabay. Current music: levgen Poltavskyi from Pixabay.
Disclaimer: This content is general in nature and intended for educational purposes only. It is not deemed as psychological treatment and does not replace the advice from your health professional or need for psychological treatment.