Hello, my friend!
As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, I've been feeling something shift–not just in the weather, but in my body. Maybe you've noticed it too? That pull toward slower mornings, earlier bedtimes, and a deep craving for quiet.
It's not laziness. It's reality.
In Chinese Medicine, this is when we honor our yin energy–the calm, restorative force that balances all the bright, buzzing yang of summer. And honestly? Maturing women need this energy more than ever. If you've been feeling the call to rest, to slow down, to nourish yourself more deeply, your body isn't betraying you. It's guiding you.
Let's talk about what that looks like—and why saying yes to rest is one of the most radical acts of self-care you can practice.
👇 In today's email:
- This week's inspiration: Get some rest — you deserve it
- Latest blog post: The Sleep Edit: Simple Rituals for Better Rest
- What I ate: I've loved every bite. But now, honestly, my belly hurts.
The Gift of Rest (And Why Your Body Is Asking for It) 💤
This is the time of year to nourish our yin energy. It's the quiet, introspective, replenishing energy that is the opposite of the exuberant yang of summer. This is when our bodies naturally crave more rest—and honestly, it gets harder and harder to leap out of bed before sunrise. That's not a flaw. That's nature speaking.
But here's what I want you to know: there's another layer of seasonality at play. If you're in perimenopause or menopause, you're navigating a profound yin deficiency. The calm, cooling, restorative energy that once came easily? It's in shorter supply now. And that's why so many of us feel inflammation flare, irritability spike, hot flashes surge, and nights stretch long with restless wakefulness.
The Double Need for Yin
You need yin energy in this season of the year. And you need it in this season of life.
Resting isn't antisocial. It's not lazy. It's a declaration of self-respect. It's how you rebuild the reserves you've been drawing on for decades. It's how you cool the internal fire and restore balance to your nervous system.
So if your body is asking for more rest right now, listen. Give yourself permission to pull back, to soften your schedule, to say no to things that drain you. This is how you prepare to thrive—not just survive—this season and beyond.
The Sleep Edit: Simple Rituals for Better Rest
The best way to increase our yin is to sleep—but for most of us, that's easier said than done.
If you're struggling with sleep (or you know someone who is), I've just published a comprehensive guide to creating a sleep sanctuary that works with your body, not against it. This isn't about generic tips you've heard a thousand times. It's about understanding the why behind your sleep struggles and giving you evidence-based, Chinese Medicine-informed strategies to reclaim your rest.
In this post, you'll discover:
- How perimenopause and menopause disrupt sleep (and what you can do about it)
- The role of yin deficiency in night sweats and insomnia
- Simple evening rituals that calm your nervous system
- Foods and herbs that support deeper, more restorative sleep
Yes, you can improve your sleep—even if it feels impossible right now.
Read the full Sleep Edit here →
I've loved every bite. But now, honestly, my belly hurts.
I've been living my best life these past few weekends—excursions to Provincetown, Manhattan, the Hudson Valley, and the Berkshires. Every moment has been delicious, and I mean that literally: apple galettes, bananas foster, venison, oysters, pulled pork, huevos rancheros with homemade tortillas, bagels and cream cheese. I've loved every bite.
But now? My belly hurts.
Not in a punishing, shameful way. Just in that very human, "I need to recalibrate" way. So I'm doing what I always tell my patients to do: I'm listening to my body and giving it what it needs.
The Reset
In the coming days, I'm scaling back to vegetables–local, seasonal, and simply prepared. This isn't a fast or some puritanical act of self-flagellation. It's a reset to give my digestive system a chance to breathe.
Yesterday, after a swim in the ocean, I stopped at a local farm and picked up a kabocha squash and a head of yellow cauliflower. I steamed both for 10 minutes, then doused them with:
- Fabulous olive oil (a Fancy Food Award winner)
- French butter (because life is short and butter is joy)
- Maldon salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- The juice of a fresh lemon
It was simple. It was delicious. And it felt like exactly what my body was asking for.
I think I'll stick with this for a couple of days—enjoying the local produce, the simplicity, the way my belly softens and says, "Yes, thank you."
The Takeaway
You don't have to choose between enjoying life and caring for your body. You can savor every bite and honor your need to reset. Balance is about flexibility–not perfection, not rigid rules, but a loving, responsive relationship with yourself.
I'm cheering for you,
Dr. Catherine