There’s a jar of chia seeds sitting on my kitchen worktop right now.

It’s there because these tiny seeds have genuinely made a difference to how I feel - particularly my digestion and energy levels.

And the best bit? They require basically zero effort.

Here’s what shocked me most about that conversation: not one of them had connected their symptoms to perimenopause.

Not their GPs. Not their friends. Not Dr Google.

They thought perimenopause was hot flushes and missed periods. Maybe some mood swings.

Nobody told them about the anxiety. The joint pain. The 3am wake-ups. The inexplicable fear of everyday activities.

And this is the problem with perimenopause: we’re told to expect certain symptoms, so when we get completely different ones, we don’t make the connection.

Every January, the same thing happens.

Calorie counting apps top the download charts. Diet programmes promising “simple maths” flood your social media. Everyone’s suddenly weighing portions and checking labels.

But here’s what no one’s telling you: calorie counting is based on faulty science.

Not just ineffective. Not just difficult to maintain. Fundamentally flawed from the start. Let me explain….

Considering or already taking GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro for weight loss? Instagram influencers and food companies want to sell you "GLP-1 friendly" products and expensive supplements, but your body needs something different. When your appetite is suppressed, proper nutrition becomes more critical than ever, not less. This comprehensive guide explains what to actually eat on GLP-1 medications, how to get enough protein without ultra-processed bars, why fibre is crucial for digestive health, which supplements are genuinely helpful, and how to nourish your body during weight loss. Get practical, evidence-based advice- no biohacker nonsense, just real food strategies that work.

It’s meant to be “the most wonderful time of the year.”

So why does it feel like you’re one burnt mince pie away from a complete meltdown?

Last week, I found myself standing in the middle of M&S on a Saturday afternoon, surrounded by panic-buying Christmas shoppers, feeling my chest tighten and my patience evaporate.

Over wrapping paper.

This is ridiculous, I thought. It’s just Christmas. Why am I so stressed?

But here’s the thing: I’m not alone. Research shows that a third of women feel more stressed in December than any other month of the year.

Feeling exhausted despite sleeping? Hot flushes getting worse? Brain fog that won't shift? You've probably blamed perimenopause. And you're not wrong.

But what if I told you that the air freshener in your bathroom, the plastic container you microwaved your lunch in, and the "clean cotton" scented cleaning spray under your sink are all making your symptoms worse?