Why Rest is Your Superpower—Seasonal & Life-Stage Wisdom from TCM

Hi wonderful souls! As the seasons shift (and your energy might feel a bit “off” these days), let’s chat about the underrated superstar of wellness: rest. Not just the sofa-surfing kind—though those snuggly afternoons count—but deep, nourishing rest that honours TCM principles, your cortisol levels, and the phase of life you're in.

Whether you're in your 20s and 30s, navigating the perimenopause rollercoaster, or settling into post-menopause, the right kind of rest can be transformative.

In Your 20s & 30s: Building Elasticity (and Plateaus!)

You’re full of go-go-go passion right now—but even rockets need fuel and a countdown. In TCM, this is your Spleen Qi phase: you're absorbing nutrients, digesting ideas, building your dreams. But modern life loves tossing stress your way—and cortisol loves company.

Studies show abrupt stress (like skipping breakfast, doom-scrolling, or fad fasting) fires up cortisol spikes that hurt mood, immunity, and energy—especially before you’ve even left the house vogue.com+1thetimes.co.uk+1.

TCM Tip: Schedule “quiet Qi” moments—a 5-minute breathing break mid-morning, or grounding in nature—to support your digestion and keep cortisol from blasting your Spleen.

Peri-Menopause: When Yin Meets the Yoyo

Perimenopause is a hormonal teeter-totter. You might feel powerful one day, and struggle the next. TCM calls this an imbalance of Yin and Yang—and the cortisol circus doesn’t help.

Stacy Sims reminds us that fasting or training without proper fuel during sensitive phases can send us into a catabolic, stress-heavy state—weak on muscle, big on fatigue . That cortisol parade continues without rest breaks.

TCM Tip: Lean into your inner “Nurture Phase” (Day 20 onwards if you're cycling). This is your moment to sip bone broth, soften your yoga flow, enjoy gentle walks, and prioritise bedtime before Netflix temptation strikes.

Menopause & Beyond: Protecting Your Precious Yin

Once true menopause arrives, it's all about preserving your Kidney Yin and Essence—your body’s "deep rest" capital. Chronic stress and high cortisol can erode muscle, bone, and mental clarity .

But cortisol isn’t an enemy—it’s a useful ally when managed with balance. Stacy Sims reminds us that high-intensity workouts do raise cortisol temporarily—but only when carefully placed, not every morning like clockwork instagram.com+11drstacysims.com+11linkedin.com+11.

TCM Tip: Think "nourishing Yin" rest—revitalising baths, restorative yoga, afternoon tea rituals, or even a mid-day cocoon if your schedule allows. It’s not lazy—it’s strategic resilience.

Stress, Cortisol & Real-World Rest Tactics

Let’s break this down when it matters most:

1. Don’t skip breakfast – Eating within 90 minutes of waking helps avoid cortisol rollercoasters drstacysims.com+1heysister.com+1thetimes.co.uk.

2. Morning rituals matter – Replace swipe-and-scroll with tea, journaling, or a grounding walk. Let nature do its slow, mindful reset .

3. Fast, feast, and flow in alignment – According to Dr. Mindy Pelz, fasts in the Power Phase can be helpful if balanced with Nurture Phase rest and recovery drmindypelz.com+8zerolongevity.com+8instagram.com+8.

4. Vary your exercise load – Following Stacy Sims, align workouts with your phase: power up with strength in your prime cycles; shift to restorative movement in Yin phases ai.hubermanlab.com+1instagram.com+1.

5. Build consistent downtime – TCM says even daily 5-minute rest windows (hands-on-abdomen breathing, eyes closed) can significantly regulate stress and anchor your Qi.

A Week of Balanced Living: Sample Plan

Day	Focus	TCM Soul-Boost
Mon	Morning protein + strength session	Spleen Qi support
Tue	Morning tea, afternoon walk	Deepens calm
Wed	HIIT or strength (if energy’s high)	Yang activation
Thu	Gentle stretching + nature break	Yin-nourish day
Fri	Fasting (if suited) + mobility work	Autophagy + rest
Sat	Free-style rest & fun activity	Qi revival
Sun	Bathe, rest, affirmations	Deep Essence replenishing

Final Thoughts

Rest isn’t optional—it’s honourable. Just like you wouldn’t run your car on empty, your body deserves intentional pauses to flourish across all stages. That’s how we build health that lasts, feels good, and shines from the inside out.

Need Help Restoring Your Rhythm?

Feeling tired, overwhelmed, or stuck in stress loops with perimenopause or menopause? Let’s co-create your path to calm, strength, and radiant balance. Book in at Balance.nz—we’ll nurture your Yin, rebuild your Qi, and make rest feel like the radical act it truly is. You’ve got this.