October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, a time dedicated to honoring babies who died during pregnancy or infancy, recognizing the families who carry their memories, and increasing understanding of a form of grief that has too often been experienced in silence.

Perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause. As hormone levels fluctuate, women may experience irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, disrupted sleep, low mood, anxiety, irritability, and changes in memory or concentration. The experience is different for every woman, and symptoms can shift over time.

The nervous system continually gathers information, interprets what is happening around you and coordinates your response. It influences your thoughts and emotions, but it also affects physical processes such as breathing, heart rate, digestion, movement and sleep. Understanding how the nervous system works can help you recognize why your body responds the way it does, and how you can gently help it return to a greater sense of safety and balance.