Balancing the overwhelm of family, work, and midlife symptoms, all while just trying to feel like yourself again? You’re NOT alone.  In today’s episode, we explore stress as the silent disruptor of midlife—and why it can amplify so many of the symptoms you experience during perimenopause.  We go beyond surface-level stress management and dive into how chronic stress impacts your nervous system, hormones, and overall wellness.  We also highlight the often-overlooked power of connection and community, reframing them as a force multiplier for healing during this phase of life.  You’ll learn simple, practical tools you can start using today to calm your nervous system and navigate overwhelming days with more ease and resilience.  Ready to feel in control again? Tune in here to soften the stress and show up as your best self!  IN THIS EPISODE What makes stress so silent in perimenopause?  The biology of trauma and how unresolved trauma can show up as midlife symptoms  How connection and community enhance your longevity Forming meaningful relationships and cultivating a sisterhood Simple and practical tools to build community connection Recognizing triggers and learning ways to ease your nervous system Exploring the benefits of breathing techniques, movement, natural light, sleep, and quality connections  QUOTES “When you're under constant stress, which most of us are, this system gets stuck in the on position. And during perimenopause, we know that cortisol levels are often elevated, making every symptom feel worse.” “The effects of loneliness and social isolation have been compared to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Loneliness increases your risk of premature death by 26%, heart disease by 29%, and stroke by 32%.” “When you heal your relationship with stress and build meaningful connections, you're not just helping yourself. You are modeling for your children what it looks like to prioritize mental health and community. You're also contributing to a larger global shift in how we talk about menopause, and how we talk about resilience.” RESOURCES MENTIONED 👉🏻 Use code ENERGIZED and get 10% off on your Troscription Order ⛓️‍💥 http://troscriptions.com/ENERGIZED 👉🏻 Join my Midlife on Fire Collective HERE! ⛓️‍💥 https://go2.drmariza.com/midlife-on-fire/ 👉🏻 Join my 7- Day Metabolism and Hormone Jumpstart HERE! ⛓️‍💥 https://go.drmariza.com/lp/metabolism-jumpstart/ 👉🏻 Order my latest book: The Perimenopause Revolution HERE ⛓️‍💥 https://peri-revolution.com/ RELATED EPISODES  722: Why Women Feel Unsafe Right Now: Trauma, Hormones & Protecting the Next Generation with Dr. Aimie Apigian 726: The Midlife Mood Shift: The Hormonal Rewire That Changes Everything with Dr. Sonya Jensen 720: Why No One Talks About Loneliness in Midlife—And Why It’s Not Just You 717: “I Don’t Feel Like Myself Anymore”: The Mental & Emotional Reality of Perimenopause #612: That Sucked. Now What? How to Navigate Health, Identity, and Life Transitions with Dr. Neeta Nawalkha