Alea Asks: Navigating Perimenopause: Your Modern Guide to the "Second Spring" — Interview with Christine Deschemin

As the conversation around women’s longevity evolves, we are seeing a beautiful shift in how we approach the transition into menopause moving away from "managing symptoms" toward embracing a "Second Spring" of vitality.

We spoke with Christine Deschemin, a certified clinical hypnotherapist, to discuss how a blend of mind-body techniques and modern science can help women navigate perimenopause with confidence and calm. Here is her expert guide to reclaiming your energy and balance during this transformative phase.

Alea extends a heartfelt thank you to Christine Deschemin for her insights into the mental and emotional landscape of women's health. You can explore her work in hypnotherapy and stress management here.

The Change You Didn’t See Coming: A Modern Guide to the “Second Spring”

For many women, menopause doesn’t arrive with a clear announcement. Your periods change, your sleep goes off track, you feel “not quite yourself” and it can be hard to connect all the dots. At the same time, you are likely in the busiest years of your life: working, caring for family, and perhaps supporting ageing parents and growing children all at once.

As CEO of UpNow Health and creator of EverCalm Menopause, I spend my days listening to women in exactly this situation. This guide is for you: clear, practical, and focused on what actually helps.

What is really happening?

Menopause is a natural life stage, not a disease. It usually happens between 45 and 55 and is confirmed when you have gone 12 months without a period. The years before that when your periods are changing and symptoms appear are called perimenopause.

Common experiences include:

• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Trouble falling or staying asleep
• Feeling more anxious, irritable, or low
• Brain fog: difficulty concentrating, forgetting what you were about to say
• Aches, pains, fatigue, or feeling “slowed down”
• Vaginal dryness or discomfort during sex

None of these symptoms mean you are weak or “losing it.” They are linked to real hormonal changes. However, how you sleep, move, work, and cope with stress can make those symptoms better or worse over time.

Why this stage matters more than you think

Many women try to just “push through” menopause. They may feel embarrassed, not want to complain, or worry they will be judged at work. But ignoring symptoms can come at a cost:

• At work: Poor sleep, hot flashes, and brain fog can make it harder to focus, lead meetings, or handle pressure. Some women quietly step back from promotions because they no longer feel confident.
• At home: Irritability, low mood, and tiredness can strain relationships. You might find you have less patience with loved ones, even though you care deeply.
• For long-term health: Menopause is a turning point for bone, heart, and metabolic health. How you look after yourself now can influence the decades ahead.

Recognising menopause for what it is—a major life transition is the first step to taking back control.

What can actually help?

There is no single “right” way to manage menopause. The best plan is the one that fits your body, your medical history, and your values.

1. Medical treatment

Some women benefit from hormone therapy, which can reduce hot flashes and protect bone health when used appropriately. Others use non-hormonal medications if hormone therapy is not suitable for them. These decisions should always be made with a healthcare professional who understands menopause.

2. Everyday foundations

Even though it may sound basic, the following can make a real difference:

• Moving your body regularly (even brisk walking)
• Keeping alcohol and smoking in check
• Paying attention to sleep routines: regular bedtimes, less screen time, and a cool, dark bedroom
• Sharing what you are going through with at least one trusted person

3. Mind-body tools: Training your nervous system

Alongside medical options and lifestyle changes, mind-body therapies focus on the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. They help you:

• Turn down the volume on hot flashes
• Ease anxiety and improve mood
• Sleep more deeply and feel more in control

Clinical hypnosis is a structured use of focused attention and imagery that can help your mind and body respond differently to triggers. Unlike other therapies, it may specifically reduce hot flash symptoms and improve sleep. Cognitive-behavioural approaches help you notice unhelpful thought patterns and build practical habits that support emotional balance.

Where digital support like EverCalm Menopause comes in

At UpNow Health, we specialise in turning these mind-body methods into practical programmes that fit into real life. EverCalm Menopause was created for women who want structured support but may not have easy access to specialist clinics. It is designed to help you:

• Understand what is happening in your body in plain language.
• Practise guided relaxation and hypnosis-informed sessions.
• Learn small, realistic changes instead of an impossible list.
• Build a sense of agency: “There is something I can do,” even on difficult days.

Note: It is not a replacement for seeing your doctor and does not give diagnoses.

Turning the “change” into your second spring

If you recognise yourself in any of this, you are not alone. Menopause is a big change that deserves more than a shrug and a fan. You deserve clear information, healthcare that takes you seriously, and practical tools to feel like yourself again.

In some cultures, menopause is called the “second spring” a time to grow into a new chapter with wisdom and strength. With the right support, this stage can be less about loss and more about redesigning your life for the next decades.

If you are starting to notice changes, consider this your sign to pause, get informed, and explore your options. Your future self will thank you.