Your 3pm cravings aren’t about willpower. They’re messages from your body — and they’re louder in perimenopause.

If chocolate, chips, coffee or wine feel like the only thing getting you through the afternoon, this episode is for you.

So what’s really going on at 3pm?

It’s not a lack of discipline. It’s a biological (and emotional) response to hormone shifts, blood sugar drops, low dopamine, and overstimulation. In this episode, I walk you through the real drivers of perimenopause cravings — and how to gently change the pattern without guilt, restriction, or giving up the things you love.

Here’s what you’ll learn (and why it matters):

• Why your blood sugar crashes harder in perimenopause — and how to avoid the crash-and-crave cycle
• How fluctuating estrogen, progesterone and neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin affect your mood, motivation, and cravings
• What the “monkey mind” is, and why it hijacks your 3pm choices
• How emotional buffering and autopilot patterns get wired in — and how to gently rewire them
• What actually helps: from stabilising meals to building daily joy (yes, joy is part of the strategy!)

Sneak peek:

“It is not like it is in your head, it's not a lack of willpower. It's actually your biochemistry, your neurochemistry, the way you're wired is driving you to that.”

Links & resources mentioned in this episode:

• Blog: The Real Reasons You’re Craving Chocolate, Chips, Coffee or Wine
• Free Training: The 4 Hormone Shifts You Can't Ignore

Send us a question for the FAQs segment or your feedback, we’d love to hear from you.

Find out more about Sarah, her services and the Freebies mentioned in this episode at https://www.ThePerimenopauseNaturopath.com.au

• The Perimenopause Decoder is the ultimate guide to understanding if perimenopause hormone fluctuations are behind your changing mood, metabolism and energy after 40, what phase of perimenopause you're in, and how much longer you may be on this roller coaster for.
• For more, follow on Instagram at @theperimenopausenaturopath.

WORK WITH SARAH THE PERIMENOPAUSE NATUROPATH:

• PerimenoGO (because who wants to pause anyway?!) A self-guided program to help you reverse weight gain, boost energy, and reclaim your mood — without extreme diets or cutting carbs. Perfect for women who want a realistic plan that fits around kids, work, and actual life.
• The Chaos to Calm Method: A 1:1 personalised program for women who want a more personalised plan and support — especially if you’ve got 10kg+ to lose, other health issues, or feel like your body’s just stuck. Includes comprehensive blood testing and analysis, Metabolic Balance ...

You’re not lazy — and it’s not just “life.” There are real biological reasons you're still exhausted, even after a full night’s sleep.

If you’re waking up tired every day and wondering what’s going on, this episode is going to connect the dots for you.

Key Takeaways:

• Why your exhaustion isn’t just about sleep quantity — but quality, hormones, and motivation too
• The hidden impact of blood sugar crashes, gut issues, and inflammation on your energy levels
• How to figure out what’s really draining your energy — and the first step to changing it

This episode is your permission slip to stop blaming yourself — and start asking better questions about what your body needs. We explore why so many women in their 40s feel completely wiped out, even when they’re technically doing everything right.

You’ll learn how hormonal fluctuations, disrupted cortisol patterns, nutrient deficiencies, and gut dysfunction all interact — and more importantly, how to begin untangling it.

And if you’re ready to stop pushing through the fog and start feeling more like yourself again, you’ll hear how to uncover the real reason behind your fatigue.

SNEAK PEEK:

"That flat, heavy feeling? It’s not always a lack of physical energy — sometimes it’s a lack of motivation, thanks to low dopamine.”

So if you're tired of being tired — and sick of being told it's just stress, age, or being a busy mum — this episode is for you.

Tap play and let’s get you one step closer to clearer mornings, better sleep, and more energy.

Links & resources mentioned in the episode:

• Free 4 Hormones Training – understand your perimenopause hormone shifts
• PerimenoGO
• Thyroid Blog – Understanding thyroid in perimenopause
• Cholesterol Blog

Send us a question for the FAQs segment or your feedback, we’d love to hear from you.

Find out more about Sarah, her services and the Freebies mentioned in this episode at https://www.ThePerimenopauseNaturopath.com.au

• The Perimenopause Decoder is the ultimate guide to understanding if perimenopause hormone fluctuations are behind your changing mood, metabolism and energy after 40, what phase of perimenopause you're in, and how much longer you may be on this roller coaster for.
• For more, follow on Instagram at @theperimenopausenaturopath.

WORK WITH SARAH THE PERIMENOPAUSE NATUROPATH:

• PerimenoGO (because who wants to pause anyway?!) A self-guided program to help you reverse weight gain, boost energy, and reclaim your mood — without extreme diets or cutting carbs. Perfect for women who want a realistic plan that fits around kids, work, and actual life.
• The Chaos to Calm Method: A 1:1 personalised program for women who want a more personalised plan and support — especially if you’ve got 10kg+ to lose, other health issues, or feel like your body’s just stuck. Includes comprehensive blood testing and analysis, Metabolic Balance ...

Feeling like a stranger in your own body lately?

It’s not just "getting older" — and it’s definitely not "all in your head."

In this episode, I’m breaking down what’s really happening inside your body during perimenopause. We’ll talk about why it’s not just about your hormones dropping, but about the chaos and flux happening behind the scenes. You'll learn how your metabolism, mood, and body are changing, even when you feel like you’re doing “all the right things.” And I’ll explain why calories and cardio aren’t cutting it anymore — and what your body actually needs now.

Key Takeaways:

• The hormone shifts that cause more chaos (not just decline) in perimenopause
• Why your body’s ability to adapt is the real game-changer
• A high-level strategy to help you downgrade the hormonal rollercoaster without overhauling your whole life

Sneak Peek:

“You’re not broken. You’re in the messy middle — and with the right support, you can help your body adapt, thrive, and feel good again.”

Links and resources mentioned in the episode:

• Episode 3: The estrogen roller coaster
• Episode 81: Estrogen excess
• Episode 4: The progesterone decline
• Episode 67: The appetite hormones messing with your hunger
• Episode 53: Insulin’s role in perimenopause
• Episode 42: Cortisol
• Learn more about

Send us a question for the FAQs segment or your feedback, we’d love to hear from you.

Find out more about Sarah, her services and the Freebies mentioned in this episode at https://www.ThePerimenopauseNaturopath.com.au

• The Perimenopause Decoder is the ultimate guide to understanding if perimenopause hormone fluctuations are behind your changing mood, metabolism and energy after 40, what phase of perimenopause you're in, and how much longer you may be on this roller coaster for.
• For more, follow on Instagram at @theperimenopausenaturopath.

WORK WITH SARAH THE PERIMENOPAUSE NATUROPATH:

• PerimenoGO (because who wants to pause anyway?!) A self-guided program to help you reverse weight gain, boost energy, and reclaim your mood — without extreme diets or cutting carbs. Perfect for women who want a realistic plan that fits around kids, work, and actual life.
• The Chaos to Calm Method: A 1:1 personalised program for women who want a more personalised plan and support — especially if you’ve got 10kg+ to lose, other health issues, or feel like your body’s just stuck. Includes comprehensive blood testing and analysis, Metabolic Balance ...