Wellness Wednesday Issue #120

📈 Level up your career with these professional development ideas that go beyond the basics.

⚖️ Is work-life balance overrated? What to focus on instead for a more sustainable life.

😓 Stuck in hustle mode? 8 signs you’re caught in toxic productivity.

🎁 Discover the secret to happy teams with the best employee gifting platforms.

It’s time to talk about perimenopause because, frankly, not enough people are.What Is It?

Perimenopause is that ‘glorious’ time when many women get to spend years wondering if we need a nap, are at risk of being arrested, or are simply short-circuiting from the inside out.

It can start as early as our mid-30s, usually kicks in during our 40s, and is jam-packed with hormonal changes that catch many of us completely off guard.

This feral phase of hormone imbalance can feel like we’re being Punk’d, which is why it’s so important to know what’s coming.

In-Your-Face Symptoms

🩸 Periods: Yay, your period becomes unpredictable! One month it’s MIA, the next it’s back with a vengeance. Stay vigilant.

💤 Sleep? If you find yourself wide awake at 3 a.m., mentally alphabetizing your spice rack, it may be because your estrogen and progesterone levels are fluctuating and disrupting your sleep.

🫨 Moods: Hormonal shifts during perimenopause can trigger anxiety, depression, and irritability (e.g. that little thing your partner does that used to just annoy you now launches you into DEFCON 1).

😶‍🌫️ Brain fog: You’re mid-sentence and suddenly forget what you were saying with no chance of “finding” it again. Possibly the most frustrating symptom that up to 62% of women experience during perimenopause.

🏋️‍♀️ Weight gain:  Even with a consistent diet and exercise plan, hormonal shifts slow down our metabolism, and less estrogen can mean more stubborn fat storage (especially around the belly). Oh joy!

Subtle, Sneaky Symptoms

• Joint pain: Waking up in pain for no apparent reason is actually the most common symptom, but the connection to perimenopause is often overlooked.
• Libido: Our desire for sex can slow down like we just saw a cop while driving 80 in a 55.
  • BONUS: Our natural lubrication that once seemed abundant is now a rare commodity and can make intercourse super painful.
• Hair loss/thinning: If you notice more hair landing on the shower wall, don’t panic—it’s just peri.
• Itchy skin: Reduced estrogen and natural collagen production can cause incessantly dry and itchy skin.
• Runny nose & migraines: This could explain why your seasonal Claritin isn’t cutting it—it may not be allergies.

Honestly, perimenopause is a wild ride, and many of its symptoms are grossly under-discussed and misdiagnosed.

You’re not going crazy.

You’re not weak.

Your body is shifting gears.

And knowing what’s happening gives you power.

Talk to your doctor. Talk to your girlfriends. Share your ‘weird’ symptoms. The more we talk about it, the less alone we all feel, and the better prepared we are to handle it.

Carri (TA Copywriter)

Perimenopause isn’t in your head—it’s in your hormones. And you deserve a provider who gets that.

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Layoffs suck. Whether they hit you unexpectedly or hover over your workplace like a storm cloud, the uncertainty they bring can make even the most grounded professionals feel anxious and unsettled.

With talk of a potential recession, funding freezes, and government budget cuts, many workers—especially in public sector roles—are starting to brace themselves for what might happen. And while none of us can predict the future, we can prepare for it.

Here’s how to manage both the fear of a layoff and the real possibility of one.

1. Start with your mindset

It’s easy to spiral into panic or worst-case thinking when the word “layoff” starts circulating. But panicking doesn’t protect you—preparation does. Remind yourself: your job is what you do, not who you are. If you’ve built value once, you can do it again.

Ground yourself in reality: Has your department seen budget shifts? Have there been hiring freezes? Leadership changes? Rumors don’t always equal risk, so assess the situation honestly—and act from a place of clarity, not fear.

2. Tighten up your finances

You don’t have to go full doomsday, but now’s a great time to revisit your budget. Cut non-essential spending, stash extra cash into your emergency fund, and look at areas where you can stretch your income. If a layoff were to happen tomorrow, what expenses would you pause? What monthly obligations would you need to cover?

Even small shifts now can make a big difference later.

3. Update your materials—even if you’re not leaving

Dust off your résumé, refresh your LinkedIn, and make sure your portfolio or work samples are ready to share. It’s not about jumping ship—it’s about being ready to pivot if the ship changes direction.

Bonus: you’ll likely feel more confident knowing that you’re not starting from scratch if the time comes.

4. Strengthen your network

Don’t wait until you’re out of work to start reaching out. Reconnect with past coworkers, attend virtual events, and schedule casual catch-ups with people in your industry. You don’t need to announce that you’re worried—just start reactivating relationships. Most job leads still come through people, not postings.

5. Start a career Plan B

Whether that’s exploring freelance work, building a side hustle, or upskilling through a course, give yourself something that puts you back in the driver’s seat. You don’t need to have it all figured out—but knowing you have options can reduce the anxiety of feeling trapped.

6. If the layoff actually happens…

You’re allowed to feel the gut-punch. But then? Get organized. Apply for unemployment immediately, ask about severance, gather any documents you’ll need, and tap your network. It’s okay to pause and process—but also remind yourself: this isn’t your ending. It’s just a plot twist.

Layoffs are hard—but you are not powerless. Whether you’re sensing turbulence or just want to be prepared, taking small, intentional steps now can help you feel steadier if and when things shift.

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🚀 A help desk that makes customer support easy and stress-free

• AddressHates is hiring for a Digital Marketing & Brand Strategist (New York, NY).
• EPM Scientific is hiring for an Associate Director, Medical Affairs (Fort Worth, TX).
• TransPerfect is hiring for a Senior Marketing Specialist (Chicago, IL).
• Altice USA  is hiring for a Direct Sales Representative (Bossier City, LA).
• Instrumental Inc is hiring for a  Journalist In Residence (Palo Alto, CA).

⭐ View more jobs here >

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