Hey Rebel,
You ever have one of those weeks where your body stages a full-on rebellion?
Because mine just did. 😅
I just went 36 hours without sleep.
Not because I was on a caffeine bender or deep in work but because my hormones said, “Oh, you thought you were in control? Cute.”
The truth is, even hormone specialists get it wrong sometimes.
I could feel it coming: the racing thoughts, the wired-but-tired energy, the edge of burnout I swore I was managing.
Then, BOOM, cortisol took the wheel, and I was wide awake convincing myself it wasn't a big deal.
Spoiler: my body wasn’t buying it.
I shared this reel on my socials today because I think it is important that you know that I am going through it with you. I knew I made some poor decisions that were going to lead to this, and I wasn't wrong. That is powerful though, because that means I am starting to identify what went wrong, what it led to, and how I respond!
Give it a watch. It is less than 2 minutes!
The Real Resting Witch Face
You know that tired, tight, don’t mess with me look in the mirror?
That’s not attitude. We call that adrenal exhaustion showing up on your face.
When cortisol stays high, your body borrows from progesterone just to keep you running.
Your skin loses its glow, your muscles stay tense, your face holds stress like a secret.
And after 36 hours of no sleep, my reflection looked like a witch who needed an exorcism and a nap. 🧙♀️
How I Hit Reset
I didn’t fix it overnight (pun intended), but I did change the approach.
I have stopped punishing myself for knowing better and started giving my body proof it was safe again:
- Rest before results. Naps, early bedtimes, saying no to should have, could have, would have.
- Work in sprints. 90 minutes on, 20 minutes off because my brain can’t outsmart biology.
- Compassion over control. No guilt, no hustle! Intentional time spent reminding my body about safety, softness, and steady fuel.
Because you can’t heal in survival mode. You have to show your body it’s okay to slow down.
Because I want to set the example of giving ourselves grace, I am going to go ahead and share Thursday's recipe and not worry about sending an email on Thursday.
This Week’s Recipe: Chamomile Latte with Pumpkin Seeds
Because sometimes rest starts with a mug, not a mantra.
Why it works:
- Chamomile lowers cortisol and signals calm.
- Pumpkin seeds bring magnesium + zinc for progesterone support.
- Warm milk or plant milk stabilizes blood sugar overnight.
Real-Life Rest When Life Won’t Slow Down
Not everyone gets to schedule naps, cancel plans, or go off-grid when their hormones revolt.
Here are a few ways to help your body feel safe even when your schedule isn’t.
Micro-rest moments count
- Close your eyes for 30 seconds between meetings.
- Take 3 slow exhales before you open another email.
- You’re teaching your body that calm is available even in motion.
Caffeine cutoff compromise
- If you can’t quit caffeine, shift it earlier in the day (before 11 a.m.).
- Pair every cup with a snack that has protein + fat (like almonds or a boiled egg) to blunt the cortisol spike.
Turn your commute into decompression
- Skip the news or true crime.
- Listen to soft music, silence, or something funny - anything that tells your body “we’re heading home, not into battle.”
Create a bedtime buffer (even 10 minutes)
- No scrolling, no planning, no replays of the day.
- Light a candle, sip your chamomile latte, stretch, breathe.
- This tiny ritual cues safety faster than any supplement.
Fuel like you mean it.
- Give your body predictable meals.
- Even if all you can manage is a protein bar or leftovers in the car, consistency tells your nervous system that you are okay.
The Transformation + What's Coming in November
This month was about seeing what happens when we live haunted (by stress, by expectations, by our own biology on overdrive.).
But here’s the magic: awareness changes everything.
October was about noticing the ghosts; the cortisol spikes, cravings, sleepless nights.
November is about calling your energy home.
We’re shifting from haunted to harmonious and frantic to found.
Next month, I’m bringing you Grateful, Grounded & Glowing:
four weeks of real-talk tips, gentle resets, and a few sparkly reminders that your body is still rooting for you.
Think cozy routines, hormone-friendly comfort foods, and short videos that blend a little science with a lot of soul.
Because your hormones don’t need more rules. Your hormones need rhythm, warmth, and proof that you’re on your own side. 💕
So exhale, Rebel. You made it through Haunted Hormones! Now let’s find your glow.
I’d love to know about you! When your body’s asking for rest, what’s the first sign it gives you?
Hit reply and tell me! I read every one. 💌
Stay Loud. Raise Hell! - Even Through the Holidays!
Tracey
That Hormone Girl
P.S. My collective space, The UNregulated Space, is open and for women who are tired, pissed off, and finally ready to raise a little hell. If you’ve been looking for a space to support your hormones and meet other women like you, you can sign up for $47/month (find the link to the space in the black bar at the top of the email.).
