| | | | There’s one stat I can’t stop thinking about: nearly two-thirds of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease are women, yet, according to a recent survey, 32% of women think it affects both sexes equally.
That’s just one of the many insights from a new Cleveland Clinic survey of over 2,100 U.S. women. Released in May as part of National Women’s Health Awareness Month, the findings shine a bright light on something we talk about often here at Flow Space: the knowledge gaps, care barriers and research blind spots that continue to undermine midlife women’s health.
Here’s what else stood out. A full 62% of women didn’t realize that heart disease affects men and women at similar rates—even though it’s the leading cause of death for both. And when it comes to strokes? A third of women believe the risks are equal, despite cerebrovascular accidents being more common—and more fatal—in women.
The good news? Women are eager to change the narrative. More than half of survey respondents said they’re open to joining clinical trials—especially ones focused on women’s health. That level of engagement is not just encouraging; it’s essential. Because without research that centers our experiences, the care we need will remain out of reach.
In just over a year, the Cleveland Clinic’s newly launched Women’s Comprehensive Health and Research Center has already served more than 8,600 women—proof that when care is designed with women’s needs in mind, we show up. And we thrive.
This is your gentle reminder that midlife is not a medical mystery. It’s a critical window for preventive care, hormonal support and personalized health strategies. Let’s keep pushing for better information, more research and health systems that actually serve us.
Because the more we know, the more power we have to advocate for ourselves—and for each other. |
| Sophie Grégoire Trudeau on Healing, Growth and the Power of Presence Sophie Grégoire Trudeau has spent much of her life in the spotlight—first as a prominent Canadian TV reporter and radio personality, then later as the wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. But in her latest role as an author and advocate for mental and emotional wellbeing, she’s turning that lens inward.
Her 2024 book, Closer Together: Knowing Ourselves, Loving Each Other —which was released only a year after a very public split from the politician after 18 years of marriage—is part memoir, part manifesto and fully grounded in the science of self-awareness and human connection.
With insights from leading psychologists, reflections on her personal battles—including an eating disorder in her teens—and a deep belief in the transformative power of emotional literacy, Sophie is helping women see themselves more clearly and love themselves more fiercely.
Her message is especially timely in a moment when so many midlife women are reevaluating not just who they are, but who they want to become. |
What was the biggest surprise to you in writing the book? The biggest surprise to me in writing the book was to discover that the most unhappy human beings on earth are the ones who cannot trust in others. It was a validating surprise; it confirmed my intuition. .
What gave you hope after you finished the book? The fact that no human being is fixed in their personality. Neuroplasticity is about a growth mindset, and the more you understand what’s happening in your body before your emotions arrive—before you get angry, before you get sad—and you notice, and you catch, pause and repair, you can become somebody that you didn’t think you could become. Growth is possible in all aspects of your life.
If there was one thing you wanted women to take away from your book, what would that be? The one thing I want all women to carry with them is: Know yourself. Know yourself, know yourself, know yourself. When you know yourself and you understand why you feel the way you feel and why you react the way you react, then you can create your life and your environment with things, with people and with circumstances that nourish you and push your growth forward.
How do you find flow in your life—that moment, or ability, to be fully immersed and present in the moment? In many ways! I love to write poetry. I love to play music. I love to dance. I love to let go. I love to pull pranks. I love to be mischievous. I love to play. And all of these are states of being present. And since stress is a dysfunctional relationship with the present moment, I choose presence. I choose to look you in the eyes and stay long enough to feel safe.
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Unlocking the Secrets of Cognitive Function & Healthy Aging Starts Now Midlife may seem too early to start thinking about your brain health, but according to experts, it’s exactly the right time to start being proactive. As we age, hormonal shifts, stress, lifestyle choices and even our multitasking habits start to shape our cognitive function more than we realize. But the good news? There’s a lot we can do about it.
First, the basics: neurologists recommend five powerful habits to support brain health during perimenopause and beyond. These include regular exercise (even just five minutes a day!), prioritizing social and intellectual engagement, getting proper health screenings, treating sleep apnea and—somewhat surprisingly—getting a shingles vaccine. Studies published in Nature and other peer-reviewed journals suggest that shingles vaccination may be associated with a lower risk of dementia later in life, due to its protective effects on the nervous system.
Equally important is cutting out something many midlife women experience daily: chronic multitasking. While it may feel like a survival skill, research shows that toggling between tasks can impair memory, focus and even change the brain’s structure over time. Experts say it's not about eliminating multitasking entirely, but learning how to reclaim attention and support cognitive resilience. Tools like mindfulness, time-blocking and digital hygiene—along with short recovery breaks throughout the day—can significantly improve brain performance and emotional balance.
And here’s something you might not expect: while there’s lots of noise around AI tools and dementia diagnosis, your next eye exam might offer the earliest insight into your brain’s health.
According to neuro-ophthalmologists, the retina is a direct extension of the central nervous system, and new studies show that changes in retinal cells and tear fluid could serve as early biomarkers of Alzheimer’s and other neurological conditions. While these diagnostic tools are still in development, they underscore the profound link between eye and brain health. That’s why protecting your vision—by managing screen time, wearing UV-protective sunglasses and maintaining a nutrient-rich, eye-friendly diet—can also help protect your brain.
Together, these findings remind us that the path to better cognitive health isn’t just about what’s happening in our heads—it’s about how we care for our whole selves, from our immune system and our vision to our habits and our hormones. |
READING The Dry Season: A Memoir of Pleasure in a Year Without Sex by bestselling author Melissa Febos—a gorgeously written deep-dive into solitude, sensuality and self-knowledge. This isn’t a story about abstaining, but about awakening: Febos reclaims her desire, examines feminist icons and reminds us that pleasure doesn’t require a partner.
WATCHING the latest season of And Just Like That… on Max and breathing a blow-dried sigh of relief that Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte have gracefully sidestepped the perimenopausal pixie cut mandate. Midlife hair drama? Not in this city.
SUBSCRIBING to the recently launched Her Long Game newsletter from Roma van der Walt, CEO of women’s health intelligence platform Vitelle, sport scientist, women’s health expert and a former pro athlete. Every two weeks, Roma examines the intersection of female longevity, health and performance optimization and delivers it straight into your inbox.
SAYING “yes” to another cup of coffee—and calling it a longevity strategy. New research links your daily brew to healthier aging—so keep sipping, knowing it’s not just fueling your day, it might be supporting your future too. |
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Don't Miss Out—RSVP Now! Join Flow Space on Tuesday, June 24, in New York City as Flow Space celebrates the book launch of Midlife Private Parts: Revealing Essays That Will Change the Way You Think About Age with authors Dina Alvarez and Dina Aronson.
The two will be joined by Julie Flakstad, founder and host of the Midlife Truth Project, and Flow Space's editor-in-chief Galina Espinoza for a night of conversation celebrating the unfiltered, revealing and often funny stories of midlife! Sign up to attend HERE!
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