|
|
|
|
Lately, I’ve been hearing the same thing from just about everyone I talk to: “I’m exhausted—but I can’t figure out why.”
Not the kind of tiredness that comes from a bad night’s sleep or a packed schedule. The deeper kind—the one that lingers, even after a full eight hours. The kind that makes everyday tasks feel just a little bit harder.
And for women in midlife, this isn’t just anecdotal—it’s physiological.
As we move through perimenopause and menopause, shifting hormone levels—particularly estrogen and progesterone—can significantly impact sleep quality, energy levels and even how our bodies respond to stress. Add in the mental load so many women carry (careers, caregiving, households, relationships), and it’s no wonder this baseline exhaustion feels so persistent.
What’s tricky is that this kind of fatigue is often dismissed or normalized. We’re told it’s just part of getting older, or something we should push through. But new research—and a growing number of experts—are challenging that narrative, pointing instead to the complex interplay between hormones, metabolism and stress.
In other words: feeling this way isn’t something to ignore—it’s something to understand.
Because when we start to unpack what’s really happening in our bodies, we can shift from simply coping with fatigue to actually addressing it—through better sleep support, strength-building, nutrition and, when appropriate, targeted medical care.
The bottom line? This isn’t just about being tired. It’s about reclaiming energy in a phase of life where we’ve been told to expect less of it. |
|
Meet the Wellness Curator Helping Women Cut Through the NoiseIn a world where wellness advice is everywhere—new products, routines and “must-have” habits dropping daily—it can be hard to know what’s actually worth your time (and money). That’s exactly where Dria Murphy comes in.
As a wellness curator and the founder of by dria, Murphy has built a trusted space for women looking to simplify their routines and invest in what truly works. Known for her thoughtful approach and discerning eye, she goes beyond trends—testing products, refining rituals and prioritizing what actually supports a woman’s everyday life.
Her philosophy? Wellness doesn’t have to be overwhelming to be effective. In fact, the most impactful shifts are often the simplest—rooted in consistency, community and a deeper understanding of what your body actually needs.
Murphy recently spoke with Flow Space to share the clean swaps she swears by, how she filters out the noise in an oversaturated wellness space and why her definition of wellness has evolved to focus less on doing more—and more on feeling better. |
I feel like there are so many “clean” swaps out there right now—what’s one you swear by that people still aren’t doing?Clean lip products and mascara. Those are the two areas I’m really strict about because they’re going near your mouth and eyes every day. I feel like we think so much about skincare, but then forget about the products we’re literally ingesting or putting right near our eyes. My favorites are the Saie lip liner and Sarah Creal Mascara.
I’m also very into clean household products. What you use to clean your home matters so much. It's on your surfaces, you’re breathing it in and it becomes part of your environment. I love Biom wipes and L'AVANT Collective for cleaning products that actually work and also look chic enough to keep out.
How do you personally cut through all the wellness noise? Like, how do you know what’s actually worth it?
I truly test things before I recommend them. I’m not someone who tries something once and immediately says everyone needs it.
I usually test things for weeks, sometimes months, and pay attention to whether it actually fits into my life. Does it make me feel better? Does it make my routine easier? Do I keep reaching for it?
There is so much out there right now, and honestly my standards keep getting higher. I want things that are thoughtful, effective, and not overly complicated. The goal of my membership community by dria is really to filter the noise so you don’t have to. I want people to know what’s actually worth investing in, not just what’s trending.
Has your idea of “wellness” changed at all over time? Or does it still look the same for you?It has definitely changed. I used to think wellness meant doing more. More intense workouts, more plans, more things to optimize.
Now, it’s much more about feeling like myself. I care more about my nervous system, my sleep, digestion, slow mornings, low-impact movement and just not running myself into the ground.
I still love trying new things, but I always come back to the basics. Sleep, movement, real food, hydration, community, feeling good in your body. Wellness for me now is less about extremes and more about building a life that actually supports you.
How do you find flow—that moment, or ability, to be fully immersed and present in the moment—in your life?
I find it most through community. When I’m with the by dria community, whether it’s at an event, in the group chat or on one of our live streams, I feel very present. I love seeing women connect, share what’s working for them, ask questions and feel supported in real time.
We have a private member group chat, monthly expert sessions, and in-person events in New York, LA and the Hamptons. I’ve been really intentional about building something that feels both useful and personal. That's when I feel most in flow—when people are connecting over things that genuinely make their lives better. |
The New Era of Menopause CareFor decades, menopause was treated as something women were expected to quietly endure—not something the healthcare system needed to actively support. But that narrative is shifting in a big way. Women are more informed, more vocal and more willing to advocate for care that actually improves their quality of life. And as a result, demand for menopause support—from hormone therapy to specialized providers—is surging.
But here’s the catch: the system wasn’t built for this moment.
Take the current estrogen patch shortage. As more women seek out hormone therapy—following updated research and the removal of outdated safety warnings—prescriptions have skyrocketed. The problem? Supply hasn’t kept up. Years of underinvestment in menopause care have left pharmaceutical infrastructure lagging behind, turning what should be a breakthrough moment into a frustrating one. For many women, it’s not just about a medication being out of stock—it’s about losing access to something that finally made them feel like themselves again.
At the same time, we’re seeing a wave of new solutions aimed at filling those exact gaps. Major health players—from telehealth platforms to wearable tech companies—are stepping into the menopause space, offering more accessible, personalized care than ever before. Whether it’s 24/7 access to menopause-trained providers, app-based hormone tracking or employer-backed benefits, the landscape is evolving quickly to meet women where they are.
And behind much of this momentum? A growing chorus of experts and advocates working to correct decades of misinformation. Voices like Dr. Mary Claire Haver, who openly reflects on the gaps in her own medical training, are helping to reshape how menopause is understood—not as a minor phase, but as a complex, whole-body transition that deserves real attention and care.
The takeaway: We’re in a pivotal moment for women’s health. Awareness is growing, access is expanding—but there’s still work to be done to ensure the system can truly support the women it’s finally starting to listen to. |
CELEBRATING the future of aging, thanks to a new collaboration between AARP’s AgeTech Collaborative and HLTH, spotlighting startups that are redefining what it means to grow older. From health monitoring to social connection, these innovations are proving that longevity isn’t just about living longer—it’s about living better.
READING Invincible: Defy Your Genetic Destiny to Live Better, Longer by Dr. Florence Comite, a new release that breaks down how precision medicine can help you take control of how you age—offering practical, science-backed ways to improve your healthspan, not just your lifespan.
TRACKING our biological age, as epigenetics takes center stage in the future of longevity. With Infinite Epigenetics acquiring Tally Health, the goal is clear: make cutting-edge aging science more accessible, helping women better understand how they’re aging—and what they can actually do to improve their healthspan.
LISTENING to The Dr. Vonda Show podcast, where orthopedic surgeon and longevity expert Dr. Vonda Wright breaks down the science of aging—from muscle and bone health to mindset—with practical, actionable advice. Start with her deep dives on female longevity over 40 and how menopause impacts the gut microbiome. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment