The Science of Awe at Midlife
Awe isn’t just a fleeting feeling—it can reshape your brain, body, and relationships. Research shows awe strengthens well-being, reduces inflammation, and boosts compassion, humility, and critical thinking—especially during midlife when we need balance most unity.org+2greatergood.berkeley.edu+2ucsf.edu+2.
Midlife = Prime Time for Awe
The hormonal shifts, busy schedules, and identity recalibrations that come with midlife can leave us feeling disconnected. Amazingly, encountering awe—be it in nature, art, music, or shared experiences—helps us:
Real-World Studies on Awe in Midlife
How to Bring Awe into Your Daily Routine
You don’t need a mountaintop moment to benefit. Try these micro-steps:
|
Practice
|
What to Do
|
Why It Works
|
|
Awe Walks
|
Take a 10–15 min walk, focusing on details like clouds, leaf patterns, or art
|
Promotes presence and prosocial emotionsucsf.edu+1pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+1
|
|
Nature or Art Breaks
|
Spend time observing something vast or beautiful—giant trees, sunsets, music, a powerful story
|
Shifts brain focus outward and stimulates dopamine/calming neurochemicals
|
|
Share the Moment
|
Talk over dinner or in group chats about an awe moment you experienced
|
Builds social connection and spreads positivity
|
Symptoms aren’t a nuisance to silence. They’re signals. Clues from your body asking you to pause, pay attention, and care.
When we respond with kindness — whether through food, botanicals, movement, or medical options like HRT — we open the door not just to relief, but to renewal.
This season of life holds power.
Let’s meet it with awe.
Ashwagandha and Menopause: 5 Key Benefits for Midlife Women
Ashwagandha has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, but it’s only in recent years that Western research has begun to explore its full potential. For women navigating perimenopause or menopause, ashwagandha offers a compelling toolkit—helping to ease physical and emotional symptoms brought on by hormonal shifts.
Let’s take a closer look at what this powerful adaptogen can do.
1. Eases Anxiety and Emotional Swings
The transition through menopause can heighten feelings of unease, overwhelm, or sudden shifts in mood. Ashwagandha is classed as an adaptogen—an herb that helps the body manage stress and rebalance. Clinical studies show it can lower cortisol (the stress hormone), which may support a more stable emotional state and reduce anxious feelings during midlife.
2. Supports Restful Sleep
Insomnia and restless nights are common during hormonal changes, and ashwagandha has shown promise as a natural sleep aid. Research suggests it can improve both the quality and duration of sleep by regulating the nervous system and calming the mind. For many, this leads to deeper, more restorative rest—without the need for synthetic sleep aids.
3. Improves Energy and Resilience
Ashwagandha doesn’t work like caffeine. It doesn't offer a short-term high, but instead helps build stamina over time. Studies indicate it may enhance physical endurance, mental clarity, and overall resilience—especially when used consistently. For those feeling depleted or “running on empty” in midlife, it can provide a steady lift.
4. Balances Hormones and Reduces Inflammation
While ashwagandha isn’t a hormone itself, it appears to influence how the body regulates its own production. Early evidence suggests it may support thyroid function, regulate cortisol rhythms, and calm inflammation—all of which are crucial during menopause. This makes it especially helpful in managing fatigue, brain fog, and mood imbalance.
5. Supports Sexual Health and Libido
Reduced libido is a common and often unspoken concern during menopause. Ashwagandha has been studied for its ability to support sexual function and desire. In one clinical trial, women who took ashwagandha reported improved arousal, satisfaction, and comfort during intimacy. Its role in stress reduction and hormonal harmony likely plays a part here too.
A Final Note
Ashwagandha is a powerful plant—but not every supplement is created equal. Clinical studies often use standardized extracts like KSM-66® to ensure quality and effectiveness. This is the form used in Mood Food, one of the formulations co-developed by MPOWDER’s community of midlife women.
As with any supplement, it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider—especially if you have thyroid concerns or take medication that affects the nervous system or hormones.
Explore Mood Food as part of a broader plan to support emotional balance, better sleep, and greater resilience in midlife.
Why Midlife Is the Perfect Time to Rediscover Awe
The Science of Awe at Midlife
Awe isn’t just a fleeting feeling—it can reshape your brain, body, and relationships. Research shows awe strengthens well-being, reduces inflammation, and boosts compassion, humility, and critical thinking—especially during midlife when we need balance most unity.org+2greatergood.berkeley.edu+2ucsf.edu+2.
Midlife = Prime Time for Awe
The hormonal shifts, busy schedules, and identity recalibrations that come with midlife can leave us feeling disconnected. Amazingly, encountering awe—be it in nature, art, music, or shared experiences—helps us:
Real-World Studies on Awe in Midlife
How to Bring Awe into Your Daily Routine
You don’t need a mountaintop moment to benefit. Try these micro-steps:
Practice
What to Do
Why It Works
Awe Walks
Take a 10–15 min walk, focusing on details like clouds, leaf patterns, or art
Promotes presence and prosocial emotionsucsf.edu+1pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+1
Nature or Art Breaks
Spend time observing something vast or beautiful—giant trees, sunsets, music, a powerful story
Shifts brain focus outward and stimulates dopamine/calming neurochemicals
Share the Moment
Talk over dinner or in group chats about an awe moment you experienced
Builds social connection and spreads positivity
Symptoms aren’t a nuisance to silence. They’re signals. Clues from your body asking you to pause, pay attention, and care.
When we respond with kindness — whether through food, botanicals, movement, or medical options like HRT — we open the door not just to relief, but to renewal.
This season of life holds power.
Let’s meet it with awe.
Ashwagandha and Menopause: 5 Key Benefits for Midlife Women
Ashwagandha has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, but it’s only in recent years that Western research has begun to explore its full potential. For women navigating perimenopause or menopause, ashwagandha offers a compelling toolkit—helping to ease physical and emotional symptoms brought on by hormonal shifts.
Let’s take a closer look at what this powerful adaptogen can do.
1. Eases Anxiety and Emotional Swings
The transition through menopause can heighten feelings of unease, overwhelm, or sudden shifts in mood. Ashwagandha is classed as an adaptogen—an herb that helps the body manage stress and rebalance. Clinical studies show it can lower cortisol (the stress hormone), which may support a more stable emotional state and reduce anxious feelings during midlife.
2. Supports Restful Sleep
Insomnia and restless nights are common during hormonal changes, and ashwagandha has shown promise as a natural sleep aid. Research suggests it can improve both the quality and duration of sleep by regulating the nervous system and calming the mind. For many, this leads to deeper, more restorative rest—without the need for synthetic sleep aids.
3. Improves Energy and Resilience
Ashwagandha doesn’t work like caffeine. It doesn't offer a short-term high, but instead helps build stamina over time. Studies indicate it may enhance physical endurance, mental clarity, and overall resilience—especially when used consistently. For those feeling depleted or “running on empty” in midlife, it can provide a steady lift.
4. Balances Hormones and Reduces Inflammation
While ashwagandha isn’t a hormone itself, it appears to influence how the body regulates its own production. Early evidence suggests it may support thyroid function, regulate cortisol rhythms, and calm inflammation—all of which are crucial during menopause. This makes it especially helpful in managing fatigue, brain fog, and mood imbalance.
5. Supports Sexual Health and Libido
Reduced libido is a common and often unspoken concern during menopause. Ashwagandha has been studied for its ability to support sexual function and desire. In one clinical trial, women who took ashwagandha reported improved arousal, satisfaction, and comfort during intimacy. Its role in stress reduction and hormonal harmony likely plays a part here too.
A Final Note
Ashwagandha is a powerful plant—but not every supplement is created equal. Clinical studies often use standardized extracts like KSM-66® to ensure quality and effectiveness. This is the form used in Mood Food, one of the formulations co-developed by MPOWDER’s community of midlife women.
As with any supplement, it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider—especially if you have thyroid concerns or take medication that affects the nervous system or hormones.
Explore Mood Food as part of a broader plan to support emotional balance, better sleep, and greater resilience in midlife.