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Why Modern Life is Making Women Unwell (and How to Fix It)

Writer's picture: Shaini VerdonShaini Verdon

Modern life has brought us countless conveniences—technology, efficiency, and productivity—but at a cost we rarely stop to question. Women today are more exhausted, inflamed, hormonally imbalanced, and disconnected from their bodies than ever before. Despite having access to more health information than any generation before us, we struggle with the basics: energy, vitality, restful sleep, and a deep sense of well-being.

How can we thrive in modern life when our days are filled with stress, ultra-processed foods, and overstimulation? What if the answer isn’t about doing more but instead about returning to simple health habits—ones that align with our natural biology and hormonal rhythms?

The foundation of true health is simple:

  • Move your body in a way that builds strength and resilience.

  • Eat real food that nourishes your body and hormones.

  • Prioritize sleep as an essential pillar of well-being.

  • Spend time in nature—because you are nature.

  • Cultivate awareness—of your breath, emotions, and body’s signals.

Yet, society makes these holistic health pillars difficult. Our food is industrialized. Movement is engineered out of our lives. Sleep is sacrificed for productivity. Nature is something we look at through a screen instead of experiencing.

And for women in perimenopause, these foundational elements become more critical than ever. When hormones fluctuate, the body needs more—not less—support through nutrition, movement, rest, and mindfulness.


“We don’t need more complicated health strategies. We need a return to what is simple: movement, nourishment, rest, nature, and awareness.”
Why Modern Life is Making Women Unwell (and How to Fix It) quote

Why Modern Life is Making Women Unwell

The modern world has created a paradox: despite advancements in medicine and technology, more women are struggling with their health than ever before. From hormonal imbalances and chronic stress to fatigue and inflammation, our well-being is suffering.

So Why is Modern Life is Making Women Unwell? Because we have moved away from the fundamental lifestyle habits that allow us to thrive. Convenience has replaced movement. Industry has replaced real food. Productivity has replaced sleep. Technology has replaced nature. Distraction has replaced awareness.

The good news? We can reclaim our health by returning to simplicity.


1. Movement Has Been Replaced by Convenience

Our ancestors walked, lifted, and moved all day. Today, we drive, sit, and scroll. Daily movement has been engineered out of our lives. Even structured exercise is often reduced to quick sessions squeezed into busy schedules. But the body was designed for functional movement—lifting, twisting, bending, and running—not just sitting at a desk or walking on a treadmill for 30 minutes.

Lack of movement leads to:

  • Muscle loss and reduced bone density (especially problematic in perimenopause).

  • Slower metabolism and weight gain, particularly around the midsection.

  • Higher cortisol levels, increasing stress and inflammation.

The fix? Strength training, daily mobility exercises, and reconnecting movement to daily life—walking instead of driving, carrying groceries instead of using a cart, squatting instead of bending over improperly.


2. Food Has Been Replaced by Industry

Most supermarket products are ultra-processed, stripped of nutrients, and filled with pesticides, artificial additives, and inflammatory oils. The convenience of modern food comes at a cost: gut issues, blood sugar imbalances, and hormonal disruption.

This is particularly damaging during perimenopause, when hormone balance depends on stable blood sugar, healthy fats, and high-quality protein. Yet, many women rely on processed snacks, low-fat products, and quick meals that leave them nutrient-depleted.

The fix? Eat whole, real foods. Focus on protein for muscle maintenance, healthy fats for hormone support, and fiber for gut health. Prioritize organic, seasonal, and local produce whenever possible—not as a luxury, but as a necessity for long-term health.


3. Sleep Has Been Replaced by Productivity

We glorify “hustle culture” and sacrifice rest in the name of getting things done. But sleep is non-negotiable. It’s when the body repairs tissues, regulates hormones, and processes emotions.

Chronic sleep deprivation leads to:

  • Increased cortisol, which disrupts hormone balance.

  • Blood sugar imbalances, making cravings and energy crashes worse.

  • Reduced estrogen and progesterone stability, intensifying perimenopause symptoms.

The fix? Create a sleep ritual. Limit blue light at night, keep a cool and dark bedroom, and prioritize 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep. In perimenopause, supporting melatonin and progesterone through diet and lifestyle can improve sleep quality.


“When a woman enters perimenopause, these basic pillars of thriving become non-negotiable. Our body demands more support, not less.”

4. Nature Has Been Replaced by Screens

When was the last time you stood barefoot on the earth? Felt the sun on your face? Listened to the wind in the trees?

Modern life has severed our connection to nature, replacing it with artificial environments and endless screen time. But we are nature, and when we disconnect from it, we disconnect from ourselves.

Time in nature has been shown to:

  • Reduce cortisol and inflammation.

  • Improve sleep, mood, and energy levels.

  • Help balance the nervous system, particularly for women experiencing perimenopausal anxiety.

The fix? Prioritize daily outdoor time. Walk, garden, swim, or simply sit outside. Even 10 minutes in the sun can regulate circadian rhythms and improve hormonal health.


5. Awareness Has Been Replaced by Distraction

We live in a world of constant stimulation—notifications, news, scrolling, consuming. Rarely do we pause to feel, breathe, and simply be. But awareness is the key to everything—it allows us to notice when our body needs rest, when stress is building, when our food choices aren’t serving us.

When perimenopause begins, listening to your body becomes more important than ever. Symptoms are your body’s way of communicating. Ignoring them or numbing them with quick fixes only makes the transition harder.

The fix? Develop self-awareness. Tune into your breath. Notice your stress responses. Slow down and feel.



In my wellness era quote

The Solution: A Return to Simplicity

Every time I find myself overcomplicating my health, I come back to these basics:

  • Check your diet: Is it still appropriate for this phase of life?

  • Move daily: Are you building strength, maintaining mobility, and moving in ways that support your body’s long-term health?

  • Prioritize rest: Are you honoring your sleep as a sacred practice?

  • Spend time in nature: Are you reconnecting with the earth?

  • Breathe and feel: Are you aware of your body’s signals?


This is what I offer in my retreats and teachings—not a quick fix, but a deep return to what truly matters. Together, we strip back the noise and reconnect with the foundation of well-being: movement, nourishment, rest, nature, and awareness.

Because simplicity isn’t just the key to health—it’s the key to thriving.


With love,

Shaini




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