Morning Glow Newsletter Vol. 13

Solana
Aug 13
6 min read

13 August 2025

When Your Brain Packs Up for a Holiday Without You

By Yara, Editor-at-large

One morning you’re mid-sentence and… nothing. The word you need has packed a small suitcase and vanished. You start finding your reading glasses in the fridge or wondering why you’ve opened a cupboard in the first place. If this sounds familiar, you might be in the middle of menopause brain fog.

It’s a peculiar thing, this fog. You can be perfectly fine one moment, then unable to remember the name of the actor you’ve known since your teens the next. It’s not a sign you’re losing your mind. Hormones, disrupted sleep, and a body working hard to adjust to its new normal can all tinker with your focus and memory.

The fog feels frustrating, but it is rarely permanent. Your brain thrives on attention and care, and it responds surprisingly well to the right kind of maintenance. Think of it like giving your mind a service and MOT. Regular movement, nourishing food, staying socially connected and keeping your mind challenged all work together to keep those cognitive cogs turning.

I’m not talking about overhauling your life overnight. Start with the easy wins. Go for a brisk walk with a friend instead of scrolling your phone. Swap one processed meal a day for something fresh and colourful. Get hooked on a good crossword or a podcast that makes you think.

Strength training isn’t just for bodybuilders. Lifting weights or doing resistance exercises protects muscle mass, keeps your metabolism ticking and gives your mood a lift. Food matters too. A Mediterranean-style plate with olive oil, leafy greens, whole grains, beans and the occasional handful of walnuts will keep your gut and brain in better shape. Don’t underestimate water either; dehydration can make brain fog worse.

For some, hormone therapy can be helpful, but it’s a conversation to have with a healthcare professional. It’s not a magic cure, and it works best when combined with lifestyle changes.

If the fog feels unshakable or is affecting your daily life years after menopause, get it checked. Sometimes it’s just part of the hormonal rollercoaster. Sometimes it’s a nudge from your body to look more closely.

Here’s the thing. Many women tell me that once they come through the other side, they feel clearer, sharper, and more themselves than they have in years. Brain fog might slow you down for a while, but it doesn’t get to keep you.

Your Turn – When Did the Fog Roll In?

We’ve all had them… the moments when the brain simply leaves the building.

Keys in the freezer. Calling the cat by your sister’s name. Forgetting what you were mid-rant about.

Share your “foggiest moment” in the YaraGlow community. We’ll round up the best for a future post (names changed to protect the guilty).

Join the conversation here: www.yaraglow.com

Sip Smarter: Three Drinks That Could Age Your Glow

When it comes to healthy skin, what we drink matters just as much as what we apply. But not all beverages have your back, they may be silently dulling your complexion faster than you think.

First is alcohol. Even a glass or two each week can cause inflammation, disrupt your sleep (your skin’s nightly repair window), dry you out, and dull the radiance you usually wake up with. Keep hydrated with water if you’re indulging occasionally.

Next up, sodas and fizzy drinks, especially the sugary or artificially sweetened kind. They break down collagen and elastin, the proteins that give your skin its bounce. That milky film over there’s no coincidence.

So what’s the alternative? Stick with water, herbal teas, or sparkling alternatives. Infuse your water with berries or citrus for a bit of flavour without sabotage.

Your skin, and your future self, will thank you for choosing hydration and clarity over quick fixes.

3,000 Steps a Day? Your Heart’s Favourite Low-Key Fitness Hack

Okay, if the idea of 10,000 steps makes your eyes glaze over, here’s something way friendlier: walking just over 3,000 steps a day at a brisk pace can slash your cardiovascular risk by around 17 per cent. Yes, really .

This isn’t one of those studies that demands you run marathons before breakfast. These steps are everyday ones... walking the dog, popping to the shops, hauling the washing in. The kicker is picking up the speed now and then. It’s like adding a dash of spice to your routine without breaking a sweat.

Here’s the breakdown: compared to someone taking around 2,300 steps, upping to 3,000 steps a day and walking with a bit of purpose was linked to fewer major heart events in people with high blood pressure . Every extra 1,000 steps? Even better. Researchers saw roughly 22 per cent lower risk of heart failure, 24 per cent less stroke risk and 9 per cent fewer heart attacks.

Brisk walking is scoring big in recent health news. It’s proving that moving more, even at a gentle clip, gives you serious heart protection without turning into a gym rat.

So next time your phone buzzes with fitness goals, give it a reality check. A purposeful power walk does the trick. Let’s step into sparkling heart health, three thousand steps at a time!

Beef Tallow in Skincare: Is the Hype Beef? (Vegetarians - look away!)

So, beef tallow for your face… glorified cow fat or actual skincare hero? It’s enough to make you look at the butcher differently.

On the plus side, tallow has a skin-friendly makeup. It’s rich in fatty acids and vitamins A, D, E and K, and some experts say it mirrors our own sebum. That means serious barrier support and deep hydration for dry patches. One small study even suggests it may calm inflammation for issues like eczema or psoriasis. Tallow is even touted as a way to deliver other actives deeper into the skin .

But let’s not get carried away. Dermatologists warn it can clog pores, especially on oily or acne-prone skin. Plus, quality varies wildly. If sourcing or storage is off, it can go rancid or irritate sensitive skin.

If you’re tempted, patch test first and opt for well-rendered, grass-fed tallow. And remember that tried-and-true moisturisers from trusted brands exist for a reason. Sometimes simple, science-backed skincare works best.

Can Adaptogens Smooth Out the Menopause Ride? Let’s Chat

Menopause can feel a bit like your body has decided to rewrite its own operating system mid-stream. Hot flushes, night sweats, foggy brain or mood swings can turn life into a shuffle more than a stride. I keep hearing about adaptogens, herbal helpers like ashwagandha and rhodiola… but do they actually help?

The idea is that adaptogens support your body’s stress response. They may help steady cortisol levels, the hormone that ramps up when everything feels overwhelming. That can ease anxiety, brain fog and even those middle-of-the-night hot flashes. The tricky thing is the science on menopause specifically is still quite light. Experts say they interact with the body’s stress system in a gentle, non-toxic way, if only that meant our symptoms would be equally kind.

Let’s talk specifics. Ashwagandha has a bit of a fan club for helping sleep, calming nerves and even supporting mood and hormone balance. I’ve heard it can help with memory too if the haze of menopause has you forgetting your own story sometimes. There’s also rhodiola rosea, better known as golden root, which looks promising for mood, fatigue and mental spark. Maca root gets a shout for libido and energy, while schisandra and ginseng get mentions for endurance and calming flares.

Here’s the rub. The adaptogen scene is not well regulated. Quality varies wildly, and claims often outpace what little research exists. None of these herbs are going to replace professional care or HRT when that is needed. They can be complimentary and gentle helpers rather than bold game-changers.

If adaptogens intrigue you, always start small and test for effects. Pick reputable products from sources that spell out doses and purity. See your doctor if symptoms interfere with your day, and know that adaptogens are only one part of the toolkit.

Most importantly, menopause doesn’t need to be endured alone or in silence. Your whole body and confidence can emerge from this clearer, not more bedraggled. Adaptogens may just help smooth the ride, not control the GPS entirely.

Rich in vitamin C, kiwi fruit helps support immune function and may create an internal environment less hospitable to the bacteria commonly responsible for UTIs. By helping to maintain a more acidic urinary pH, vitamin C can interfere with bacterial growth in the bladder and urinary tract.

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