Why Anxiety and Overwhelm Increase During Perimenopause
Understanding the Hormone, Stress and Nervous System Connection
Many women are surprised to notice increased anxiety, irritability, or a feeling of being easily overwhelmed during perimenopause — even if they have never struggled with anxiety before. These experiences are very common and are closely connected to the relationship between hormonal fluctuations and the nervous system.
Understanding what is happening physiologically can help remove confusion and open the door to effective support strategies.
Hormonal Changes Influence the Brain and Stress Response
During perimenopause, estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate from month to month and sometimes day to day. These hormones play an important role in regulating brain chemistry, including neurotransmitters that influence mood, calmness, and emotional resilience.
As hormone levels shift, many women experience:
Mood swings or emotional variability
Feelings of tension or restlessness
Difficulty “shutting off” the mind
A sense of overwhelm with responsibilities that previously felt manageable
Because these hormonal patterns interact closely with the nervous system, the body may react more strongly to everyday stressors than it did in earlier years.
The Nervous System Becomes More Stress Reactive
The nervous system continuously shifts between two primary states:
Sympathetic mode (alert, stress-response)
Parasympathetic mode (rest, recovery, regulation)
During perimenopause, hormonal changes can make it easier for the nervous system to remain in alert mode and more difficult to fully return to recovery mode. When this occurs, women may feel:
“On edge” or easily overstimulated
Mentally exhausted but unable to relax
More reactive to daily pressures
Less resilient to busy schedules and demands
Over time, a prolonged stress-response state can affect sleep quality, muscle tension, digestion, and emotional well-being.
Why Nervous System Regulation Is Key
While emotional symptoms are often attributed solely to hormones, nervous system regulation plays a major role in how the body adapts to hormonal transitions. When the nervous system is more balanced and adaptable, the body is better able to:
Regulate stress hormones
Maintain emotional steadiness
Recover more efficiently from daily stress
Improve sleep and overall resilience
Supporting nervous system health can therefore be an important part of a comprehensive approach to well-being during perimenopause.
How Chiropractic Care May Help
Chiropractic care focuses on supporting the communication between the brain and body through the spine and nervous system. Gentle adjustments help reduce interference within the nervous system, allowing the body to shift more effectively between stress and recovery states.
Women receiving regular chiropractic care during perimenopause often report:
Improved stress tolerance
A greater sense of calm
Reduced tension in the neck, shoulders, and back
Better sleep and recovery
Increased overall resilience during busy periods of life
Objective nervous system scans can also provide measurable insight into how the body is responding to stress and track improvements over time.
Additional Ways to Support Emotional Balance
Small daily practices can further support nervous system regulation:
Consistent sleep routines
Gentle movement such as walking or mobility exercises
Breathing or mindfulness practices
Balanced nutrition to support stable energy
Creating regular moments of recovery throughout the day
When combined with nervous system–focused care, these strategies can help women feel more grounded and adaptable during this stage of life.
Moving Through Perimenopause with Greater Resilience
Experiencing anxiety or overwhelm during perimenopause does not mean something is “wrong” — it often reflects the body adapting to neurological and hormonal transitions. With the right support, many women find they can restore emotional steadiness, improve stress resilience, and feel more balanced than they expected during this phase of life.
Support for Women in Somerset County
At Far Hills Family Chiropractic, care is designed to support women through every stage of life — including perimenopause and menopause — using gentle chiropractic care and nervous system–focused assessments to help the body function at its best.
If you are experiencing increased stress sensitivity, tension, or feelings of overwhelm, personalized nervous system–focused care may help support greater balance and resilience.
Learn more about our Perimenopause & Menopause Chiropractic Care
