Margaritas, Mood Swings & Midlife: What I’ve Learned About Drinking And Menopause

This weekend, I had some margaritas. Nothing wild, just a few drinks, a good time, and an evening of fun.

But here’s what happened next...

I got home and felt wired and weird - not quite tired but not quite awake either. The next day, I was more exhausted than expected, and over the following 48 hours, my mood took a noticeable dip. I was snappier, heavier, less patient. Things that I’d usually brush off were suddenly getting under my skin.

And the truth is, I can’t afford to feel that way for long. More importantly, I don’t want to feel that way - because it affects everything - my kids, my work, my sleep, my energy, my relationships. Me. I’m post-menopausal now - and while the hormone chaos has settled somewhat, alcohol still hits differently. My body’s not as forgiving. Sleep feels more fragile, my nervous system more sensitive, and my tolerance is lower across the board. Even just a little drink can throw things off emotionally, physically, energetically - in ways it didn't used to.

Why Alcohol Hits Differently in Menopause

When estrogen and progesterone drop, our tolerance to alcohol drops too. Here’s what else it can do during this phase of life:

• Wreck sleep (and a tired woman is an emotionally vulnerable woman)

• Trigger hot flushes and night sweats

• Spike anxiety or anger

• Make blood sugar crash - and with it, your mood

• Add to overall inflammation and fatigue

  
  

It’s not just agening, it’s not just you being dramatic and feeling sorry for yourself the moring after. It’s your body saying, “I’m already doing a lot - please don’t make this any harder.”

So Do I Just Stop Drinking?

Personally? No. I still drink sometimes. I like social drinking and I love margaritas. I enjoy the ritual and the laughter and the “aaah, this is my moment” energy that a good cocktail brings.

But here’s what has changed: I’m aware.

I’m not surprised anymore when I feel more rubbish than I used to after drinking. And I don’t make it mean anything about me, I don't beat myself up, I just clock it. I understand it. And this is the important part - I support myself through it.

This Is Where Supplements Come In (But Not Like You Think)

I take supplements daily that help me feel more balanced and resilient overall - not because they magically undo a cocktail, but because they support me in real life.

On the days when I’m not perfect.

When I’ve had a few drinks.

When I didn’t sleep well.

When my mood is low and life is life-ing.

They’re not hangover cures and they’re not permission to go wild. They’re part of my actual wellbeing plan as a woman who's going through a huge physiological shift.

These are the tools that mean yes, I still have bad days - but they’re different now. I recover quicker, I understand myself and my body better. And I don’t spiral - I bounce back.

Because I’m not just reacting anymore, I’m responding. I’m working with my body instead of against it.

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Curious what I take to support my mood, sleep, and energy?

💛 Here’s my everyday supplement stack - these aren’t magic pills - but they’ve become part of what helps me feel more stable, more myself!

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The Bottom Line?

I still love margaritas. I still have fun. And I still have low days. But I don’t stay stuck in them the way I used to.

This is what it looks like to take your wellness seriously - not perfectly, but honestly. To live your life, enjoy the moments, and still honour your body and emotions in the aftermath.

So no, I won’t be drinking often - not because I’ve made some rule, but because I’ve finally tuned in and I like feeling good more than I like feeling foggy.