This is the “do this, then reassess” plan.
Non-negotiables (Days 1–7)
- 10–15 min outdoor light within 60 minutes of waking
- Protein with breakfast (or at least within first meal)
- Caffeine cut-off: 12pm (or taper down)
- 10-minute walk after lunch
- Device dim-down 60 minutes before bed (or blue-light reduction)
Day 1–2: Stop the bleeding
- Eat protein + fibre at each meal
- Hydrate earlier in the day
- No alcohol (yes, even “just one”)
Day 3–4: Stabilise energy
- Add a planned 2–3pm intervention:
Day 5–7: Build resilience
- Add 2–3 short “parasympathetic reps” daily:
- Examples (the best “reps”)
Pick 1–2 and do them 2–3 times a day:
- 5 slow nasal breaths (about 60–90 seconds)Inhale 4–5 sec, exhale 6–8 sec. Longer exhale tells the body “safe now.”
- Box breathing (4–4–4–4) for 2 minutesGreat before meals, meetings, or when you’re about to snap at someone for breathing.
- Physiological sigh (2 inhales + long exhale) x 3–5 roundsFast reset when anxiety spikes.
- 10-minute walk (especially after meals)Double win: nervous system + digestion.
- Legs up the wall for 5 minutesSimple, surprisingly powerful.
- Extended exhale breathingAny breathing pattern where the exhale is longer than the inhale.
Track daily (simple):
- Sleep quality (0–10)
- Hot flashes/night sweats (Y/N)
- Mood stability (0–10)
- 3pm energy (0–10)
- Cravings (0–10)