Navigating Mental Health in Perimenopause with Dr Lauren Tober

In this heartfelt episode of the Perimenopause Summit, Edwina is joined by clinical psychologist and yoga teacher Dr. Lauren Tober for a deeply nourishing conversation about perimenopause, motherhood, and the power of self-compassion.

✨ Life Transitions
Dr. Lauren reflects on the season of mothering teenagers while moving through perimenopause—a stage she describes as both challenging and beautiful. Together, she and Edwina explore the “sweet spot” of having children who are more independent, and the opportunity this creates to return to themselves and reclaim personal space.

✨ The Inner Journey of Perimenopause
Sharing openly, Dr. Lauren speaks of perimenopause as a kind of dark night of the soul—a period that invites women to question their life’s purpose, face emotional turbulence, and prioritise self-care in new ways. She describes how the experience, while confronting, ultimately opened the door to greater fulfilment and alignment.

✨ Self-Compassion & Daily Rituals
A central theme of the conversation is compassion—especially towards oneself. Dr. Lauren offers a simple yet profound practice of saying goodnight to oneself with gentle words and touch, cultivating kindness and trust within. Edwina echoes this, sharing her own phrase—“how human of me”—as a reminder to embrace our emotions without judgment.

✨ Evolving Practice
Dr. Lauren also shares how her yoga and meditation practice has shifted over the years. From the rigour of Ashtanga in her 20s to a more spacious vinyasa practice in her 40s, she now emphasises joy, strength, and adaptability. Her morning tea ceremony and dynamic asana are daily anchors that reflect her belief that practices should be nourishing, not obligations.

🌿 What You’ll Take Away

• A compassionate lens on navigating perimenopause and life’s transitions

• The importance of listening to your inner wisdom and honouring what you need

• Practical self-care tools to cultivate kindness and connection with yourself

• Permission to evolve your yoga and mindfulness practices as your body and life change

This inspiring conversation is a reminder that perimenopause isn’t just a challenge—it’s also an invitation. An invitation to slow down, listen inward, and step into a more authentic, resilient, and self-connected way of being.