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I met Dr. Teresa Chamorro at our perimenopause premiere, and afterward everyone said the same thing: bring the psychologist back. So here she is. Teresa is a clinical psychologist specializing in sleep and women's reproductive mental health, supporting women through fertility, pregnancy, loss, the postpartum period, and menopause.
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We start with something that isn't talked about nearly enough: postpartum mental health. We get into why postpartum depression and anxiety carry so much shame, why the six-week checkup gives a false sense of a finish line when this can take many months to move through, and how to know when a hard season has become something worth getting help for.
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From there we talk about the identity shift of becoming a mother, and how to hold onto yourself inside it. We get into the perimenopause transition and how a whole team, not just hormones, supports you through it, and why tracking your symptoms gives you back a sense of control.
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We also cover the things I could talk about for hours: why failure is not only survivable but necessary, how to actually set and hold a boundary, the invisible mental load women carry.
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If you take one thing from this: express how you're feeling, don't be afraid to set boundaries, and give yourself real breaks. You are not alone.
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FAQs​
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Why don't I feel rested after scrolling or watching TV?
Because sitting still is not the same as being at rest. If your mind keeps running through your to-do list or replaying stressful moments while you scroll, your body stays tense and your nervous system stays switched on. This kind of downtime is mindless rather than mindful, so you get up feeling no more restored than before.
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What is the difference between mindful and mindless rest?
Mindless rest, like a distracted scroll or a show you are not really watching, lets your attention scatter while stress continues underneath. Mindful rest asks you to be genuinely present with something, and while it takes a little more effort, it is what actually allows your body to relax and recover.
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Does watching a movie ever count as real rest?
It can, in the right context. If you are genuinely looking forward to something and settle in to enjoy it, that counts as restorative time. The problem is the reflexive scroll or show you put on when you are already overwhelmed and cannot actually focus on it.
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What is the mental load?
The mental load is the invisible, ongoing work of planning and remembering everything, what needs scheduling, who needs what, what cannot be forgotten. It runs constantly in the background and makes everything feel heavier, which is why setting it down, even briefly, is part of real rest.
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How should I breathe to calm down?
Try breathing into your belly rather than your chest, with an exhale longer than your inhale. Inhaling raises your heart rate slightly and exhaling lowers it, so a longer exhale helps steer your body toward calm. Place a hand on your belly to make sure it rises as you breathe in, and keep the rhythm comfortable, never to the point of feeling short of air.
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Why don't breathing exercises seem to work for me?
Often because they are stopped too soon. Calming the nervous system is a physical process that can take several minutes, not seconds. A minute is a good start, but aim for around five and work toward seven, and make sure you are breathing from your diaphragm rather than shallowly from your chest.
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What is a body scan?
A body scan is a quick check-in where you sit still and move your attention from head to toe, simply noticing tension without trying to fix it. It helps you locate how you are actually feeling and identify what you need, which is often just a deep breath. It takes about two minutes.
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Full Transcript
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Chapters​
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00:00 Intro
00:06 Introduction to Women's Health Psychology
04:28 Navigating Postpartum Depression
07:29 Finding Identity in Motherhood
11:05 Communication in Relationships During Transition
15:23 Flexibility and Self-Compassion
19:44 Mindful vs. Mindless Relaxation
20:55 The Role of Movement in Stress Relief
22:27 Breathing Techniques for Stress Management
26:25 The Value of Failure
28:51 Teaching Resilience to Children
31:55 Facing Fear and Embracing Change
32:49 The Journey to Becoming a Psychologist
34:09 The Importance of Social Support
35:19 Perspective Shifting in Therapy
36:15 Expressing Emotions and Overcoming Shame
38:21 Understanding Gender Differences in Emotional Expression
38:43 Setting Boundaries: The Key to Healthy Relationships
42:38 Distinguishing Between Mental Health Professionals
43:54 The Rise of Narcissism in Modern Discourse
45:32 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways
48:13 Outro