The Balance Smith

22/04/2026

There are 34 recognised symptoms of perimenopause. Hot flushes are just one of them.

Joint pain that came from nowhere.
Anxiety that makes no sense.
Sleep that's completely broken.
A brain that won't co-operate.
Along with a creeping feeling that you no longer recognise yourself.

None of this is in your head. None of it is "just getting older." And none of it should be dismissed with a leaflet and a goodbye.

Swipe through, I've covered five of the most common (and most overlooked) ways perimenopause affects your body, and how reflexology can genuinely help.

Save this one. Share it with a friend who needs to hear it.

And if you'd like to talk about how I can support you through this, my DMs are open.

Which one resonated most? Tell me in the comments. ⬇️

19/03/2026

12/03/2026

12/02/2026

This week I've been on a CPD course learning Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD).

For me, continuing professional development has never been about collecting techniques or adding things for the sake of it. It’s about deepening my understanding of the body and finding ways to support it with respect, especially when it’s under strain.

The lymphatic system works quietly in the background, yet it plays such a vital role in immunity, recovery, fluid balance and resilience. When it’s supported gently, the whole body benefits.

This learning feels particularly meaningful at this stage of my work, where professional knowledge, experience and lived experience intersect. I take my time integrating new skills. I don’t rush them into practice. That process matters to me.

Thoughtful care requires patience, both from the practitioner and the body itself.

I’ll share more once this has had time to land properly.

photo: Anna Keibalo/Unsplash

06/02/2026

I’ve been a lot quieter on here lately, and I wanted to acknowledge that.

Not because I’ve disappeared or lost momentum, but because I’ve been in a season that’s full of learning, treating and real life.

Although I want to maintain consistency, sometimes you just can't post just to stay visible or to keep an algorithm happy. My work and the way I show up has always been shaped by lived experience, depth and integrity.

Some seasons are for sharing outwardly. Others are for integrating what we’re learning, tending to what’s right in front of us, and allowing things to unfold at their own pace.

Phot: Andrew Neal on Unsplash

If you’ve been quieter too, please know this: you’re not behind, and you don’t owe anyone an explanation.

I’m still here.
Just moving with intention.

Gentle care doesn’t rush.

05/01/2026

January often arrives with the message that we should be doing more.
Fixing more. Improving more. Pushing harder.

But for many women I work with, that constant push is part of the problem.

Pain, low mood, fatigue, they don’t respond well to pressure.
They respond to safety. To rest. To being listened to rather than overridden.

An upcoming TV programme this week will be exploring chronic pain and depression through the lens of lifestyle medicine, looking beyond medication alone and towards how we live, move, rest, think and recover.

It's a reminder that small, supportive changes can have a powerful impact over time. After all, it's a journey.

Sometimes the most helpful question isn’t
“what should I be doing?”
but
“what does my body actually need right now?”

You’re not behind.
You don’t need fixing.
And easing off can be a very intelligent place to start.

Does this resonate with you?

Photo by Melanie Dijkstra - Unsplash

25/12/2025

Wishing you a very gentle Christmas.

This year has been a deeply meaningful one for me. Returning to work after being off for a year going through cancer treatment reminded me just how powerful support, kindness and human connection really are.

Thank you to everyone who has supported The Balance Smith, whether you’ve come for treatments, shared kind words, recommended me to a friend or quietly followed along here. Your trust and encouragement have meant more than I can say.

It’s an honour to hold space for you, and I don’t take that lightly.

I hope today brings whatever you need most, rest, warmth, laughter, peace… or simply a pause from the noise.

I’m looking forward to welcoming you in the new year and continuing this journey together, at a pace that feels kind and sustainable.

With love
❤ The Balance Smith x

18/12/2025

December has a way of piling it on.

End of year pressures, family expectations, social plans and that sense that you should be coping better than you are.

I used to think that rest was something you earned once everything else was done. Now I see it differently.

Ease isn’t laziness.
Stillness isn’t giving up.
And doing less doesn’t mean you care less.

At this time of year, I see so many women carrying tension without even noticing, tight shoulders, clenched jaws, shallow breathing. Always “on”, even when the body is asking to slow down.

Reflexology and massage aren’t just about 'fixing' anything.
They’re about creating space for the nervous system to settle.
For the body to feel safe enough to rest.
For calm to return naturally.

Sometimes the most supportive thing we can do is stop pushing and allow ourselves to be held instead.

December is now fully booked, but January appointments are open. If you’d like a gentler start to the new year, one that supports your body rather than demands more from it, you’re welcome to book ahead.

08/12/2025

I went to the gym this morning, worked out, had my swim and then slipped into the lovely warm little pool next to the whirlpool bath, the perfect spot after a workout. I love to float there, breathe deeply and just switch off for a moment.

But today one of the staff members actually came over to check I was okay. (Not entirely sure whether they thought I’d achieved a deep meditative state… or had stopped breathing 😅)

It did make me smile, but it also made me think.

Is being still really that unusual now? When was the last time you took a moment to do absolutely nothing?

No rushing. No noise. No multitasking.
Just… pause.

Stillness has carried me through some of the biggest shifts in my life, from retraining in midlife, to navigating cancer, to finding my way back to myself again. It’s where clarity shows up when we least expect it.

So here’s your gentle reminder today:
Give yourself five quiet minutes.
Sit. Float. Breathe.
Let yourself switch off on purpose.

If this resonates, share it, and let me know below: when did you last do absolutely nothing?

24/07/2025

Today is Self Care Day — and it’s your reminder that rest is productive.

You can't pour from an empty cup.

Ready to prioritise yourself? Book your next treatment and let me hold space for you.

11/03/2025

Lift Weights, Protect Your Bones: Why Strength Training is Non-Negotiable in Menopause

Menopause accelerates bone loss and muscle decline—leading to a higher risk of osteoporosis, fractures, and weakness. Strength training is the fix. Lifting weights helps rebuild bone density, maintain muscle mass, and keep you strong, mobile and independent for years to come. It’s not about getting bulky; it’s about future-proofing your body.

Are you already incorporating strength training into your routine? If not, what’s stopping you?

02/03/2025

Early detection is key.

Do you know the 12 signs of breast cancer? Download the free app and learn about each symptom, breast cancer risk factors, how to self-exam, schedule a mammogram and more. Know Your Lemons Foundation

https://www.knowyourlemons.org/app