Dr Newson, who specialises in hormones, said she used to eat badly due to shift work as a junior doctor and rarely found time to exercise. Later, as a working mother, her schedule was chaotic for years. But in recent years she has become regimented with her schedule.
She starts her day at 6am with yoga and headstands. She also focuses on eating well and learning how to relax. Dr Newson cautioned that some women believe they can simply start hormone replacement therapy and expect energy levels, skin, and mental health to be transformed without effort. She argued that people should do much more to prevent disease and improve their healthspan — the number of healthy years they enjoy — rather than focusing only on lifespan.
Dr Newson is a hormone expert and GP. Her essay appears in The Age, part of a series on personal wellness routines.