Are You Stuck on the Hot Girl Hamster Wheel? / Why You Gain Weight on Your Period / The Sleep Gap No One Talks About 😴

Hi friend,

I’m reading Rich Girl Nation right now — and wow. Katie Gatti Tassin dives deep into the “hot girl hamster wheel” we’re all on, constantly chasing wellness and beauty goals in the name of self-care that, let’s be honest, often just serves capitalism and the patriarchy. (Platinum blonde isn’t a personality; it’s a maintenance plan.)

Then I came across this piece about how our obsession with optimal health may actually be making us sick (or at least kinda unhappy). The author writes: “Right now, society has become so obsessed with optimal health that I fear it's making us unwell or, at the very least, entirely joyless.”

Cue existential crisis while clutching my collagen protein powder.

So this week in The Cycle, we’re calling out the ways wellness culture has sold us a load of BS, and bringing you science-backed info that actually supports your health and sanity. Let’s rescript the narrative. 💪

Let’s talk about the real weight of your period, and why it’s totally normal.

Feeling bloated, crampy, ravenous, and 3 pounds heavier the week before your period? Same. The bad news? It’s annoying. The good news? It’s completely normal.

According to OB/GYN Dr. Dorothy Bestoyong, hormonal fluctuations during the luteal phase (aka pre-period week) are to blame for water retention, bloating, and those eat-everything-in-sight cravings. In other words: You’re not “letting yourself go,” your hormones are just vibing (chaotically). And yes, most of that weight gain is temporary.

🩸 Here’s exactly why it happens — and why you shouldn’t stress about it.

Do women need more sleep than men? Science is starting to say yes.

For years, sleep research was done on men and then just… applied to women. But new studies show women actually have different circadian rhythms, worse sleep quality, and are more prone to insomnia and anxiety. And that’s not just frustrating; it can impact our physical and mental health in a big way.

So when you feel like you need 9 hours of sleep, you’re probably right. Not lazy, just biologically correct.

😴 Here’s what the research says — and how to use it to reclaim your rest.

What We’re Reading, Watching, and Sending to the Group Chat 💌

• Is stevia really messing with your fertility?

• So, you’re telling me I don’t need to cold plunge? 🧊

• Your entire Instagram feed after you turn 35 🤣

• How the menstrual cycle affects ADHD

• In the UK, bereavement leave to be extended to miscarriages before 24 weeks 👏

• ‘The Retrievals’ returns with a new season today! 

• ‘What’s the root cause?’ idgaf actually 💊

Because clarity > clickbait, especially when it comes to your body.

xo,
Kristyn & The Rescripted Team