By Womaness Editors 4-Minute Read
Pretty soon, women in all stages of menopause will be clamoring for an ingenious invention by Debbie Dickinson, Esq. and her daughter Markea: the Thermaband Zone, a wearable thermostat wristband that uses tech to detect changes in your temperature—then delivers cooling on the spot. (It can also warm you, if that’s your issue.)
This natural relief for thermal health problems came about after Debbie had her first hot flash at age 51 (“It felt like a personal inferno raging within!”) and was frustrated by the lack of tech solutions. Desperate for an answer, the Harvard Law benefits attorney and Wharton School lecturer partnered with Markea plus scientists, physicians, and engineers to create the smart cooling bracelet, available this spring.
Passionate about women's health, wellness, and normalizing menopause, Debbie also hosts Multigenerational Sisterhood, a Facebook community dedicated to empowering conversations around women’s health. A traveler, reader, and gardener (ask her about her affinity for orchids), Debbie is truly creating change for women in menopause...and we—and our night sweats—couldn’t be more grateful.
"I believe that midlife is really a new beginning."
First thing I do each morning
"The first thing I do each morning is say a short prayer of gratitude. Simply waking up is a privilege and I don't take it for granted."
Three things I always keep on my nightstand
"My nightstand always has three things: a devotional, usually Jesus Calling by Sarah Young; a bottle of water so I can get an early start on my goal to consume 12 glasses daily; and a phone charger. I also have a ceramic unicorn, which is a gift from my youngest daughter Averie to remind me of my originality, creativity, and belief in the extraordinary."
My go-to beauty hack or wellness ritual
"My wellness ritual is to intentionally nurture myself mentally, physically, and spiritually on a daily basis. I have found that a good night's rest makes a difference in my mental wellbeing. This is not always easy with fluctuating hormones that affect sleep, but it is vital. I find there are a few things I can do to assist with achieving quality sleep. Having a routine helps, so I usually get to bed at the same time, usually between 10:30 – 11 pm. I don't eat late, and cut back on electronics before bed. If I find that I have a lot on my mind, then I write down whatever it is and that typically helps me to relax and sleep. Being intentional about connecting with family and friends is also imperative for my wellbeing. For physical wellness, I workout each morning. I get it in before the demands and distractions of the day kick in. That's an early gift to me. Thankfully, a little goes a long way. Even 20 – 30 minutes of HIIT—high intensity interval training—is effective. I also incorporate strength training, stretching, walking, etc. Variety keeps me interested, yet challenged and gratified. For spiritual wellness, I prioritize prayer and worship to stay connected with my purpose, mission, and creator."
My inner age (the age I really feel) and why
"It depends. If I manage stress, eat right, exercise, and follow my daily wellness routine to rejuvenate mind, body, and soul, I feel 35 – 40 years old, with lots of energy and vitality—ready to conquer the world as I age gracefully. If I don't do those things, I feel overwhelmed, achy, fatigued, and wear the effects of aging! It's helpful to have an incentive to do what's best for me in order to feel my best.
I believe that midlife is really a new beginning. The changes we experience in our body is the flipside of puberty. As our reproductive years wind down, a meaningful season of renewal begins where we have an opportunity to focus on ourselves and enjoy the things that truly bring us pleasure. A season of limitless possibilities where we can tap into our experiences and wisdom to create new memories without inhibition or fear. We earned it!"
"As our reproductive years wind down, a meaningful season of renewal begins where we have an opportunity to focus on ourselves and enjoy the things that truly bring us pleasure."
Advice I would give to my younger self
"For so many years, fear was my motivator. Fear of failure. That fear incented me to strive for excellence, but was incredibly stressful. In hindsight, I would tell my younger self to relax more because she is more than enough. Enjoy the journey and savor the small moments. Life, after all, is a culmination of many small moments."
We don’t believe in “The Pause.” Tell us, what are you not pausing on?
“I totally agree that menopause is not a time to 'pause.' Instead, it's a time to lean in, dig in, and tap into our experiences, creative energy, resources, and wisdom, to create the solutions, realities, artistic expressions, and life we imagine. After working in the pharmaceutical industry, practicing law, raising children, lecturing, and being very active in my community, I am now pursuing my entrepreneurial aspirations to transform women's health. I started experiencing hot flashes at age 51 and desired a natural, noninvasive and discreet tech solution for immediate hot flash relief and realized that I was not alone. Having found no such solution, I partnered with my daughter to start Thermaband, Inc., a health-tech company, where we have worked with scientists, physicians, and engineers to create a smart bracelet, the Thermaband Zone, that provides thermal relief on demand with digital insights through a companion app. Incredibly, my life's work and experiences have prepared me for this moment and season of renewal, expectation, and ingenuity by harnessing wisdom and tenacity in a pursuit of transformative care for women who deserve more. The 'pause' exists only in our collective determination to no longer view menopause and midlife as a season of shame, isolation, and futility.”
Word that best describes your Womaness
“Blessed.”
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