Why Midlife Needs More Parties
The science of sisterhood, celebration, and why together is always better.
Today, as I reflect on our most recent Hormone House Party, we’re taking a moment to reflect on why we throw them at all.
Yes, they’re fun.
Yes, they’re irreverent.
But behind the laughter and real talk is something serious: a mission to rewrite the story of midlife together.
Why community matters more than ever in midlife
Research shows that social connection is as vital as sleep, movement, and diet for long-term health. For women in particular, the absence of connection—what we call loneliness—has been linked to increased cortisol, higher rates of depression, and even cardiovascular risk.
Studies suggest that oxytocin, the “bonding hormone,” rises when we gather in safe, supportive environments. This can dampen stress responses, boost mood, and even help regulate estrogen and cortisol levels.
In contrast, chronic loneliness triggers inflammation and metabolic dysfunction, accelerating biological aging.
What the science tells us
- A 2021 review in Nature Aging found that social integration significantly reduced menopausal symptom burden.
- Studies from the UCLA Loneliness Project show that shared emotional experiences improve immune regulation—even after one gathering.
- And data from Blue Zones—those rare global communities with exceptional longevity—consistently point to intergenerational, communal living as a core driver of women’s wellbeing.
So yes—getting together matters. Talking matters. Dancing matters. Laughing matters.
It’s not “just a party.” It’s biology in motion.
The movement behind the music
MPOWDER’s Hormone House Parties are about bringing the science of sisterhood to life. Whether online, at festivals, or in small community circles—each event is a chance to reframe midlife, to rehumanize health, and to make some joyful noise.
The most powerful thing we can do in midlife?
Show up for ourselves—and for each other.
