As you’re probably aware, menopause can be quite the bombshell. Suddenly your body’s greatest defender becomes its greatest adversary. What’s more, it can sometimes be accompanied by physical changes that can leave you feeling less than your absolute best.
While you might experience an overall increase in energy during this time, it can also bring with it a nasty case of depression that is more common than usual. It’s therefore essential that you get some help from family doc, friend, or whomever you trust most to keep your mental faculties intact.
Menopause isn’t just about the biological changes that your body goes through. It’s about you adapting to life changes that can leave you feeling vulnerable and in need of support.
Thankfully it’s easy to bounce back from menopause. Research shows that 90% of women reported that their life after menopause is better than their life before. So if you’re feeling down, you’re certainly not alone in this. However, it’s still essential that you get help to ensure that you don’t go overboard.
1. Find A Supportive Partner
Before you dive into lifestyle changes, it’s important to acknowledge that there’s a significant part of your psychological make-up that needs to change in order to feel healthier. One of the best things that you can do for yourself during these coming years is establish a supportive partnership. Whether you choose to accept this change consciously or not, it’s essential that you find a partner who encourages you to eat well, stay active, and live a life free of fear. Your partner can also help you get over the inevitable bad days that come with peri-menopause and into the good days that make up the vast majority of your time spent during this phase of your life. It’s important to acknowledge that while it can be wonderful to have supportive partners, it doesn’t mean that you have to be with someone who agrees with your every dietary choice and exercise routine. It simply means that they understand your decision to make changes for the better and are there to back you up when you need them. When you establish a strong bond with a partner, especially in the early stages of dating, they may see you as a person who can be trusted to make good decisions. So if you’re looking to change your life for the better in the coming years, take some time to find a partner who supports your decision.
2. Try Something New
It’s well-established that lifestyle changes can help to reduce your hot-flashes and other menopausal symptoms. What’s more, recent research has shown that vitamin D can also boost your body’s natural painkillers which makes it a useful addition to your drug regimen. Some of the best things that you can do to start shedding those unwanted pounds is by exploring new activities that you can enjoy and that will get your body moving. Whether you choose to accept this change consciously or not, it’s important to acknowledge that it’s a permanent one. Your body doesn’t just wake up one day and decide that it’s tired of protecting you and wants to let you know through all your sweats that you’re a hot mess. So while it can be wonderful to start seeing the shape that you want to see in the mirror, it can also be somewhat disheartening to know that your body isn’t cooperating as much as you’d like it to.
3. Change The Way You Eat
Eating food that you love and preparing it in creative ways can help to make the most of your time during these coming years. If you choose to accept this change consciously or not, it’s important to acknowledge that while food has a significant impact on your life, it doesn’t have to be something that you feel bad about. You can prepare food that is high in fiber and low in sugar which provides your body with the nutrients that it needs while also keeping your mind at ease.
So what type of food should you prepare? For starters, try out new foods that you’ve never tasted before. If you’re looking for a change from solid foods to dairy products, then try out a vegan diet. There are literally hundreds of plant-based foods that you can incorporate into your diet. The important thing to keep in mind is that this is a lifestyle change that you’re making and that it’s not dictated by biology. While it can be incredibly challenging to make the switch from eating foods that you know to avoid to foods that you enjoy, it will undoubtedly be worth it in the end.
4. Take Advantage Of Free Clinics
One of the best things that you can do for yourself during these coming years is to take advantage of all of the free clinics that you can find. Whether you choose to accept this change consciously or not, it’s important to acknowledge that your body doesn’t have to be perfect to benefit from free healthcare. You simply have to need it.
Many healthcare providers offer simple screening methods for the common ailments that occur during menopause. If you’re doing ok, then you may not need to see a specialist. However, if you’re experiencing pain or if the simple tests don’t give you the results that you’re looking for, then it’s time to see a specialist. Even if you have insurance, they may not cover all of the costs associated with specialist visits. Luckily, there are several different clinics that you can attend for free that will help to reduce your stress and get you back on track. It’s vital that you find the one that works best for you.
5. Try Stress-Reducing Techniques
While it can be incredibly challenging to make the mental switch from fearing for your health to feeling grateful for your good fortune, it is possible. As previously mentioned, depression is more common during this time. One of the best things that you can do to reduce your stress is to implement stress-reducing techniques. For example, you can take a walk, call a friend, or listen to some smooth jazz. Your body’s natural stress hormone, cortisol, can also be lowered by getting some sunlight during the day. So make sure that you get at least five minutes of sunlight each hour that you spend outside. If this is something that you struggle with, then it may be best to seek help from a professional counselor. Stress can also be reduced through the use of certain herbs (cat’s claw, St. John’s wort, or SAMe) or supplements (venerine, ginger, or olive leaf). By using these natural products, you may feel that you’re helping to maintain a healthy balance between your mental and physical health. You may also choose to try a combination of these products to find the one that works best for your body.
6. Get Enough Sleep
It’s well-established that getting enough sleep aids in your nightly regimen can help to reduce your hot-flashes and other menopausal symptoms. It can also help to maintain a healthy cholesterol level and blood pressure which can in turn reduce your risk of developing heart disease and other ailments. Getting at least seven hours of sleep each night can also help to boost your body’s production of melatonin which gives you that good night’s sleep (and healthy hormones) that you crave. It’s thus important that you eat food that helps to promote better sleep and that you get at least seven hours of sleep each night. It’s also important to drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and to promote better sleep. Finally, make sure that your room is well-ventilated which can reduce the effects of mildew and other gases that may be present in your bedsheets. These are just some of the things that you need to keep in mind if you’re looking to sleep better during these coming years.
7. Reduce Stressful Living
One of the best things that you can do for yourself during these coming years is to reduce the stress that you’re facing. It’s well-established that stress can cause you to gain weight and it also produces chemicals in your body that can cause you to feel lower than your best. While it can be difficult to live a less-stressed life, it’s certainly worth it in the end. You can also choose to seek help from a professional counselor or life coach who can help you to reduce the stress that you’re facing. If this is something that you struggle with, then it may be best to consider seeking help from a trusted friend or family member who can offer an objective opinion. Additionally, make sure that you maintain a healthy diet that reduces stress and promotes weight loss. If you choose to accept this change consciously or not, it’s important to acknowledge that this is a permanent one and that you’re not going to go back to your old ways. This is why it’s so important to establish a new way of living during these coming years.