Menopause is becoming a topic that more and more women are opening up about.
And in my opinion, it’s about damn time that this came to light. For something that 99.9% of women will face, you’d think there would be more scientific articles and sound advice for women to lean on. But sadly, there hasn’t been until recently.
For too long women have been told to “suck it up” and to just “deal with it”. Now there is a world supply of great advice from women who are currently there or have already completed their journey.
This article is coming from a woman who is currently in it, at the ripe age of 39.
- Getting better sleep – going to bed even 15 minutes earlier can help you manage symptoms such as mood swings, depression and anxiety. It’s common for the stress of life to be the heaviest when you’ve reached the range that perimenopause starts, having your hormones fluctuate can often throw fuel on a raging fire. Giving yourself time to REST can help give your body the calm needed to process stress and help you manage your emotions.
- Reviewing your food intake – perimenopause and menopause are prime times for sensitivities to take hold. For me, this is when I developed a dairy sensitivity but this can include becoming gluten intolerant as well. Start recording what you eat during the day and see if you experience any symptoms after eating certain foods. You don’t have to go crazy and weigh your foods down to the gram. Just note if you had bread for breakfast and if you experienced stomach discomfort afterward. Experiencing hot flashes after consuming alcohol? This is something that is also extremely common.
- Becoming active – heading out for a walk is a great habit that can help manage perimenopause symptoms. Find a group fitness class that provides an inclusive environment. Don’t feel comfortable being active out of the house, online training is also a great option!
- Communicating with those closest to you about your symptoms – this is so important! Your significant other may want to support you but may not know exactly what you need. They may not even understand what menopause is! Take some time to educate them from the beginning, take them along on your journey. Doing so can help ensure that they can respond to your needs and help sympathize with you as you’re going through the dips and valleys of menopause.
Menopause is something that we need to talk about more and loud.
That’s the only way that the women following us will feel more secure and comfortable as they begin their own journeys.
LIFT – Life Inspired Fitness Training LLC
