Society seems to view menopause in a negative way and in many respects it is sold in a way that is not positive. I firmly endorse that what you believe is what you create, so it follows that if you believe something is going to be difficult and tough to get through, it will be. It’s all about changing the perspective of how you see a natural transition of the body. I encourage people to see it as a journey back to you; a time where you work with your body, rather than seeing your body as the enemy and being at odds with yourself. The more you dread or think badly of menopause, the more likely it is your experience will be like that. What you are looking for is a peaceful transition through menopause where you can experience it from a calm and centred place. Now, don’t get me wrong, menopause can certainly be a challenging time physically, mentally and emotionally. However, try to see it as a temporary state for your body to be in.
Are you struggling with menopause or is it liberating?
So that leads me to ask you a few questions. Are you struggling through menopause or is it something on the horizon that you are dreading? Or perhaps you cannot wait for it to happen, so you can perhaps say goodbye to migraines and heavy periods? Or you might be sailing through it and actually finding it quite liberating. My latest blog is particularly aimed at those of you who are finding it difficult to cope and are finding it has negative repercussions in the workplace and at home. I seem recently to be working with women who fall into this bracket and are terrified about the onset or are living through a menopausal nightmare. In my latest article from Becoming Aware, I define the menopause, discuss common symptoms, the changes you can make to your lifestyle so it becomes a time for self-discovery and transformation and particularly emphasise the way you perceive it.
What is the menopause?
Menopause is when your periods stop due to lower hormone levels. It usually affects women between the ages of 45 and 55, but it can happen earlier.
Menopause is the result of changes in the levels of a hormone called oestrogen. It generally happens between the ages of 45-55, with the average being 51. It can also happen earlier, sometimes as the result of surgery or medical treatments.
A natural and inevitable transition
Menopause is a natural transition that every woman goes through. It signals the end of the reproductive years and the onset of a new phase in your life. Change comes both physically and emotionally and it can be scary. I try to help my clients by getting them to embrace the voyage and see it as a liberating experience.
Common symptoms associated with menopause
• Irregular periods
• Hot flushes
• Night sweats
• Sleeping issues
• Mood changes – anxiety, irritability
• Weight gain
• Headaches and migraines
• Fatigue
• Decreased libido
• Dry and/or itchy skin
• Thinning hair
• Loss of bladder control
Changes to your lifestyle
Modifications to your lifestyle may help to alleviate menopause symptoms and have the bonus of improving your overall health.
• Maintain a balanced diet – whole foods with lots of fruit and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds etc. with the elimination of processed foods
• Keep hydrated – regulates temperature, reduces bloating, helps skin health, boosts energy levels
• Regularly exercise – walking, running, swimming, cycling, golf, tennis, etc.
• Participate in mindfulness – meditation, breathing exercises, yoga, Pilates etc.
• Prioritise sleep – create a relaxing bedtime routine including avoiding eating late and avoiding certain drink such as coffee and alcoholic beverages
• Avoid cigarettes, drugs and excessive alcohol
A time for self-discovery and transformation
By prioritising self-care, nurturing relationships with family, friends and of course your partner, exploring new hobbies and interests, this inevitable transition can be empowering and fulfilling, a time for self-discovery and transformation. It is an opportunity to pause and consider what is important in your life. And yet if you resist menopause, you will make it your enemy, particularly if you consider it as going to be difficult and hard work. It doesn’t have to be like that! There is a great saying, ‘When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.’ Maybe this is a great way to view menopause and really be open to a different experience. You can’t change what is going to happen to you, but you can change how you feel about it and how it affects you.
How can Becoming Aware help you get through menopause?
In essence, I find menopause is a time to bring up old ways of being, outdated beliefs and patterns that need to be released. It’s about empowering yourself and your body, taking life by the horns and moving forward to a different way of looking at life. You will never be able to control what happens to your body during menopause, but you can have a say over how you feel about it and how it affects you. I really do feel that from all of this and my own experience, it’s about coming back to yourself. Many women have had countless years of living life with a focus on everyone else but themselves. Menopause seems to prompt a lot of women to start thinking about me, but by this time, they have often lost themselves. It then feels like a massive negative wobble when it could be seen as a journey of self-discovery. If you are struggling, please call me, Karen on 07766 427966 or email karen@becomingaware.co.uk.
