How to Embrace Menopause Naturally

Menopause is known by many names including "change of life," and is commonly associated with hot flashes and moody behavior. Countless jokes and horror stories consistently circulate causing extra anxiety in women entering this phase. While there is some truth to the discomforts experienced during menopause, it's important to avoid losing yourself to hysterics. Embracing menopause naturally can help alleviate stress and prepare you for a new beginning.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Join forces with well-adjusted post-menopausal women. Surrounding yourself with positive influences can keep you motivated and focused on embracing your future. Connect with these strong women in your personal life and on the internet to form a wide base of sisterly support. Ask questions to real people to help you prepare for the emotional and physical changes that menopause brings.

2. Make a commitment to stay positive about menopause. There's a big difference between giving a half-hearted effort and giving a full-fledged effort. It may be necessary to distance yourself from negative influences, or even confront others about their harmful rhetoric regarding menopause. Use discretion when making corrections to avoid being labeled as moody or oversensitive. Learning to laugh at harmless jokes or comments instead of retaliating, can make it easier to accept your situation.

3. Read medical literature about menopause to avoid clinging to myths and horror stories. Knowing the correct functions, terminology and statistics can help you block out inaccurate or harmful information. Ask your doctor for pamphlets and book recommendations to help you better understand menopause. Make trips to the library or bookstore to select books that address your questions. Visiting online sites such as Medline Plus and Mayo Clinic, can give you access to reputable menopause information.

4. Indulge in stress-relieving hobbies to maintain emotional wellness. Focus your attention inward to help you tap into creativity and interests that you never even knew you possessed. Use this time to explore your adventurous nature that took a back seat to raising children. Examples of constructive hobbies include dancing, pottery making and scrapbooking. Consider taking academic classes or opening your own business to realize dreams that may have been placed on the back burner.

5. Engage in regular physical activity. Nurturing the mind-body connection can make it easier to embrace menopause naturally. Exercise reduces stress, helps ward off diseases and strengthens your muscles. Aim to get 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily to optimize its positive emotional and physical effects. Ask your doctor to help you create an exercise routine that takes your overall health and lifestyle into consideration.

6. Follow a dietary regimen that includes a wide range of healthy foods. Increase your calcium and fiber intake while decreasing your sodium and fat intake. Avoid eating spicy and hot foods, as these are common hot flash triggers. Drink at least eight glasses of water each day to help alleviate hot flashes and to stay hydrated.

Tips & Warnings

• Celebrating your entrance into menopause with a party can make the event more exciting. It can also motivate friends that are afraid to embrace menopause. Perform Kegel exercises to benefit your urinary function by strengthening your pelvic floor.
• Keep your doctor informed of your emotional and physical state. It may be necessary to consider using medications in some cases. Avoid blaming your mood swings on menopause. This makes others more likely to engage in the same behavior.

References

• Mount Auburn Hospital: Menopause: A transition to embrace
• Menopause Insight
• LVHN: Embrace Life after Menopause. Focus on You!

Resources

• Menopause Forum
• Celebrate Menopause
• Medline Plus

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