Although getting older is definitely a privilege I am trying to embrace, I do know that for women getting older isn’t always the easiest. Having seen a few family members go through the menopause I know it can come with some really horrible side-effects. Of course, everyone is affected differently but I thought I would put together some tips for helping you deal with it. I’ve also had a sneak peek of a really good book due out in April called The Menopausal Godmother, which looks like it would be well worth a read too! The more help the better, and sometimes just reading up more about The Menopause can help with the whole anxiety of it all.
Watch For Foods That makes You Feel Better/Worse
Although there is no such thing as good or bad foods, there are definitely foods that can trigger us feeling poorly or make us feel better. If you’re experiencing on-going menopause symptoms it can be worth keeping an eye on what you’re eating and what makes you feel different. I’m not a fan of restrictions or silly fads, but if something you’re eating makes you feel poorly then it could be worth swapping it to something else. Keep a food diary and if you spot any patterns, try swapping food and see what happens.
Embrace It
Once you’re in the throes of the menopause, it’s here to stay! Embrace it, speak to your family about your feelings and resign yourself to dealing with it for a few weeks. The more upset and angry you get about the disruption it is causing, the worse you’ll feel. Get a fan next to the bed to deal with those night sweats, treat you to some new cotton bedding and have a shower before bed. Anything to make you feel more comfortable. Speak to your family about how you are feeling & the mood swings you might experience, let them know it’s nothing personal and that it is something you need to deal with together as a family.
Communicate
If things get bad then don’t be afraid to reach out to your doctor – after all, that’s what they’re there for. Things like HRT do help many women so it is worth speaking to a medical professional and seeking their advice. Also, don’t be scared to search for online communities and chat to other people who are going through the same thing, after all a problem shared is a problem halved and speaking to someone else about how they’re feeling & what they’re doing to cope can really help. Don’t feel embarrassed or shy, women have to go through this process and if there’s help out there, then don’t be afraid to ask for it.
