Menopause

Stress is a wake-up call for women in their 40s and 50s to do things differently.

Many women are surprised when they experience stress differently during their menopause years than when they were younger. Hormonally-induced bouts of menopause anxiety, insomnia, brain fog and mood swings can create sudden, intense stressful experiences.

To add to the mix, many of us are working outside the home, and have become the "filling" inside the sandwich of two generations - our children and our elderly parents. This situation can require us to care for what can seem like - 'everyone'! Nature has orchestrated a special opportunity for another group of us to learn a few life lessons by giving us hormonally-challenged teenagers at the same time that we're learning to cope with our own hormonal surges.

Stress can affect your body with increased muscle tension, racing heart, increased sweat, headache and upset stomach, in the short term. Over time, it raises the level of the hormone cortisol, which increases body fat, and eventually adrenal gland burn-out that leads to no energy and ultimately illness. Chronic stress destroys marriages and relationships, and it erodes the joy of living.

Stress affects your emotions by generating, or at least aggravating, anxiety, depression, and hopelessness.

Stress affects your mind with panic and inability to think clearly.

When stress ruins your peace of mind, you're unable to live your life's purpose to contribute to others and the world, or to see and feel the beauty and the blessings that are all around you. Ignoring stress only magnifies and entrenches it deeper into your life.

In fact, the only control you have over stress is your response to it. That includes choosing to be kind to yourself when you find yourself suddenly in the middle of it.

The perception of stress is an individual thing. You already know from your own experiences that what's stressful for one person is a joy, or simply a challenge for another person. However, what's not universally known is that stress can almost always be alleviated by taking time for yourself in a way that's meaningful to you, without guilt or obligation.

Women in particular, are reluctant to take time for themselves on a regular basis because our society tells us to give until we hurt. Society's definition of a good mother or a good daughter is: 'She gave and gave and never thought of herself.' Unfortunately, that's also a description used to describe the deceased at too many funerals of women who died before their time.

What can you say 'no' to? Here's a start: if someone wants you to do something you don't want to do - and no lives are in danger - just say no! No guilt! You'll be setting healthy boundaries for yourself and teaching others how to treat you. No one has the right to expect more from you than you're willing to give.

Below are 12 simple, effective de-stressors that you can start using now:

Take a walk in natureDo aerobics exercises for 30 to 40 minutes - take a class, get on the treadmill - use your best judgment and choose exercise that's right for your bodyPet or brush your cat or dogPractice meditation for 15 to 30 minutes every morning or eveningPractice your favorite yoga posesUse Emotional Freedom Techniques aka 'Tapping' - Check http://www.YouTube.com for short videos. See how you can tap along with someone else's issues and get benefits for yourself when you set your intention first. You may want to work with a practitioner to deal with deeper issues.While you're on You Tube, search for 'funny videos' and let a good belly laugh or two distract you from your challenges for awhile - you can get videos of babies, people falling, people getting scared - whatever makes you laugh! No guilt!Play your guitar or piano or other musical instrumentListen to music that is relaxing for youSoak for 20 minutes in a warm Epsom salts bath with a drop or two of your favorite essential oil e.g. geranium, neroli or lavender.Enjoy a cup of chamomile tea 30 minutes before bedPlace a drop or two of lavender essential oil on each end of your pillowcase before you go to sleep.

To prevent stress, sometimes you may need to get outside your comfort zone and ask for help from your children, your spouse, family, close friends, or hire some extra help.

There are lots of ways to de-stress even during your menopause years. The only catch is...you have to pick one, or more, and actually do it!

Wendy Vineyard is a holistic health practitioner, lifestyle coach and wellness journalist. She specializes in inspiring and empowering women to thrive during menopause naturally - without drugs or added hormones. Are natural remedies the best way to handle your menopause transition? You decide. http://www.naturalmenopausenow.com/
http://www.facebook.com/NaturalMenopauseNow

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