How loss is a natural part of menopause
24 July, 2023
Conflicting emotions, brain fog, hot flushes, loss of libido, difficulty sleeping, chronic anxiety, heart palpitations, loss of interest – sounding familiar?
For some the challenges the menopause can bring can be severe and have a big impact on not only your everyday life but also the life of those closest to us.
We will all experience menopause in different ways and at different times. I know for me I felt many losses. I felt less attractive, a loss of control, a loss of self-esteem, a loss of confidence and drive, a loss of ‘being me’. At times it all felt so impossible and just too much to think about without my emotions engulfing me. I felt a loss of control over my body that used to behave in a fairly predictable way!!
Menopause is a time of intense change in a woman’s life, often triggering many different emotions, some of which can be uncomfortable, conflicting and difficult to understand and process. I felt a significant emotional loss, I felt as if I was lurching from one feeling to another, with a loss of control over ‘me’. My emotions would just suddenly ‘be there’, normally when I didn’t need them to be!! Unfortunately we can’t pick and choose which emotions we want to feel, and when we want to feel them!
A time of change – new stage of opportunity.
Instead of using these emotions as a barrier, try to use them as something that points you in the right direction of what action to take to move forward. Learn to sit and feel your emotions, don’t push them back down. Acknowledge what is going on for you, both physically and mentally and let that be ok.
Learning to understand your emotions rather than neglect and misunderstand them will give you the opportunity to use this time of transition to find a healthy and peaceful way forward.
Sleep well – get a good night’s sleep, if only I hear you cry! Try and establish a good, consistent sleep routine. Consider the temperature of the room.
Healthy diet – Eating a well-balanced diet has a multitude of benefits for your menopause and health. The right foods can help combat fatigue and give your energy levels the boost they need.
Exercise – You don’t have to run a marathon! Getting regular exercise can really help how you’re feeling, lift your mood, help you de-stress and give you more energy and motivation.
Time for you – spending time doing things you enjoy will have a beneficial effect on your symptoms and how you’re feeling. Whether that is going for a long walk with a friend or spending some much-needed time by yourself – without demands being made on you. These activities are really important for your wellbeing and relaxation.
Find support – Whether that means talking to a good friend or making an appointment with your Doctor to discuss your symptoms, remember you do not have to go through this alone. Talking about your feelings to someone you trust, who will just listen to how you’re feeling. Sometimes that acknowledgement of your feelings – both physically and mentally – can be the relief you need.
If this all sounds all too familiar to you please do contact me for a free consultation.
