5 Ways To Find Calm In Your Menopause Chaos in 2016

Christmas can be a stressful time for people for various reasons. For the mature woman, fluctuating hormone levels that only a woman experiencing menopause will truly understand compound this stress.
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Bringing in the New Year can be a stressful time for people for various reasons.

For the mature woman, fluctuating hormone levels that only a woman experiencing menopause will truly understand compound this stress.

Everyone was inside enjoying the dinner and could not understand why I would not come in and join them. Little did they know that I was having hot flush after hot flush and all I wanted was to sit outside in the fresh air and cool down. I know they meant well, but I was not ready to explain my reason for being outside. Katie

A simple act of sitting in a crowded, warm room can be enough to set off a hot flush/flash or two. Over indulging in the lead up to Christmas, too many wines celebrating in the New Year or forgetting to take time out for you in this busy season, can send many women over the edge due to their raging hormones.

Here are five easy suggestions to help you find calm in your menopause chaos in 2016.

  • 1. Dress in layers

  • My suggestion to Katie was to dress in layers. No matter whether it is summer or winter, hot flushes/flashes can strike at the worst possible moment. There is nothing more frustrating than being trapped amongst people without a quick exit when a hot flush starts to erupt.

    By dressing in "easy to remove layers", you can minimize the extent of a hot flush/flash.

  • Give careful thought to what you wear before you leave the house and answer this simple question.


  • If I get a hot flush/flash, will I be able to remove a piece of clothing easily and quickly to stop myself from overheating?

    Remember, removing a cardigan that opens at the front is a lot easier than attempting to remove a turtleneck under a dress when a hot flush starts to emerge.

  • 2. Limit the alcohol
  • If you are progesterone deficient you will most likely be irritable, agitated, tired, depressed, and experience unpredictable behavior and anger outbursts.

    If you find yourself angry after an alcoholic drink or two it could be due to low progesterone levels. The liver detoxifies alcohol and if you are not able to break it down effectively anger outbursts can be suffered.

    You may find that alcohol relaxes you and helps takes the edge off the stress that can be experienced when going out to a work function, or even a family function. Your liver can only work so hard, though, so be easy on it and limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

    Be sure to drink plenty of water between drinks as well as a glass of water before going to bed.

  • 3. Learn to say NO more often
  • You cannot pour from an empty cup; remember to take care of yourself first.

    At first, this may sound a little selfish but you do have to look after yourself in order to be of any value to others.

    I had a client (Bea) who astounded me with the amount of events she attended. She was not only a client but also a friend. I would admire her strength and endurance while we were out. Little did I know that behind closed doors she was an emotional wreck.

    Bea came to see me one day in tears. She opened up to me that after each function she dragged herself to; once the evening was over she collapsed into the bed, desperate for sleep that never came. Night sweats that she thought she had under control came back with a vengeance. She was supposed to organize drinks and nibbles for the family for New Years and wanted a tonic to pick her up.

    My advice to Bea?

    Before trying any "tonic"
    • Ask for help!

  • Make or purchase a nourishing meal with lots of vegetables and salad (definitely not take away food)
  • Turn off the phone for a couple of hours
  • Go out and take a walk in the park.
  • I know that this may not be possible for many women to do. Bea was lucky that she was single and had no one else to worry about; hence, she was able to take time out to look after herself.

    The important piece of advice here is to pace yourself and not to let yourself be dragged down by trying to achieve too much in a short space of time.

  • 4. Try Maca

  • Maca is an adaptogenic herb that is cultivated in the central Peruvian Andes at 12-14,000 feet under harsh natural growing and weather conditions. If this herb can survive such conditions, it is well equipped to help any menopause woman in her sometimes tulmulterous journey.

    An adaptogenic is something that greatly improves your body's ability to adapt to stress, anxiety and fatigue. It does not take away the stress but assists you in trying to cope with the stress you are experiencing.

  • 5. Ask for help

  • My mother loves having all the family around to her place for Christmas Day. Every year she goes that extra mile to make it a day to remember. There are about 30 of us in total yet I am astounded that she does not ask for help.

    Now that I am older and wiser, I ring and ask what she needs help with and the relief in her voice is felt across the telephone wires. She was worried when she was going to find the time to do x, y and z.

    Ask for help!!

    If your family do nothing but come up with excuses as to why they cannot help you, then serve them tomato sandwiches for the next Christmas lunch, New Years Dinner or Thanksgiving.

    I assure you that next year they will help you, or even better; they will suggest you come to them for the next family gathering allowing you to relax and be served for the day!!

    Julie Dargan is a Nurse, Naturopath BHSc and has worked in the wellness industry for over 30 years. Julie's FREE 5 Day Kickstart Program is excellent to get you on the right track to help you lose weight and find hormonal harmony in the menopause. Sign up now and enjoy the free program in 2016. Julie recently released an exciting eBook that explores why diets do not work and how to get you in the correct mind frame to lose weight. Julie also has a Facebook page for women over 50 and looking for solutions to halt weight gain in the menopause.

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