"My professional self-esteem hit the floor. Suddenly I find myself being overcome with weepiness at the most inappropriate times at work with mood swings and sudden memory relapses." Michelle B.
Does the above statement resonate with you? When I relay this insight to my clients, many of them were relieved to hear that they were not alone in their symptoms.
One simple modality that has found to be very helpful in easing the symptoms commonly associated with menopause, such as easing stress and anxiety, is meditation. If you would like to know more about how meditation can help with your menopause symptoms here is a great article, "What Meditation can do for Your Mind, Body and Spirit.
When many people think of meditation they immediately envisage yogis or chanting, or simply dismiss it as beyond their ability to successfully achieve the results they are looking for.
Meditation can be difficult to understand if you are feeling overwhelmed. Many women can feel isolated due to family commitments, time factors, money constraints or simply not knowing where to find the correct information.
I can remember the first time I tried to meditate. I was sitting in a room with other men and women and trying my hardest to meditate. The session went for one hour and despite all my good intentions, I was unable to find any solace in the session. Some people were gushing how great they were feeling but I just was not connecting the same way that they were.
I am so glad I did not give up that day.
Now that I have understood a few of the basics when it comes to meditation I am able to apply some simple techniques and by meditating just 10 minutes a day I feel more relaxed throughout the day.
"Meditation does not take away the day to day problems but what it does do is helps me to cope better with each problem that may arise in my day." Cathy J.
Mindfulness in May
Would you like one piece of advice that you can do to assist you with these emotions? Do you have 10 spare minutes every day?
Mindfulness in May is coming up. What is Mindfulness in May?
"It takes just 10 minutes a day to bring more focus and effectiveness into your daily life. Join a global community of people bringing mindfulness meditation into their lives and making a positive impact on the lives of others."
Just 10 minutes a day, that is all.
Better still, the money raised from this challenge goes towards building clean water projects in developing countries.
I have no affiliate links with the group, just want to spread the word on this challenge due to the two-fold effect of helping communities in developing countries and helping women find relief in their menopause symptoms.
Meditation is free and easy to do in the comfort of your own home. I sometimes find myself meditating while having my bath at night or walking the dog in the morning. It is my time and so many women have trouble finding time to be present, to let the troubles of the day be forgotten.
Forgetting your troubles for just 10 minutes a day will not make them go away and it will not mean that they have lessened in any way. What will change is how you respond to each challenge.
As I am sitting and writing this article I am looking at my son's origami creations on the floor. He sees them as creations; I see them as a mess. Is it worth getting upset at the origami? Letting it take over my day. The mess will still be there. If I clear it away with the feeling of frustration, or with compassion, the mess will still be cleared. As I sit here finishing this article, I have decided to leave it where it is. Our children are with us for such a short time. There will be a day when they have left the family home and start living their own lives, when I will yearn for some sign of their presence in our home.
That realization brings me great peace. Meditation has given me that insight. The mess was still the same mess, but how I responded and allowed to affect my day is the difference between enjoying my day or allowing my day to be marred in any way.
I would love it if you joined me in May for Mindful in May Meditation. Here is a link to my page if you would like to learn more about this wonderful campaign.
Julie Dargan is a Nurse, Naturopath (BHSc) who helps women lessen their symptoms of the menopause through dietary and lifestyle changes. Julie has a FREE 5 DAY Kickstart Guide to help you get Rid of the Hot Flushes & Wake up with with less aches and pains. If you would like a copy of this FREE 20+ Day Guide click here to sign up.