Tired, irritated, having hot flushes? Whether it’s menopause, peri-menopause, or another hot summer’s night, it’s not fun. Yes, menopause is inevitable – but there are some simple tips that can help you make the most of the changes your body is going through, rather than keep on suffering.
Five Top Tips
- Drink water. Lots of it. In Chinese Medicine it’s the single most important thing you can do for your health: not only does it re-hydrate you physically but it also helps you think straight. Stop caffeine and alcohol if they aren’t doing you any favours – you won’t miss them as much as you think you will!
- Avoid too much sugar. Sugar gives a quick energy fix, followed by a slump. This is not going to help.
- Prioritise your sleep. Get an early night. Have a power nap. Get everything ready the evening before so you can set the alarm later. If you’re waking up hot in the middle of the night, make sure you put time aside to catch up on as much sleep as you can – lack of sleep leads us to choose sugar and carbs during the day, which starts an energy peak/dip cycle.
- Exercise. Even if you’re tired, a walk outside will help. Regular exercise makes you feel better about yourself, both physically, mentally and emotionally.
- Reduce stress. Ok, this is simpler said than done, but given that stress is one of the biggest causes of insomnia and leads to irritability, it’s worth working out what your trigger points are and then doing something to stop them (btw acupuncture is very good at dealing with stress…)
And a bonus tip? Find something you love to do. A lot of women experience a creative surge in the years coming up to and during menopause, so if you’ve always wanted to paint, dance or sing…. now’s the time to do it!