MENOPAUSE - THE MIDLIFE AWAKENING!

Many women see menopause as a confirmation that they are getting older and we are. But its also a time when we can see this change in our “self” as a new and hopeful beginning to an even better future. It’s all how you look at things. I am happy to report that I am 46 years old and proud to be in full blown menopause! It’s going to happen whether you like it or not so embrace it. And if you embrace it, this can be the best time of your life! Embracing who we are at each moment in our lives puts us on a path to a happier healthier life.

I was lucky to have a mother who never talked about having a period or menopause negatively. Many years after her death her words still echo in my head, “Maria, if a woman didn't get her period there wouldn't be any creation of life on the planet.” My mother also said that menopause was a great time because it was a new phase of life...which is why I refer to it as a "mid life awakening." Studies show that young girls who are taught to respect their cycles have little or no PMS. So if you have daughters try not to refer to their monthly cycle as “the curse.” All our thoughts pave the way for the direction our life takes so be mindful of what you are thinking and saying both to yourself and others.

Our frustrations with our life are more intense during the menstrual cycle so what comes up for you at that time of the month can teach you what you need to work on. Dr. Christiane Northrup, who has written the bible on menopause called, "The Wisdom of Menopause," (if you don’t have this book, buy it and give it as a gift to all the women you know!) has said that the issues you ignore can come up later in life, and the degree of emotional distress will be worse if you spend years not paying attention to the signs. This can lead to anxiety and depression. Mind, body and spirit are all intertwined. Menopause is a great opportunity to address issues and make some necessary changes. If something or someone is not working for you, it’s time to detox and throw out the trash! There are endless stories about mid-life changes….marriages break up after 20 and 30 years, women go back to school, indulge their passions, take up hobbies, change their appearances, etc. It’s really a coming out party.


Remember that menopause starts after you have not had a period for one year. Peri-menopause, which is the years prior to the cessation of your period, is a great time to take a reality check. Here are a few questions to think about:

What is your diet like?
Do you exercise?
How are your relationships?
Are you truly happy and if not, what would make you happy?

Taking stock of your overall emotional, physical and spiritual health is so important. I have had some hot flashes recently but have not had any mood swings or weight gain for 5 years leading up to menopause, and nothing during. I attribute that to the choices I make every day. I use a treadmill 5 days a week, lift weights for 10 minutes a day, 3 times a week, and practice yoga and meditation. You don’t have to sit crossed legged and meditate, just take the time to sit alone for 15 minutes a day and breathe deeply. It will help you center yourself. Being quiet is something we don’t do often enough. I also eat a mostly vegetarian diet. I indulge hobbies and have a positive outlook on life. Even when I am stressed or sad over something, I try to reserve those emotions for the things in life that warrant them…meaning I don’t sweat the small stuff. This doesn’t happen overnight, it’s a process.

A few suggestions I would like to offer on diet: Remember, small changes bring big victories, be mindful of what you are doing each day when you eat. And don’t use the word diet; it sets you up for failure…refer to it as a “lifestyle.” Read labels and stay away from high fructose corn syrup and partially hydrogenated anything. Refined carbohydrates such as white sugar, white bread, white pasta simply make you fat if you eat too much of it. They also have a negative effect on your mood. Opt for complex carbohydrates such as grains, seeds, fruits and vegetables. When you do something good for your body, you just feel good all around. Take a good food-based multi-vitamin for woman. I like New Chapter Women’s Daily. Get enough of the omega 3 fatty acids which are found in flax seeds, walnuts, and wild salmon. Omega 3 fatty acids are essential to human health but cannot be manufactured by the body. They help reduce inflammation in the body and are also good for the heart. Omega 3’s have been said to help with the anxiety and mood swings that women experience from the hormone rollercoaster. Inflammation is a cause of an endless list of health problems including heart disease, cancer, alzheimer’s and all inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis and all the “itis's”. I like Nordic Naturals Omega 3’s to combat all of these.

There are herbs that you can take as well. Black cohosh, dong quai are helpful but I always recommend talking to you doctor and seeing a good herbalist before you take anything.

Finally, try to enjoy your life and think about what really makes you happy…take chances, indulge hobbies and passions even if everyone thinks it’s silly or crazy. Make your life the best it can be and turn your mid-life crisis into a mid-life awakening!