Menopause is known as "the change" because it marks the period when a woman's body goes through some life altering changes that may have physical, psychological, or mental side effects. Menopause marks the end of the menstrual cycle, but your body might take between one and ten years to prepare for this eventuality; this stage is called perimenopause. As your body prepares for this major change, the production of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone is suddenly disrupted, and hormone levels become imbalanced. This leads to strange behaviors in the body, like sudden intense periods of heat which leave you flushed and dripping in sweat.
Menopause symptoms are unpleasant for any woman, but stress can exacerbate these symptoms. When you are stressed, your adrenal glands release cortisol. If cortisol remains in the body for a long period of time, then it will have an impact on the amount of estrogen and progesterone that is produced, causing further imbalance. De-stressing is therefore a must.
How to De-stress in Perimenopause to Balance Hormone Levels
To alleviate the exhausting and distressing symptoms of menopause, you must try to balance hormone levels in your body. Being stressed will only keep your hormones imbalanced for longer. Follow these tips and try to avoid unnecessary discomfort:
Make time for yourself
Remember that it is you who is going through this difficult and unavoidable phase of life, so make some time for yourself to relax. Try to put aside “your time” in the evening where you can do something you enjoy. This can be as simple as reading a few chapters of your book, or watching TV. Let your mind be involved in something other than your work or home stresses.
Indulge in a massage or other complementary treatments
Indulge in a full body massage, soak away your stresses in an aromatherapy bath or treat your fabulous nails to a makeover - whichever treatment you choose, it should allow you and your muscles to relax. Massages in particular are beneficial because they promote healthy blood flow, which leaves you feeling rejuvenated.
Do aerobic exercise
Any activity that gets your heart pumping will help in relieving stress because it produces endorphins in the body which give the feeling of wellbeing. Try to get at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise a day. Run, walk, cycle, dance, swim; the choice is endless.
Practice yoga or meditation
These are the most effective ways of de-stressing and your body will reap huge benefits if you participate in either one. Both encourage your brain to slip into a relaxed state due to the focus on breathing, reversing the effects of stress. Both require practice, and it is advised that you seek the aid of a teacher if you are a beginner. Once you have mastered the yoga poses, or the art of mediation, then you will be able to do this on your own at home.
Stretch regularly
Static stretching is, surprisingly, a great way to de-stress. Try to concentrate on the stretch rather than the other issues that fill your brain. Stretching will stimulate receptors in the brain which in turn will decrease the amount of cortisol in your system. Hold each stretch for 10-15 seconds.
Recommendations
Going through menopause can be a distressing and frustrating time, so it is important that you eliminate any emotional state that could possibly make it even more unbearable. Tackle your high stress levels and rebalance your hormones. Follow this link to find out more about other ways to handle hormone imbalance and what else can impact on it.
