Managing the Menopause

Managing The Menopause
What can be done to make things easier?

Eating habits:

Eat foods high in phyto-oestrogens (i.e. soy products) cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussel sprouts cabbage and cauliflower as well as flaxseed. Also, favour legumes, whole wheat as well as fruits and vegetables.
Avoid or considerably reduce hot beverage, caffeine and alcohol intake, and spicy meals.
Reduce excess salt intake.
Drink lots of water.
Eat more small meals daily to avoid activating your metabolism.

Physical activity:

Studies show that women with sedentary lives are at greater risk of moderate or even severe hot flushes compared to women who exercise regularly.
If you don't already exercise, incorporate three one-hour sessions of gentle to moderate exercise per week.
Weight-bearing exercises will build bone mass.

Avoid:

Extremely high temperatures inside or out.
Prolonged sun exposure.
Hot showers or baths.
Sudden temperature changes such as going out into the sun from an air conditioned office.
Synthetic fibre clothing.
Cigarettes.

During Menopause, many factors can cause mood swings, but where do you start?

Learn to prioritise the elements of your life, develop concrete strategies to achieve your objectives and start saying no to the things that have lesser or no value to YOU.
Simplify your life and take time for yourself.
Commit yourself to nourishing your body with a balanced diet of wholesome, natural foods.
Emphasising fruits to cleanse your body of toxins and vegetables to provide a source of carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals (healing/health promoting compounds) and fibre.
Intellectually, you know that too much caffeine, too much salt and junk food is bad for you. Moderate or eliminate some of these products and get rid of the guilt and self-destructive feelings associated with them.
Nourish your emotions by doing things for yourself that you enjoy (i.e. walking, reading, gardening, yoga or similar activities).
Supplement with vitamins, minerals and herbs to hasten improvement.