Menopause Stressing You Out? Three Tips To Try!
Menopause (and perimenopause) can be stressful for many women: the changes in hormones can lead to dropping energy levels, disrupted sleep, thinning hair, weight gain and more. The good news is that small steps can make a difference! I get asked about menopause-related weight gain and waning energy levels as well as how to stay positive during this time in life, and want to share with you the secrets that have worked for me!
- Keep a consistent bedtime schedule. Going to bed at the same time every night is beneficial in so many ways: It prepares your body and mind for rest, helping you to fall asleep. It provides a timeframe for rest that may help you stay asleep for longer. And, as we all know, sleep is VITAL to overall health and well-being, from energy and mental clarity to a less-cranky, more-positive outlook - no matter what your age! Try my tips on creating a comfortable sleep environment, and make a sleep schedule a priority in 2025!
- Shut down the kitchen. I have been doing this for decades, and (along with daily exercise!) I can attribute it to helping me keep my weight and energy levels in check. For our household, the kitchen is closed up at 8pm. That means mindless snacking is off the table, and those extra calories that you most likely didn’t need (and probably didn’t really want) are put to the side. This also helps to promote better rest, as your body isn’t focused on processing that food. The plus side is you get to wake up hungry and refreshed, and enjoy a protein-rich breakfast to start the day off right!
- Move every single day. In my Denise Austin Programs and Challenges, I often have a “rest day” to let your body recover. That means skipping the 30-minute Cardio Dance Session, but that doesn’t mean just doing nothing. Movement is proven to be beneficial to your mood, your outlook, your heart health, your waistline, your flexibility and resiliency… The benefits go on and on. So I rarely take a “rest day” - instead I am doing some yoga moves, going for a leisurely walk outside, or playing a game of pickleball with friends. Movement will help keep you feeling young, physically and emotionally!
At the end of the day, if menopause is stressing you out, find a doctor you trust who can help you with the emotional and physical issues you are facing, and chat with your girlfriends: We are all in this together, and you aren’t alone! I feel so strongly about this time in our lives being a time of vitality, and I know my three tips, a great doctor and a chat with friends can make a world of difference! You are worth it!!
Let's live FIT, HAPPY and HEALTHY - together!
Denise