Peri… and Stress Management!
#2 Stress Management!
I was in the thick of it, when I started experiencing peri symptoms, and I can’t say I managed stress too well. Trying to make a career out of thin air while staying home to raise my two small kids, maneuvering a failing marriage, moving to multiple different towns, and the list goes on. I don’t think I had ever thought about stress management!
To the body, and the nervous system, stress is stress, no matter where it comes from. A poor night’s sleep, a fight with a spouse, a sick child, a hard training day, too little food (too much food!), big presentation at the office, environmental toxins, and again, I could keep going. You get the picture, we are bombarded by stressors from all sides!
Stress wreaks havoc on the body inside and out, and is the leading cause of dangerous inflammation leading to many of the modern diseases we see with aging. When a woman enters peri-menopause, her body becomes less capable of handling stress and over time increasing the likelihood of symptoms like weight gain, fatigue and sleep quality.
The one thing I did do to mitigate stress, without realizing, was to exercise. I also made sure to see my friends, take walks, hit the sauna, and sometimes try to read or write. Here are some ways to help you manage stress, especially as you enter peri-menopause and beyond:
You’ll want to hide away and become less social, fight this urge and stay connected with friends and family! Plan visits, schedule walks, go for coffee.
Find a therapist, having someone not connected to you is a great way to release and work through anything.
Take time during the day for yourself! Women are historically not great at taking time for themselves, what is this about?? (IYKYK) Schedule in walk breaks, exercise, breathing breaks, journaling, reading, hot showers, whatever.
All of the things above: journal, read, walk, breathe, exercise, MEDITATE. Whatever helps you unwind, shut off your mind and get a break.
Treat your sleep like a queen, no one messes with it. (I know, good luck if you have kids, but do your best)
Sauna, cold plunge, red light therapy, massage, acupuncture, supplements.
