Going Through Menopause and Facing the Second Half of Life

Menopause is a normal transition stage of life for every woman. It signals the end of child bearing and is physically and emotionally a struggle that can last anywhere from two to more than five years.

Additionally women, who are experiencing menopause, are also keenly aware that they are now in their second half of life. They find themselves ruminating as to "how do I want to spend the rest of my life".

I will focus on the emotional symptoms that can be treated with life style changes since that is my specialty.

The most common emotional symptoms are irritability, feelings of sadness, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, tension, aggressiveness and mood changes.

It is very helpful for a women who is going through menopause to remind herself that this too will pass and in time she will feel emotionally much more even.

Here are some coping tips which will make these fluctuating emotions easier to handle.

1. Exercise is a natural way to increase endorphins which control mood.

It is important to structure exercise because otherwise the likelihood is high that exercise will not be maintained because of the ups and downs of emotions.

Consistency is what is important. Exercise has to be taken out of the "do I feel like exercising" category and become a structured activity. For instance it could be walking three times a week, joining a gym, taking a yoga class etc.

2. The same goes for eating.

A healthy nutritious diet will help balance the ups and downs. Most women find that they are prone to cravings and binging when going through menopause. What seems to help is to eat six times a day and have smaller portions. This will help keep the blood sugar levels even.

3. Emotionally this is a time of inner turmoil and soul searching.

Women find that they are more aware ofpast hurts, current pains, roads not taken, bodies no longer as youthful and struggling with what do they want.

A useful tip is to keep a journal. This makes it possible for her to sort out what really bothers her and sort out if she is over reacting because of the strength of the emotions she experiences.

It will also be a guide for her to determine what really bothers her when she is in a calmer state of mind.

The importance of this step is that otherwise it is easy for others to label her concerns as "she is menopausal" and not take her seriously.

These physical and emotional changes force growth with women gradually figuring out as to how they want to live the rest of their life.

By : Kristina_Von_Rosenvinge