As a woman, you should know that menopause is an important part of the life of every female. Unfortunately, American comedies for years have been stigmatizing this topic, trying to convince women that menopause is inevitably connected to the horror of aging, indescribable frustration and unhappiness, as well as reaching the final phase of life.
This view on menopause is not only toxic and wrong, but also incredibly hurtful, given that it’s the most natural of the processes that all of us will go through at some point. Moreover, menopause can also be showing different symptoms to many people. Not to mention the fact that it’s never an end of life – why would it be? In our view, it might as well be the new beginning!
Just for you, we have gathered the best tips on how to make the best out of menopause and use this time to finally take care of yourself.
Menopause: Signs Causes, Healthy Diet, Exercise & Care Plan
Healthy Diet
How to treat Menopause. Menopause slows down metabolism and thus may lead to unexpected weight gain. That’s why it can be a great start to your new diet. Ideally, your diet should not be focused on losing weight, but rather on providing you with the necessary protein and vitamins.
You might also try out special menopause supplements that your body needs while it’s undergoing such big changes. Take this opportunity to finally visit a nutritionist and start a healthy diet, and soon you will not only look better but also feel better.
As for the diet, it should be a healthy one, rich in vitamins and fiber. The good news is that the diet does not deprive you of the things you like, but rather makes you switch to healthier versions of them.
So, what can you eat while being on the menopause diet?
Remember that you should avoid sweets, as they can lead to a faster increase in body weight since your metabolism has slowed down. The diet shouldn’t be made up of only protein. You need a balanced diet, rich in vitamins and fiber. It should include lots of fruits and vegetables, as they are the best sources of vitamins you can have.
Here are some examples of foods that you should eat:
- Vegetables and fruits
- Lean meat
- Low-fat dairy products
- Salmon, tuna, trout, sardines
- Whole grains
- Nuts and seeds
- Oatmeal
- Legumes
- Eggs
Start Exercising
Instead of complaining about not being able to fit in your favorite jeans, try to use this special time to pick up some new exercises! You will not only feel better and improve your health but also have more energy to get you through those hectic months.
There are plenty of ways to workout at home that can slim you down and get you feeling great!
You can do plenty of exercises without leaving the comfort of your own home. They are perfect for when you don’t have time to go to the gym or when you are feeling too lazy. The great thing about exercising is that it can help keep up your metabolism levels while giving you an energy boost for the whole day!
If you’re not too keen on taking out sizable chunks of your day and devoting them to working out, try to implement some 5-minute workout plans you can find on YouTube and other platforms. They are often not too demanding and let you multitask while exercising. Use these workouts as a way to stay fit while doing other things such as watching TV.
Take Care of Your Brain
Menopause is known to be altering cognitive functions, and thus may result in brain fog or memory losses like dementia. An imbalance in hormones can have devastating effects on a woman’s life. It leads to many health issues including mood swings, hot flashes, and anxiety.
These hormonal imbalances bring a lot of problems when it comes to productivity. They cause concentration problems and memory loss observed in women during the menopausal years.
Brain fog or memory loss can also be caused by:
- Stress, Menopause depression, and anxiety
- Alcoholism
- Parasites, bacteria, and viruses
- Not getting enough sleep – someone needs at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night for a healthy function
- Physical trauma like an injury or surgery that Menopause affects the frontal lobe
This is why it might be best for you to try and limit the potential stress factors during times when your symptoms are most difficult to handle. Obviously, some of them, such as depression or prior physical trauma are impossible to remove from your life, but trying to get enough sleep every night or staying away from alcohol for a while can really make a huge difference when it comes to your mental health.
The Bottom Line
Menopause is a difficult and confusing time. When the hormones seem to be taking control of your body and regulating every single one of your activities, you need to remember that you still have agency over your own thoughts and actions.
The very beginning of your journey to come out on the other end of menopause as a happy, healthy woman is taking care of yourself like you never have before. Eating healthy and frequent exercise can do wonders, not only for your physical well-being, but also your overall mood.
While following these basic tips, keep in mind that self-care is not limited to self-improvement. Allow yourself to indulge in your favorite past-time activities once in a while, whatever they may be. It is a big part of the healing process.
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