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Even if you know menopause is in your future, it can still feel surprising when it happens. The changes in your mind and body can feel overwhelming, and it can also cause some women to feel drained on a day-to-day basis. Menopause causes hormonal shifts that can affect both your mind and body.
There are ways you can optimize your home for this changing time. This doesn’t just have to do with how you clean your home, it also has to do with being prepared with what’s coming your way. Menopause is a gradual process, but symptoms can come on suddenly. By creating a home that’s designed to give you comfort, you can find ways to relieve uncomfortable symptoms in the moment.
To learn more about how menopause can affect your mental health, check out these resources from BetterHelp.
What Is Menopause?
Menopause occurs when a woman stops menstruating, otherwise known as their period. This shift ends a woman’s ability to bear children or get pregnant. Most women experience menopause between the ages of 40 and 60, though certain treatments and diseases can cause women to go through menopause at a younger.
Some women don’t experience extensive menopause symptoms, while others have many. The physical, mental and emotional change can be hard on a person and can affect a person’s day to day life. The symptoms can range from trouble sleeping to hot flashes, which is when the body temperature rises rapidly.
Keep The Fridge Stocked
Though some menopause symptoms are unavoidable, there are certain foods that you can keep on hand to help relieve menopause symptoms. Some of the best foods that can help you feel less irritated by menopause moment are dark leafy greens, yogurt and cheese, and fish like salmon and mackerel. Foods that are high in calcium and vitamin D are key here.
You may also look into investing into cloth covered ice packs that you keep handy in the freezer. When a hot flash hits, nothing feels better than a soft, cold relief. Cold water can sometimes also help people with hot flashes, as it cools the body from the inside out. You can also try to have more hydrating fluids around, such as coconut water and electrolyte fueled water. Feeling hydrated can help your body challenge symptoms, and keep your body feeling as restful as possible.
Create Comfort Zones
One of the most common physical symptoms of menopause is fatigue. By creating comfortable spaces in your home where you can unwind and relieve tension, you can help relieve your symptoms. Make space around a comfortable couch or chair, and have soothing objects around. For some people this could be as simple as a nicely scented candle or diffuser.
The emotional effects of menopause are important to take care of as well. When your body is going through a major change like this one, it can be emotionally draining. People sometimes also deal with other mental health challenges, such as mood swings, poor concentration, low self-esteem and anxiety. Making places in your home that feel comfortable and are dedicated to self-care can help you relieve tension in your body and mind.
Communicate With Your Family
Though it may be challenging at first, having honest communication with the others in your household can help you feel more comfortable when you’re experiencing menopause symptoms. When your loved ones are aware of what you’re dealing with, they’ll know to be supportive in ways that are helpful for you. Maybe you ask your partner to give you a back rub, or remind you of how beautiful they think you are. Sometimes the littlest things can help your home life feel like a healthy environment.
Menopause can also cause a change in sex drive in some women, along with vaginal dryness. Some people find that they’re less interested in engaging in sexual activity with their partner, especially if it causes discomfort. Vaginal dryness can also make it more uncomfortable for women to engage in sexual activity, and the emotional impacts can make a person feel less in the mood. By talking to your partner and finding solutions, such as using lubrication, you can continue to have a healthy sex life in the future.
Find What Works For You
Everyone has natural remedies that work best for them, and you may want to keep track of how your body reacts. Certain foods are known to trigger hot flashes, and avoiding them can prevent future occurrences. Getting exercise, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and eating regularly to maintain your blood sugar can also help keep menopause symptoms at bay.
Some women also have success with homeopathic remedies, such as by using essential oils. Peppermint, lavender and clary sage are all natural oils that can help your mind and body relax. Try using a diffuser to add the aromas to rooms in your home, or apply it topically to your wrists and neck. Other homeopathic remedies that have helped women with symptoms are belladonna, CBD salves and oils and black cohosh.
If menopause symptoms become too difficult to manage, talk to your physician to see if there are any treatment options available for you. Remember that menopause is a temporary process, and at some point the symptoms will subside. The best thing you can do is create space in your home to help make you as comfortable as possible.
Though menopause can be uncomfortable, it’s a natural part of life. It’s important to take time to rest and take care of yourself during this transitional time, and continue to practice self-care.
Marie Miguel Biography
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.
