“To lose confidence in one’s body is to lose confidence in oneself” Simone de Beauvoir
Have you ever felt your body has been invaded by the 7 dwarfs of menopause – sleepy, sweaty, cranky, weepy, dizzy, dopey, bloated and all dried up? These pesky dwarfs have a habit of showing up unannounced for many women heading into menopause creating havoc with your hormones. Hot flushes, night sweats, moodiness and weight gain can leave you feeling totally disconnected from your body.
Many women can start to loose trust in their own body intelligence that previously held them in good stead through their 20’s and 30’s. But heading into your 40’s and 50’s it can all go a bit pear shaped, literally! But what if the most obvious solution – diet, lifestyle and stress management – was overlooked in favour of medication? Embracing natural approaches can bring awareness back to your body and build confidence in your ability to manage your health into and beyond menopause.
Stress undoubtedly has the biggest impact on hormone balance in women. It’s been called the “new crack” by hormone expert, Dr Sara Gottfreid. Addiction to stress reaches new heights when being busy is worn as a badge of honour. I have been there, competing with other women to have the busiest schedule week in week out – study, work, social, sport etc etc. The adrenal glands which sit on top of the kidneys have been dutifully pumping out cortisol day after day probably since my birth.
The body has a cortisol set point that it get’s used to and if it is not reached everyday you may often feel something is missing – where’s the rush of adrenaline that kick starts you into action or keeps you going well into the night? Addicted to drama, whether it is the quiet drama of unspoken relationship conflict, or the perfectionist pursuit of busyness can leave you feeling burnout, tired but wired and susceptible to diseases of ageing see http://naturalmenopausehelp.com/?p=302
Menopausal women are the biggest casualties for burnout. Many of us know the feeling of trying to navigate the mother of all wake up calls – menopause – whilst your kids are going through puberty, ageing parents need care and a career and relationship that might be derailing.
So what is the biggest button to press to reconnect with your body, actually fall in love with your body and reset stress?
1. Step into your feminine as often as you can by nurturing yourself daily with self care practices like Ayurvedic self- massage, preparing fresh whole organic food according to your body type and gentle exercise that supports your reconnection to your curves and edges. Dancing daily, walking, hiking, hands in the earth, singing and laughing, yoga and cycling – whatever moves you.
2. Find a spiritual practice that works for you – mediation, prayer, reading uplifting books, visualisation, mindfulness, chanting…
3. Access heart-centred emotion. The adrenal glands listen into the heart for positive emotions and the biggest one for many women is forgiveness. When you forgive you can more easily let go of resentment, anger and blame and accept yourself and others for how they are. The essential oil melissa officinalis or lemon balm is one of the most powerful ways to move out of being stuck in the mind and into the heart. It is a calming and uplifting oil which removes emotional blocks. I have found only a drop on the temples has an instant effect. Try the Young Living Forgiveness blend which contains Melisssa, a beautiful way to help shift emotions and create a positive outlook.
4. Find pleasure everyday. “Pleasure is not optional” says Dr Sara. We all need a daily dose of pleasure that provides us with a boost of the hormones oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin and lowers cortisol. It can be a hug, a belly laugh, girlfriend time and spending intimate time with your partner. Orgasm is the biggest antidote to stress.
At every moment of every day you can choose one or the other – stress or pleasure to get back in touch with your body. What is your secret sauce? Where do you find your pleasure everyday?