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The Importance of Stress Relief During Menopause

Because menopause creates a hormonal imbalance in the body, it is of vital importance that we know how to keep stress out of the equal. Finding ways to deal with stress is challenging for women in different ways than for men. Serotonin is the brain’s essential neurotransmitter for handling stress and regulating our moods. Research shows that women do not produce serotonin as fast as men do, and that we use it faster. As a result, when stress uses up a woman’s serotonin, we are more likely to suffer from a mood disorder like anxiety or depression. Since our estrogen levels are also lowered during menopause, or moods will be affected. Estrogen helps regulate neurotransmitter production, so when estrogen levels are depleted these important chemicals are less available to do their job.

Stress causes our bodies to feel like it is always in a state of panic. If our body is always found on high alert when it comes to stress, it can lead to other complications especially when menopause is already changing the ways in which our bodies would normally react. Many women experience weight gain, bone density loss, migraines, increased joint and back pain, as well as lowered immune functions during menopause.

Finding ways to unwind and engage in pleasurable activities is crucial in maintaining a life with as little stress as possible. Here is a list of things destined to help:

• Make sure to get enough sleep
• Set time aside each day to exercise 
• Do things you enjoy to decrease blood pressure and release endorphins
• Be aware of what you are eating and become accustomed to making healthy choices
• Take time aside each day to do things for yourself that help your relax
• Consider taking classes on meditation and yoga
• Join a women’s menopause group
• Talk about what you are going through with those close to you
• Keep your partner in the loop about how feel day to day

As with all stresses, it is great if you can eliminate as many of them from your life as possible. When you find that you are worrying about something, ask yourself if it is really important. Most of the time, the answer will be no. We are very capable of easily stressing out about things because we care too much. Caring itself is not a problem but we sometimes forget that we have choice in what we focus our attention on, and that sometimes we make things more difficult for ourselves by focusing on the negative aspects when they arise.  Eliminating some of the symptoms of menopause can go a long way in reducing stress.  Supplements like Kuhl Care (http://kuhlcare.com) can help provide menopause relief.

It is of fundamental importance to develop good coping mechanisms when it comes to dealing with stress because these results will have lasting effects on us. If life truly does bring us stress, as it sometimes does, we must know how to deal with it. We have to be able to act without fear, to remain strong while not judging ourselves, and let these passing events move through us. We sometimes forget that some of the simplest things in life bring us the most joy. Remember what makes you smile, keep the company of those you love and trust near, and give yourself time to simply be.