Ease Menopause Anxiety with a Proactive Approach

For some women in their late 30s or early 40s, the changes they begin to experience as their bodies transition toward middle adulthood are hardly noticeable. Even when traditional pre-menopausal symptoms are practically non-existent, women may still face disturbing thoughts or physical discomfort typical of menopause anxiety. Taking the time to address symptoms of anxiety prior to and during the onset of menopause can go a long way toward alleviating them.

Feeling Overwhelmed?

If you’ve never experienced anxiety before, it’s important to recognize the signs and talk to your doctor as soon as symptoms appear. A constant sense of foreboding, nearly constant worrying, and newly acquired fears or phobias all signal anxiety. Difficulty breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tension and trembling are some of the physical ways anxiety may manifest itself. Symptoms may creep up slowly over time, or they may seem to appear suddenly. Either way, it is not uncommon to feel overwhelmed by anxiety.

Once you begin to identify the symptoms of menopause anxiety, take proactive steps to combat them. If your doctor determines your anxiety is a response to hormonal changes, there are a variety of herbal supplements that may help. Additionally, birth control pills for pre-menopausal women or hormone replacement therapy for those in peri- or actual menopause may be prescribed.

Combat Anxiety With Action

Do certain places, people or things cause you stress? If you can identify specific stressors, eliminate them if possible. If stressors cannot be removed, try focusing on how you handle them. Deep breathing exercises and relaxation techniques can be practiced and incorporated in a variety of circumstances. Do you repeatedly find yourself stressed out and anxious when you return home from work? Try taking a soothing shower right away, or engaging in a few moments of deep breathing exercises before entering the house. Alternatively, could you change your routine? Would stopping by a park on the way home for a brisk walk relieve tension? To successfully combat anxiety, take a persistent, creative approach.

Don’t Worry, Be Healthy

A healthy lifestyle goes a long way to relieving menopause anxiety, as well. Examine your diet, sleep and exercise habits and look for areas that need improvement. Exercise is a proven stress reliever and at least 30 minutes of exercise daily can alleviate and prevent menopause anxiety symptoms. A nutritious diet coupled with a quality multivitamin will also help. Although many women are tempted to turn to alcohol, sedatives or smoking to relieve menopause anxiety, all will do more harm than good in the long run. Getting a natural night’s sleep is essential, and adequate exercise should help stave off insomnia.

A Bounty of Benefits

A practical approach to menopause anxiety can benefit women in other ways, too. Relaxation techniques, exercise, healthy eating and plenty of rest can help alleviate and prevent or lessen other symptoms of menopause, too. These simple, yet powerful guidelines can help women feel better than ever about themselves and their bodies at any time in their lives.