Is menopause looming on the horizon like a dark storm? Consider adopting these simple mindset and lifestyle techniques to nurture the body and soul through this time of transformation!
According to Midi Health, over 6,000 women begin menopause each day in the US alone. However, resources are scarce for women entering this new life phase, and discussions regarding the topic can be difficult, as many find menopause to be a private affair or even taboo, in some cases.
However, it doesn't have to be this way. Menopause is a universal constant for women over 50, and should not carry with it any degree of shame or embarrassment. For this reason, health experts and women everywhere are making a concerted effort to break the stigma around menopause and usher in a new, healthier philosophy regarding this stage of life.
One such expert (and, indeed, woman) is Betty Johansen, an author and Christian thinker. She proposes a change in the way we think about menopause as a society, re-framing the conversation to center not around the short-term changes to the body and mind, but rather to focus on personal well-being, future goals, and self-empowerment.
In doing so, she counters the common narrative that menopause is something to fear, something that will inevitably lead to interpersonal strife and bodily disruption.
The primary metaphor Johansen employs in designing this philosophy is as follows: the body has rhythms, much like music. As one might learn to dance to different music, one can learn to adjust to new biological rhythms as well, “dancing” through this new and sometimes difficult time.
As Johansen points out, those who go through menopause often emerge on the other side stronger and more confident and self-actualized. She encourages goal setting and prioritization of the self, queuing up the proverbial “musical movement” as an opportunity for further growth rather than an end point in a journey.
Health professionals at the Mayo Clinic and other experts acknowledge that menopause is a natural part of aging, and cannot be avoided. That doesn't mean that symptoms don't exist, however, nor does it make those symptoms any less pleasant to deal with.
Just as Johansen suggest throughout her articles and in her book, health research shows a shift in daily habits is usually the most effective "cure" for menopause symptoms. The list of possible habits to incorporate includes:
Adopting these simple strategies can go a long way toward easing the sometimes challenging aspects of menopause. As Johansen suggests, proper mitigation strategies coupled with a re-framed mindset can turn menopause from a potentially unpleasant era into a rich, wonderful period of self-discovery and renewal.
