It’s a cold winter night, and the town is buzzing with holiday cheer. The lampposts are decorated with wreaths and red bows, doorways are adorned with a bit of mistletoe, and the smell of pine trees and cinnamon fills the air. If, as the saying goes, this is the most beautiful time of the year, why are you feeling like Scrooge? Could it be because your hot flashes make you hate fireplaces, your brain replays “Jingle Bell Rock” when you can’t sleep at night instead of Silent Night, and you are so irritable that you want to punch the next person you see wearing any shade of red or green?
You can expect visits from three ghosts–the Ghost of Menopause Past, the Ghost of Menopause Present, and the Ghost of Menopause Yet to Come.
The Ghost of Menopause Past: Welcome to your memory. If you’re going through perimenopause or menopause, odds are you’ve been missing it! Over the holidays, lucky families will gather to spend quality time baking cookies, going on walks, and sharing memories. It’s the perfect time for the various adult generations in your family to discuss how to deal with your body’s changes during perimenopause and menopause. The Ghost of Menopause Past can be anyone who has already gone through it and with whom you feel comfortable talking about your experiences. Talk to your grandmother, mother, aunts, close friends, and co-workers. Though every woman’s experience is different, sharing her experience and learning from others is comforting.
The Ghost of Menopause Present: How do you feel? No, really, how do you feel? Listen to what your body is telling you. We tend to lose ourselves in the hustle and bustle, especially over the holidays. So many women are used to operating at feeling 80% or less that they forget 100% is possible. You can achieve 100% in several ways. First, track your menopause symptoms so you can detect symptom patterns. Finding a menopause specialist specializing in perimenopause and menopause is the next step. Your menopause specialist can create an individualized protocol to meet your health needs.
Consider throwing a MENOPAUSE MONDAYS® Party. Women across the country are hosting parties because it’s a fun, easy way to share information and resources. Moreover, you will leave with a great new support system to help you on your path to hormone happiness. With friends and family in town for the holidays, gathering your loved ones is easy and surviving the holidays is even easier.
The Ghost of Menopause Yet to Come: This ghost embodies the extraordinary life you CAN have when you’re proactive about seeking the help you need and deserve. Preparing and communicating are the keys to breaking the taboo looming over perimenopause and menopause. Be a part of the perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause awareness movement!
This week, along with celebrating Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa or any holiday that sings to you, try to find ways to celebrate your best life in perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause, as well!
Merry everything from my house to yours!
Remember: Suffering in silence is OUT! Reaching out is IN.
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*EllenDolgen.com does not recommend, endorse, or make any representation about any tests, studies, practices, procedures, treatments, services, opinions, healthcare providers, physicians, or medical institutions that may be mentioned or referenced.
