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Dealing with the Blues: Your Mental State and Menopause
Going through menopause and suddenly feel like life’s stresseshave just become a thousand times more difficult to deal with?Find yourself crying at Oprah more than you used to, or worse,crying at reruns of the Flintstones? Finding that your cute3-year-old nephew or granddaughter is suddenly… well… a littlechildish, making you irritable? Finding yourself depressed?You’re not alone, and it’s not just a case of the blues.Menopause alters your core body chemistry, after all – and withthat, the physiological ways in which you manage your emotionsare also changed. However, there are a few simple ways in whichyou can stabilize what’s going on in your head:Get some sleep! Unfortunately, a common side effect of menopauseis the inability to sleep, either due to night sweats or otheraches and pains. For night sweats, lower your room temperature(even use the air conditioner year-round, if you must!), reduceyour caffeine intake, and get some exercise. All of thesethings, of course, contribute to sleeping well throughout yourlife, but those who sleep soundly and deeply when approachingmenopause are mentally better equipped to deal with stresses.Watch what you eat! Let’s face it – we all get a little down ifwe find ourselves sagging or having gained a few pounds, and inmenopause, we don’t metabolize calories as quickly as we didwhen we were younger. In general, eating more healthily, as wellas reducing your daily calorie intake by 200 calories (about 1candy bar) will not only keep you fit, but keep you fromgrabbing the Ben & Jerry’s out of late-night-depression.Talk to someone! Of course, if what you’re feeling is beyondmelancholia or “the blues,” please speak to your doctor openlyand honestly about what you’re feeling. He or she may recommenda number of treatments, therapies, or even medications to getyou through this difficult time.
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