MENOPAUSE: YOUR FABULOUS NEXT LIFE CHAPTER

By Claire O’Sullivan

Menopause. It doesn’t sound very glamourous. And the truth is, many women don’t really think about it until we start to experience it, and then we wish we knew more.

And yet we still don’t feel comfortable talking about this pivotal phase of life. It’s just something that happens to women in their 50s, when their periods stop and the hot flushes start, right?

The truth is, for many women, menopause is so much more than this. The symptoms impacting physical and emotional well-being can start in a woman’s mid-40s (perimenopause), or even earlier.

I went through early menopause at 41, and for months I didn’t understand what was happening. I felt incredibly tired; my mood was on a constant rollercoaster; I couldn’t focus; and I was putting on weight, without eating differently. Like many women, I hadn’t heard of perimenopause. I just plodded along feeling very overwhelmed.

Finally reclaiming control over what was happening in my body and mind was nothing less than life changing. I researched what I needed to feel relief from my symptoms, but also what I needed for the overall health of my future self.

Looking after our bone, heart, and brain health is so important for menopausal women. By changing my diet, managing my stress, and balancing my hormones, I began to feel like myself again.

The decline in our female hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and sometimes testosterone) has a huge impact on how we function and feel. Hormones have to be balanced for us to feel good. Unfortunately, many women suffer from menopausal symptoms (there are over 40!) for months - or even years - because their hormones are out of balance.

The good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way, if we have the knowledge and support we deserve.

The more we talk about menopause, the more knowledge women will have to transition into this next phase of life with confidence and ease. And when a woman feels confident and in control, there are no limits to what she can achieve.

Your Health is Everything

As a Menopause Wellness Coach, I empower women to make this next chapter of life their best yet.

Join my ‘ReGain You’ complete wellness programme and learn ways to:

• Balance your hormones to help menopausal symptoms • Manage your weight and nourish your body • Practise intuitive movement • De-stress and practise self-care

Book a complimentary call via www.healthcoachclaire.com and find out more.

@healthcoachclaire @health.coach.claire hello@healthcoachclaire.com

FIVE TIPS FOR A HEALTH MENOPAUSE

1. Focus on your sleep quality and quantity

A lack of sleep can significantly worsen the brain fog and mood fluctuations that can be caused by hormonal fluctuations during menopause.

2. Avoid or reduce alcohol, caffeine, sugar, and hot or spicy foods.

These can exacerbate hot flashes.

3. Maintain a healthy weight Being overweight can intensify existing menopause symptoms, as well as cause new challenges like depression, heart problems, and increased risk of breast cancer.

4. Increase your exercise frequency This can assist in alleviating many menopausal symptoms, most significantly low mood and fatigue.

5. Update your daily supplement regime Include things like black cohosh for hot flushes; calcium and vitamin D for bone health; ginseng to support your energy; St John’s Wort to bolster your mood; and DHEA for healthy ageing.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Claire O’Sullivan is a Menopause Wellness Coach passionate about empowering women to reclaim control of their health at this pivotal stage of life. For more information or to get in touch, visit www.healthcoachclaire.com.

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