Just when you need to be at your best to manage stress, your fluctuating hormone levels may affect the mood centers in your brain, causing you to melt down.  Chronic stress can wreak havoc on your overall health and happiness.

When you are stressed out

• It is difficult to lose weight
• You may experience migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, and back and joint pain
• You feel gloomy and tearful
• You have a hard time concentrating
• You are constantly irritable and cranky
• You feel hopeless
• Damage can be caused to your immune system, making you are susceptible to infections and viruses
• You have a harder time going through menopause

How to cope with stress

• Identify stress triggers, and resolve relationship issues
• Try stress-relieving activities, such as yoga, meditation, or tai chi
• Regular exercise releases endorphins, making you feel better
• Schedule fun activities
• Make time for your friends; support is important
• Eat healthfully – avoid a diet heavy in carbohydrates
• Pamper yourself a little bit—take a hot bath, or treat yourself to a manicure or massage
• Get in touch with your spirituality
• Get plenty of rest
• Slow down and take time in the day for yourself
• Find a relaxing new hobby
• Start reading more, and watch a little less television
• Free up your schedule – start saying no to others, and yes to you
• Make a point of laughing every day
• Don’t always answer your cell phone
• Make fun plans for the weekend
• And if you have a partner, a little affection and intimacy goes a long way – make sure you are satisfied

For many of us, the menopause journey can be stressful.  It’s especially critical that you manage stress during menopause, so that you can take care of yourself.  Once you handle stress triggers, managing menopause symptoms is possible.

Whether they are suffering from midlife issues, lifestyle changes, hormone fluctuations, social pressures or personal expectations, it is no surprise that women going through menopause are emotional!  Make time daily to pamper yourself, and get rest.  You are going through a major shift in your life.  Everything you know is being altered, emotionally and physically.

If you cannot manage the emotions and stress in your life on your own, seek professional help.  A therapist can help with many issues in your life, relationships, or past that may need to be addressed.  Your practitioner can discuss the possibility of hormone therapy or the use of antidepressants.  Some people find that the herb St. John’s Wort can help counteract depression and stress, but if you take St. John’s Wort, be sure to inform your doctor.  This herb is often not compatible with other medications, and drug interactions can be dangerous.

Are you practicing good posture? You can look pounds thinner and more confident with good posture.

You know you have good posture when you can draw a straight line from your ear through your shoulder, hip and knee.

Sucking in your tummy and tucking in your tush on a regular basis will help strengthen your muscles and improve your appearance and mood.

Practice good posture when going through menopause.

When standing:

1. Hold your chest high.
2. Keep your shoulders back, relaxed.
3. Suck in your tummy and tush.
4. Keep your feet parallel.
5. Balance your weight evenly on both feet.

When seated:

1. Choose a chair that allows you to rest both feet flat on the floor, keep your knees level with your hips.
2. Sit with your back firmly against the chair. Place a small cushion behind the curve of your lower back, if needed.
3. Keep your shoulders relaxed
4. Tuck your chin in slightly.
5. Keep your upper back and neck comfortably straight.

Practice good posture daily. Think about it when you are at the office, making a meal, doing chores, at the store, getting out of the car, and during exercise.

Having good posture will become automatic the more you practice. Good posture will help prevent injuries during exercise.

I have always been embarrassed about my 34 DD’s rolling my shoulders forward to hide them. It is always a conscious effort to practice good posture. When I do, I feel better about myself.

If you are not practicing good posture, ask yourself, “Why?” Are you ashamed? Lazy? Too weak? Hiding something? Suffering from low self-esteem?

When you have the answer, give yourself a big HUG. Then suck in your tummy and tuck in your tush, and show the world today that YOU MATTER, you are beautiful, you are lovable, and you are strong!

When you follow the Menopause Makeover Food Pyramid, you will be using the thermic effect of food to help burn off that stubborn menopause belly fat. The thermic effect of food is the amount of energy it takes your body to digest food.

Thermic Effect for:

Proteins: About 30%
Carbohydrates: About 20%
Fats: About 3%

Your body is using more energy to digest protein, helping you speed up your metabolism. A higher metabolism is your secret weapon to weight loss and good health. Knowing what foods speed up your metabolism can help you lose weight and burn belly fat.

Meet Jayne. She is doing The Menopause Makeover and blogging about it on eharlequin.com

The Menopause Makeover is a crash course in surviving “the change.” Take on The Menopause Makeover Challenge. Join Jayne and say “I do” to a new you!

Tip #1: Document your symptoms and health concerns

Tip #2: Discuss your symptoms with your doctor

Tip #3: Understand your health options (alternative, complimentary and medical)

Tip #4: Practice healthy eating habits

Tip #5: Exercise most days of the week

Tip #6: Modify your beauty regime

Tip #7: Wear sunscreen daily

Tip #8: Pamper yourself

Tip #9: Ask for support

Tip #10: Love the new YOU!