Anxiety, Depression & Mood Swings in Perimenopause
Natural Tips for Relief
Meditation is a powerful antidote to depression and anxiety
Let me debunk some myths right away:
The power of meditation is not in relaxation. The power of meditation is not in quieting the mind. Successful meditation has nothing to do with how calm, cool, and collected you think you are before, during, or after meditating.
Many women insist they cannot meditate because they do not stop thinking. Or they are uncomfortable with sitting still for any length of time. They do not understand that it is the act of sitting in meditation despite the discomfort and intrusive thoughts that means success.
Accept your discomfort
In the movie, "A Beautiful Mind," the brilliant mathematician John Nash is haunted by schizophrenia. Eventually, after years and years of torment, he finally comes to terms with his affliction. Finally, you see him walk down life's path with his "demons" by his side ... sometimes closer ... sometimes further away. But by accepting that they're always going to be with him, yet going on about his life despite them, he finds release from his constant suffering.
It may work the same way for you. Sometimes, fighting a new or painful reality is far worse than just accepting it. Yielding sometimes causes far less pain than struggle.
It’s possible to ride the waves of perimenopause-induced anxiety, depression, and mood swings by recognizing and working with them. It is certainly not easy. But it’s truly simple.
Some people are helped enormously by medication or therapy. Others aren't. Regardless, recognizing that these feelings of panic, anxiety, depression, or anger come and go is a vital step toward relief.
However, when in the throes of the worst of it, acknowledging that you are miserable is pretty powerful. It puts you back in touch with reality. Reminding yourself that it passed the last time may help as well. Whatever horrible crisis you imagined or experienced last time did eventually end.
Develop gratitude
Perhaps the biggest way you can help yourself is to develop gratitude. Most of us have a tremendous amount for which to be thankful. And we often take the positive for granted, while focusing on the negative. If you search your life to recognize all you have accomplished and are, the treasures all around you in the form of your partner, children, and friends, and the gift of having another day to participate in life, you may sometimes be able to pull yourself out of the hole.
Go in the other direction
Doing the opposite of what your anxiety or depression want you to do can provide intense relief. Depression wants you to stay in bed. Instead, get up, go out. Mood swings may cause a ruckus in your household. Practicing asking yourself, "Is whatever I'm yelling at my husband about really worth it," may give you just that moment's peace to get a handle on your emotions.
Forgive yourself
If you succumb for a while to these hormonal imbalances, forgive yourself. You are not a bad person, nor are you deliberately behaving or feeling as you do. And, if hormonally caused, you can rest easy that you will find some relief when menopause arrives.
As you watch yourself, you begin to see a pattern, and an ebb and flow to even the most severe anxiety.
Even a little exercise can help
You've heard this a thousand times. Of course, when frozen with fear and panic, or so depressed you cannot move from under the covers, it's the last thing you want to hear. But exercise will unquestionably help you with some of the physiological effects of anxiety and depression.
When you give yourself choices, that's when the problems begin. "Just Do It."
You don't have to run a marathon to succeed with exercise or experience the benefits. A 10 minute walk will help. Or even a five minute walk. SOMETHING. ANYTHING. Just get your body moving. We aren't meant to be sedentary creatures. Bodies are made for movement.
If you have an illness or disability that prevents you from doing certain exercises, speak to your doctor or physical therapist. There are many ways to move your body.
Final Thoughts
It’s very possible that you'ill suffer from one or more of the symptoms described in this article as you move toward menopause.
While you must work with your healthcare practitioner to attend to symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and mood swings, please remember that there are also ways to help yourself during the difficult times. It takes work and patience. You don’t have to let yourself drown in the sea of emotions that may well up during this time. Instead, use these tips to learn to surf the waves.
Perimenopause & Anxiety, Depression, & Mood Swings
About Natural Herbal Remedies
Natural Tips for Relief
Other Resources |
