Do you ever feel like you need a break, or wish you could literally hit a reset button and simply pause for a moment?
I envision the resounding “UGH, YES!!” followed by the swift sucking of teeth and hearty, “DUH” after asking such a question is automatic. As women, I imagine we’ve all wanted to hit that button more times than we can count – throw the dreaded “M’ word in the mix and I surmise we’ve all hovered over that reset button like contestants on Jeopardy standing at a podium between our competition eagerly waiting for Alex Trebek to ask a question so that we could slam our thumbs down and answer.
Life comes at you FAST – and that’s why it’s time for a PAUSE … for $300, Alex
Because I believe we’ve all experienced those ‘I just need a break!’ moments in life that menopause brings, I want to spend this blog helping you find that relief. While I’m not here to help book your next destination vacation – because who doesn’t need one of those – I can give you some practical solutions to finding peace and tranquility amid the roller-coaster called menopause so that by the time you do set sail, you’re equipped to enjoy the best time of your life.
For now, let’s journey together and pause for developing the right mindset.
We’ve all heard, “you are what you eat” at one time or another, but what if I told you the same was true for how and what you think? This is why it is so important to address our mindsets during menopause.
I had to learn this the hard way.
On top of the onset of menopause, I was juggling multiple responsibilities including being a wife, mother, and caretaker to an ill father and brother, as well as caring for my elderly mother who has dementia.
Did I mention life comes at you FAST?
With everything I was managing in life on top of having menopause, my mind and body took a real hit. I remember looking in the mirror and not recognizing the woman representing my reflection. At times I simply felt helpless and all I could do was scream.
A real-live reset button would’ve come in handy …
During all the menopausal turbulence there was a point I remembered wise words my mother always said – “everything bad is for something good.” That’s when I decided to take a deep breath, look in the mirror again and purposefully see the woman I once was instead of dreaming and wishing she’d return – I was determined to live the life I deserved.
I adjusted my diet, stepped up my exercise regimen and even added yoga and meditation to my daily routine. My symptoms began to diminish and I felt closer to the woman I’d yearned to be again – myself without menopause!
Even though things were looking up, to get a better handle on (or so I thought) the many fluctuating hormonal minions menopause brings, I decided to seek professional help.
Now, I know what you’re thinking …
“But Renata, aren’t you a professional?”
Yes, it’s true. Against the wisdom of my gut instinct, I made an appointment with a naturopathic doctor who prescribed me BHRT (bioidentical hormone replacement therapy). Reportedly, BHRT doesn’t cause serious side effects, so I figured, why not.
While BHRT has helped many women, this wasn’t the case for me.
After a few weeks of BHRT, I looked in the mirror and, again, didn’t recognize the woman starring back at me. My face and body had begun changing and my clothes felt tighter … I stepped on the scale and was fifteen pounds heaver than before starting BHRT!
Did I mention life comes at you FAST?
I literally asked myself, “what have you done?” I blamed myself for not sticking to my original plan of a change in diet, exercise, and meditation, all of which had worked! I battled with my mind, asking, “How can I continue in my career if I cannot even help myself? What will my patients and peers think of me when they see the mess I have once again become?”
After wallowing for a bit, I decided to pause and develop the right mindset instead of allowing my emotions to choose for me.
I did away with the hormone replacement therapies and went back to what actually worked – changing my mind, which caused me to reimplement healthy daily habits that in turn transformed my life – menopause and all.
~Dr. Renata
