How to Live Through Menopause

“The change” is coming to every woman on the planet, whether she welcomes it, or not. Menopause tends to make women cranky, especially to those she loves. It's almost like it's only happening to you, and you don't like it one bit. However, there are measures you can take to minimize the effect of menopause on both you and your loved ones.

Instructions

• 1

  Look for ways to calm yourself. If working out does the trick, join a health club or the YMCA. Or if education is what makes you relax, take a course, or two, at your local community college. Both young and old Chinese people, alike, have engaged in Tai Chi, which uses slow-moving exercises to make participants relax. Look for such a group in your area.

• 2

  Get plenty of exercise and begin eating more of what is good for you. Sure, these are things you should be doing, regardless of your age, but now they can slow down the aging process and reverse some of the damage you may have done to your body earlier in life. Also, since osteoporosis is of major concern to women going through menopause, think about supplementing your diet with calcium, with the blessing of your doctor, of course.

• 3

  Cut back on the use of alcoholic beverages and tranquilizers if you use them to relax. The sugar produced by alcohol will affect your system, particularly during the “change of life.” If you use tranquilizers, visit a store that sells natural herbs and explain your problem. They might recommend a natural substitute that is far better for you.

• 4

  Look to your family and friends for support. Look for someone close to you who has recently experienced menopause. Absent that person, lean on members of your “inner circle” because they want to be of as much help to you as possible.

• 5

  Achieve something. For many women, menopause begins taking place at exactly the wrong time. More than likely, you have said goodbye to your last child who's left home, and that has created a feeling that life no longer has a purpose. To counter that feeling, do something you have always wanted to do. For instance, learn how to knit or paint, get involved with a local charitable organization, or help people who are studying for their GED or for US citizenship. Each of those activities will result in achievements that will help you regain your sense of worth.