How To Make Friends With Perimenopause

Perimenopause doesn’t need to be a battle (but we all know it sure as heck can feel like one sometimes!).  At first it can be quite the rude awakening: hot flushes, mood swings, migraines, anxiety, sleep issues. Plus it comes at a time in your life when things are busy. You might have teenagers in the house, nursing elderly parents or both, working and running a household.

At this stage of our lives when we have life and health stressors it’s important, now more than ever before, to prioritise our wellbeing and in doing so, make friends with perimenopause.

Focusing on yourself doesn't mean mindless navel gazing, we're talking about taking the time to do the things you love, connecting with beloved friends, nourishing ourselves with good nutrition, prioritising movement and focusing on reducing stressors in our lives.

Approaching perimenopause with a sense of curiosity, acceptance and compassion is half the battle.

The Basics: What is Perimenopause?

First thing's first, let's get acquainted with perimenopause.

For those who might not be familiar, perimenopause represents the transitional years leading up to menopause (a point in time when you haven't had a period for 1 year) when a woman's body begins to produce less estrogen and progesterone. It typically starts in your 40s but can happen earlier or later for some. This phase of wildly fluctuating hormones isn't a walk in the park for everyone.

Yes, it's true that some women breeze through it, while others might experience a myriad of symptoms that can range from mild to more intense.

If you're not sure if you're in perimenopause, find out more here.

• Perimenopause is a period of time as you transition to Menopause
• Menopause is a point in time (12 months of no periods = you reaching menopause).
• Postmenopausal the years after menopause

Symptoms of Perimenopause

One of the most infamous symptoms of perimenopause is the dreaded hot flush. You know, that sudden rush of heat that spreads throughout your body, leaving you feeling like you just stepped into a sauna fully clothed? Yep, that one! 

And let's not forget about mood swings. Ah, the rollercoaster of emotions that can accompany perimenopause. One moment you're on cloud nine, and the next, you're ready to unleash your inner Hulk over something as little as getting your t-shirt caught on a door handle (cue: instant wild rage).

The fact is, is that there are many symptoms that come with perimenopause and each of our experiences will be unique to us.

Have a look here for a list of the top 20 perimenopause symptoms.

So.... how to navigate this wild ride without losing our sanity?

Read on...

How To Make Friends with Perimenopause

A Soul Check-In

Millenia of women have gone through perimenopause before us - it's going to happen and we can either go kicking and screaming or we can make friends with it, accept it and do what we can to support our bodies and minds through the inevitable hormonal upheaval.

That is a choice each of us can make.

For some that support might be in the form of some tweaks in how we nourish ourselves, changes around how we move everyday, making more time to rest, or seeking external help in the form of Hormone Therapy.

Whatever you feel you need to do - do that. Often, we as women know the answers, we just have to listen to ourselves for one minute....

The biggest change we can make is checking in with ourselves, this peri thing is happening, OKAY! How can I help myself through this?

It might be something like...:

"I will do what I can with kindness and compassion to this body and mind that has got me through so much in my life and now I support her to get through these years. Some things may be in my control but I accept those that are not."

That might be that a little weight creeps on and no matter what you do, it doesn't budge BUT, how are your energy levels? How do you feel?  If you're feeling good and your life force is up there - that's what counts not a couple of extra pounds here and there.

Focusing on good nourishment, movement, sleep and those basic pillars are important but so too are kindness, acceptance, love and compassion for yourself and where you currently are in your life.

Prioritise Self-Care in Perimenopause

First off, self-care - this is massive for you now.  For years, us women have prioritised everyone else's wellbeing and find ourselves a loooong way down the to-do list (if we even feature at all). 

We can't stress this enough – now's the time to prioritise yourself, perisister! Whether it's indulging in a soothing bubble bath, incorporating more whole foods into your daily meals, making sure you move in some way everyday, practicing meditation, or simply curling up with a good book, make time for activities that you know will nourish your mind, body, and soul. You need it, your body and mind needs it to be able to navigate these perimenopausal years.

These things are not only good for you in the moment but they're going to pay off big time when it comes to managing your perimenopause symptoms and set you up for a much healthier, better functioning you as you move into your older years.

Nourish Your Body Through Perimenopause & Beyond

Eating a well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and lean proteins can work wonders for managing perimenopausal symptoms. And don't forget to stay hydrated! Trust us, your body will thank you for it not just now in perimenopause but for all the years to come.

Learn more here about the 4 Pillars of Peri Nutrition.

The Power of Movement

Movement is another powerhouse when it comes to navigating perimenopause. Not only does it help alleviate symptoms like hot flushes and mood swings, but it also boosts your mood and overall well-being. Many women have found incorporating some kind of movement into their every day lives a total game-changer. Walking is highly underrated - aim to walk some distance everyday and see how you feel.

Whether it's yoga, walking, dancing, or hitting the gym, find an activity that brings you joy and make it a regular part of your routine.

Connection

And last but certainly not least, don't hesitate to seek support. Whether it's chatting with friends who are going through the same journey or seeking guidance from a healthcare professional, having a support system in place can make all the difference. 

Join the Perisisterhood!

The SheBANG! Perisisterhood is a closed Facebook group community for perimenopausal women to share, encourage and ask all things perimenopause.

Natural Supports

Depending on your symptoms, you can look to natural supplements to help reduce your symptoms. Take our quiz here to help you find supports that will help you. Read more here on natural supports that will help you through perimenopause, menopause and into your post menopausal years.

Our SuperLattes have been created by our clinical nutritionist specifically to help reduce perimenopause symptoms. With 92% of our customers reporting a reduction in their perimenopause symptoms, they're worth checking out.

Remember natural therapies and supports might be enough for you or you might need a combination of natural and conventional medicine like HRT.  Try to keep an open mind, learn to accept your physical changes and find ways to support your body as she moves through these years so she can back you up later down the track.

Wrap Up

So there you have it, Persisters – a friendly reminder that perimenopause is another chapter in the beautiful book of life. Embrace the changes, celebrate your strength and wisdom, and remember that you're not alone on this journey. Here's to navigating perimenopause with grace, humour, and a whole lot of self-love. Cheers to you, fabulous warriors!

You're fierce, you're fabulous, and you've got this!