There are a variety of tips that can help you in dealing with the side effects and symptoms of menopause. Here are 10 tips that I find very helpful.

1. Proper Nutrition: A healthy diet that is low in cholesterol and fat has been correlated with not only health benefits, but an overall decrease in the abundance and severity of hot flashes. The healthy diet should include fruits, whole grains, vegetables, and fiber. It may be a wise decision to add a multi-vitamin to your daily routine.
2. Exercise: Exercise is important for the regulation and maintenance of overall general health. Studies have shown that obese and overweight individuals tend to have harsher menopausal symptoms. A regular exercise program could decrease these symptoms, while strengthening your bones and muscles. Exercise does not have to be grueling or involve running or jogging, but can be as simple as taking a walk in the park.
3. Journal: A journal can be a powerful weapon in your journey through menopause. By writing down thing such as activities, foods eaten, and symptoms felt, you can create a general idea of certain things that enhance or decrease overall signs and symptoms. Studies exist that have linked journaling to decreased stress levels as well.
4. Layers of Clothing: Wearing multiple layers of clothing can prove to be helpful for the treatment of hot flashes. By wearing layers of clothing, you can add clothing when cold, and remove clothing during a hot flash.
5. Indulge your Cravings: Menopause is also associated with cravings for particular foods, the most common culprit: chocolate. Take the time to moderately indulge your cravings. Keep a small piece of chocolate in your desk at work, or low calorie fudge bars in the freezer for cravings. It is ok to indulge in moderation.
6. Reduce Alcohol Intake and Smoking: Both alcohol and smoking have strong correlations with an overall increase in menopausal symptoms. If you smoke, try to quit or cut back on the amount of cigarettes you smoke. Alcohol consumption is considered to be good in moderation, but excess amounts are not recommended and can make symptoms worse.
7. Reduce Stress: Stress induces many harmful effects on the body, including the worsening of menopausal symptoms. Learn the things that cause you stress and find ways to solve this stress. It may be as simple as getting more organized, counting to ten, or taking a minute to breathe.
8. Reduce Caffeine Intake: Caffeine has been shown to increase the overall signs and symptoms of menopause. Try to reduce your intake of caffeine as much as possible.
9. Laugh: Laughing is important on a vast array of biological levels. Laughter releases endorphins. Endorphins are neurotransmitters that act as natural pain killers produced by the body. Laughter has been connected with an increase in overall feelings of happiness and worth, modulates appetite, and releases sex hormones.
10. Drink Water: Water is essential to the body. It is required by every biological system within the body. A nice cold glass of water can also be helpful during a hot flash to decrease your overall body temperature.

Menopause is a natural and healthy part of the female life cycle. There are natural ways to deal with the symptoms of menopause. Explore all your options before turning to a prescription drug, natural solutions tend to be a lot safer. Herbal supplements are great at easing the symptoms of menopause.

Find a great Herbal Supplement for Menopause here.

Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/menopause/menopause-information

Written by Lillian Taylor for MicroNutra Health™

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 26th, 2008 at 4:01 am and is filed under Menopause. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.