Peri-Menopause: Positive Approach

How to Look at Perimenopause in a Positive Light?

Is it even possible to look at this “P” in a positive light? Let’s tackle this first. My approach is: why not? If this is a change that every woman on the planet goes through, why have a negative attitude or be scared? Let’s try to accept it and “make it work.” Perimenopause is definitely not something to fear. It’s just a part of being an adult. Your body is not broken or out of control! You’re simply living your life and moving through all its stages. Just like the changes we all experienced during our younger years, perimenopause is another phase that our body naturally moves through. While it comes with challenges, it’s important to understand that we also have the power to navigate this time with calm, strength, and most importantly, to not miss out on life itself during this transition. YOLO, ladies!

In moments when symptoms feel overwhelming, remember: your body is wise. It knows what it’s doing, and it knows where it is going! When we go through hot flashes, mood swings, or sleepless nights, it’s understandably hard to see the bigger picture. But if we learn to trust this process and support our body with gentle care, we can come through it feeling empowered, not defeated.

Your Body’s Way of Communicating

One key thing to understand is that perimenopause isn’t something happening to you, but something happening for you. Your body is sending signals=symptoms, and every symptom is just another form of communication. It’s letting you know what it needs, what’s shifting, and what requires your attention.

Just like you’ve listened to your body before, you can do the same now. It might be calling for more rest, a different approach to nutrition, or a new way to manage stress. When you notice these signals and address them, instead of fighting them, you’re giving yourself the opportunity to continue living your life without being consumed by fear and negative emotions. A good way to say it is: “Your body is on your side,” and that couldn’t be truer now, during the perimenopause years. Your body wants to feel balanced, healthy, and vibrant, and it is trying to achieve this by adjusting things here and there to ensure it goes through the transition properly.

Harnessing the Power of Calm

When symptoms arise, whether it’s a hot flash or brain fog, it’s easy to tense up or worry. But that’s when we need to practice something Claire Weekes (famous author of “Hope and Help for your Nerves”) so beautifully taught: acceptance. By accepting the sensations instead of resisting them, we soften their impact and allow related stress to “float by.” Will we feel a bit of stress? Yes, and this is normal. But we breathe deeply, acknowledge that these unpleasant emotions are normal, just like the sensations are also normal. We remind ourselves that these sensations, no matter how uncomfortable, are temporary. They will pass. We observe them calmly and not concentrate on them—we have our life to live! They are like an ex-boyfriend: why would you keep thinking about him and let him prevent you from enjoying your life? Your calm acceptance is actually one of the most powerful tools you have.

By calming your mind, you calm your body. This mind-body connection is key. When you let go of fear or frustration, you allow your body to recover more quickly and avoid going into the cycle of “unpleasant sensations → fear → more unpleasant sensations → more fear.” All of a sudden, you notice that the symptoms become more manageable. This skill, like building a muscle, gets stronger over time, but just like a muscle, it needs practice. When you first read this, you might think you feel so wound up and miserable that, “No, it won’t possibly work for me.” And this is how a lot of women would feel. But start applying this approach, and you will notice it helping little by little. Soon, you’ll find yourself navigating each moment with greater ease and much less doubt in yourself.

Science Meets Self-Care

Now, let’s talk about a few simple, science-backed strategies to support your body during this time. Research shows that nutrition and movement play important roles in balancing hormones and easing perimenopause symptoms. The good thing about these two areas is that they can be under our control. We can adjust and improve what we eat, and we can be in charge of how much we move. We definitely do not need to switch to an all-green-smoothie diet or spend hours sweating in the gym starting tomorrow! Small changes can have a big impact. Positive feedback from small changes usually prompts slightly bigger changes, leading to more positive feedback, and ultimately, a better quality of life.

In the past 15 or so years, it has been established that food is “information” for your body. By incorporating more nutrient-dense foods like leafy greens, healthy fats, and hormone-balancing herbs, you’re sending the right signals to help your body regulate itself. Think of it as nourishing from the inside out. You’re not just eating to not feel hungry, you’re eating to thrive.

Similarly, movement doesn’t have to be strenuous to be effective. Gentle exercises like yoga, walking, or light strength training help support your hormone levels and boost your mood. A little bit of movement each day can shift your energy and mindset in powerful ways. Walking is one of the very powerful ways to deal with unpleasant sensations caused by Perimenopause, it gently lulls your body with monotonous movement, while distracting your mind with scenery around you.

Try to Experience What is Happening with Curiosity and Compassion

Perimenopause is an opportunity. An opportunity to reconnect with your body in new ways, to figure out what supports your health and well-being, and what no longer works for your body. Approach this journey with curiosity instead of fear. What can your body teach you now that it couldn’t before? What new routines or rituals can you incorporate to feel more in tune with yourself?

Remember, you’re not alone in this. Every woman’s journey through perimenopause is unique, but we all share the ability to move through it with resilience and calm. A happy life is one that is daily filled with small moments of feeling good about your day, friends, yourself, and many other seemingly routine things that, when added together, create a pleasant and warm “blanket” you can wrap yourself in. By trusting your body, practicing calm, and making small, meaningful changes to your lifestyle, you’ll find that you’re capable of continuing to live your life and feeling warm and cozy wrapped in your blanket.

It’s definitely a new chapter, but it’s one you can live through on your own terms, with the knowledge, compassion, and tools to come out of it feeling more empowered than ever before.

Take a deep breath. You’ve got this.

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