Women experience hormone fluctuations anytime during their reproductive years. However, by age 35 as ovulation slows, hormonal burnout and peri-menopause symptoms may begin.

As we explored in my article about common menopause symptoms you may experience issues sleeping, hot flashes, mood swings, or weight gain.

During a recent visit to my local coffee shop I was greeted by the barista/owner. She said “I finally bought a copy of your book!” As we were chatting she shared about experiencing some hormone symptoms. She shared “I thought I was too young for all of this, but I can’t seem to regulate my internal thermostat. Plus having a house full of teenage kids during this time is like living in a frat house.”

If you need help tracking your hormones get my Hormone Mapper

I could feel her frustration as I remembered when I began peri-menopause. The mood swings and night sweats drove me crazy.

When estrogen and progesterone levels start waning as early as 35 but usually about age 40-45. Women can experience some significant symptoms. Hot flashes seem to be the most common. Fatigue and brain fog rate right up there as well.

As a health coach I always ask women who come in with peri-menopausal symptoms to reevaluate their diet and lifestyle first and then we can move on from there to herbal and supplement options.

Stress plays a major factor in how our bodies handle the shift to menopause. The lower your stress, the better ride you are going to have. The following self-care steps can help decrease your stress levels and ease symptoms. Sorry going out with girlfriends for wine is not self-care!

Make this list your #1 priority. As women, we usually put ourselves at the bottom of the list.

Spa time at home

Consider an epsom salt bath with candles lit and your favorite music.

A massage or reflexology session, a facial or pedicure at a local spa.

Spend time in nature

Go for walks, hike, canoe or kayak.

Plant a garden or visit one

Take time to plan home cooked meals

Buy the freshest, organic produce and meats, look for new healthy recipe

Make it a family event and share the responsibilities

Meditate or spend quiet time each day in contemplation or journaling

Find a nice app or program that offers guided meditations or visit my meditation station.

Buy yourself a beautiful journal and keep it by your bedside to record your daily thoughts and

feelings.

Make time to cultivate meaningful relationships

Face to face time is so valuable and no substitute for a text with emoji’s or Facebook Twitter

or Instagram posts.

Pick up the phone and make a call or send a sweet handwritten note to someone you care

about. “People are like plants, the ones that get watered flourish”.

There are other women out there going through menopause too, find ways to connect

Progress is Better than Perfection

Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t get it all right the first time. We are all a work in progress

and little efforts lead to big results. Be consistent and everything will work out. Consider

taking a course to engage your mind.

I’ve spent the past 8 years working with women through peri-menopause and menopause with programs like my 14 Day Hormone Balance Detox, Aromatherapy: Your Gateway to Happy Hormones and my book, “Aromatherapy for Menopause Success”. If you’d like to learn more or work with me click below to schedule a FREE 30 minute consultation.