7 Things you can do to relieve Menopause Symptoms…Without a Prescription!

Are you suffering from menopause? Starting to get those darn hot flashes? Constantly feeling cranky or having trouble sleeping?  

Of course, listen to what your doctor says if you go see her or him… but…also listen to what your body says.

We both know that what you eat and how you move can make a HUGE improvement with some of the symptoms of menopause. Not to mention how common it is for ladies to gain weight at this time of life. (Ugh!)

Eating better and moving more can also help you with other issues like heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis.

What do I specifically recommend to help you “eat better and move more”? …Seven things….

Hydrate

Drink more water.

The general consensus is to drink 8-10 glasses per day. And, if you don’t feel you need that much you definitely need to at least drink enough throughout the day so that you’re not thirsty.

I know that’s easy to say but really it’s also easy to do.

Try having a full glass first thing in the morning before you eat or drink anything. I keep a glass by my bed and gulp it down as I’m waiting for the shower to heat up.

Don’t like plain water?  Add in some berries or chopped frozen fruit. Check out these delish water ideas.

Prefer tea?  Steep some sliced lemon and/or ginger or your favourite caffeine-free herbal teabag. This counts toward hydration as well.

Keep a large bottle or mug beside you all day wherever you work so it’s always easy to grab and have sips throughout the day to make sure you’re not getting thirsty.

Bump up your intake of whole plant foods:

Things like (yes, you guessed it) vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts and seeds. We’re going for quantity here. Try to include them in every meal and even most (if not all) of your snacks.

Want another reason to eat more plants?

Plant-based diets are associated with fewer hot flashes. Bonus!  Plants are full of fiber which are key to removing the excess estrogen often associated with menopausal symptoms.

Plus, my recipe below is your “no excuse” solution to getting more veggies wherever you go.

Don’t forget high-quality protein:

While you’re chomping your plant foods don’t forget to include some good quality protein (and healthy fats) from eggs, fish, meat, nuts and seeds (and their butters).

With animal foods, we’re aiming for quality so try to get organic, wild, and/or pasture-raised if you can.

Ready to learn the very best foods to eat daily to relieve your body from the discomforts of menopause? 

Some things you want to cut back on:

Reducing and/or eliminating alcohol, caffeine and processed foods can have a tremendous impact on balancing your hormones naturally without the help of pharmaceutical medications.

With those increases in hydration, whole plant foods, and quality protein, you simply won’t have as much room for alcohol, caffeine, and processed foods with added salt and sugar.

You already know that’s good news, right?

Move:

If you don’t do this already try to move up to 5 hours per week. You can gradually increase that over time, and believe me, you will thank yourself!

To do this, include things like walking (especially outdoors in the sun, if possible), or even some weight-training.

You’ve heard the saying that the best exercise is the one you’ll actually do?

Find something you love to do.  With summer just around the corner, this shouldn’t be as hard.

Well, go ahead and do it. 🙂

Get enough sleep:

I’m talking 7-9 hours per night.  Seriously!

Sometimes menopause can bring on (or ramp up) sleep problems.

The most important thing to do is set a daily routine where you’re relaxing with no screen-time (computers, tablet, phone, tv) a couple hours before your bedtime. Electronic devices emit strong blue light which can prevent the release of melatonin, your sleep hormone.

Try reading a book or having a bath. It’s also important to have dim lights in your surroundings to reduce your exposure to blue light before bed. Regular indoor lighting is usually blue light. Ideally, you would use amber or red lights, or even be ultra-stylin’ with blue-blocker sunglasses.

Here are some more tips for a good night sleep.

Find great stress relieving activities:

Do whatever works for you. Just make sure you do it regularly as a preventative measure to avoid accumulated stress.

Have you tried meditating, deep breathing, or having a warm bath?  What about the new craze of colouring?

Bonus points for using exercise as a form of stress relief.

Still not sure where to start? This 7-Day Hormone Reboot Challenge may be just the thing you are looking for 🙂

Conclusion:

You now have an arsenal of great ideas to stave off those menopause symptoms naturally.  

Now go ahead and make two of these mason jar salads to eliminate any excuse of not being able to get fresh veggies when you’re out and about. 

Mason Jar Veggie Salad
Serves 2

3 tablespoons almond butter
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
1 tablespoon maple syrup
2 teaspoons sesame oil
½ granny smith apple (diced)
4 radishes (sliced)
2 celery stalks (diced)
4 tablespoons of your favourite nuts or seeds (walnuts, slivered almonds, pumpkin seeds, etc.)
4-6 cups of your favourite greens (spinach, kale, mixed greens, etc.)

Add first four ingredients to a small bowl & whisk until smooth.
Add apple to dressing (so it’s covered and won’t brown) and divide between two mason jars.
Layer the radishes, celery, nuts/seeds, and greens on top and seal.
When ready to eat shake up the jar, open and enjoy or pour it into a large bowl to mix more thoroughly.
Tip:  Wide-mouth jars work best for this ah-mazing way to bring veggies with you wherever you go!

References:

http://www.precisionnutrition.com/all-about-menopause
https://authoritynutrition.com/11-natural-menopause-tips/
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/menopause-time-change/what-can-you-do-hot-flashes-and-other-menopausal-symptoms