Once a year I take a break from blogging as I head off down to Cornwall with the dogs! I only ever allow completely trusted sources to take over this space and this year it's the turn of Jodie a wonderful menopause hypnotherapist specialist who I met at the Cotswold Menopause Fayre last year. Since then we've become firm friends and she recently joined me on my first Natural Wellness Menopause Day experience which the women attending loved! This month's blog is by Jodie Marsh from Cotswold Healing Therapies talking about your mental health and preventing emotional breakdowns in menopause.
"Navigating the complexities of menopause can be challenging, especially when it comes to maintaining mental health. As hormonal changes take their toll, many women experience emotional upheavals, anxiety, and even breakdowns and life can sometimes feel like an emotional roller-coaster. But remember, you're not alone in this journey! In this blog, we're going to explore some gentle, effective ways to keep your mental health in check during menopause. We'll delve into the soothing world of hypnotherapy, and how it can help you stay positive and resilient. So, grab a cup of herbal tea and let's explore how to make this transition smoother, together.
Your Mental Health and Preventing Emotional Breakdowns
Menopause is a milestone, a moment of transformation that touches you deeply, both physically and mentally. During this time, it's crucial to be kind to yourself, recognizing that self-compassion can play a vital role in maintaining mental health and emotional well-being. Let's explore why being your own best friend is so crucial during menopause:
The importance of being kind to yourself during menopause
Menopause can bring a whirlwind of emotions, from sadness to irritability to anxiety. Instead of pushing these feelings away, acknowledge them. Understanding that it's normal to feel this way can reduce self-criticism and help you manage emotional fluctuations more effectively. High stress levels can intensify menopausal symptoms. Being kind to yourself includes managing stress through relaxation techniques, such as mindfulness, deep breathing, and taking time for activities you enjoy. Lowering stress can help to ease symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings.
Remember to put your well-being first. Whether it's soaking in a bath, getting lost in a book, or breathing in the fresh air on a walk, these moments of self-care can bring fresh energy to your mind and body. Take a break from your everyday duties, it's not just okay, it's necessary. Don’t forget, the way you speak to yourself matters. Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Remind yourself of your strengths and achievements. Positive self-talk can boost your self-esteem and enhance your emotional resilience.
Treating yourself with kindness is about acknowledging when you need a helping hand and being brave enough to ask for it. You're never alone, whether it's a chat with a friend, joining a group of like-minded individuals, or turning to a professional - there's a network of support ready to offer support and advice when life gets tough.
Gentle exercise can improve your mood and overall health. Activities like yoga, swimming, or even a daily walk can help reduce stress, enhance sleep quality, and boost endorphins, the body's natural mood lifters. Nourishing your body with healthy foods can have a positive impact on your mental health. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in your diet. Staying hydrated and reducing caffeine and alcohol intake can also help manage symptoms.
Menopause isn't just about managing symptoms—it's an invitation to deepen the love and care you show yourself. By embracing self-compassion, you can sail through this life transition with a gentler, more loving touch, enhancing your peace of mind and overall well-being.
Embracing the Benefits of Menopause for Mental Well-Being
Menopause is often seen as a challenging phase, but it's also a life stage that brings numerous benefits, particularly for your mental health. It's a natural part of life that opens up a world of opportunities for self-discovery and enjoyment in your next life chapter.
Think of it as a period for deep self-reflection and acceptance. As you step beyond your reproductive years, you can love your body and life experiences even more. This stage can boost your sense of empowerment and self-confidence, as you celebrate the wisdom and strength you've gained over time. Plus, saying goodbye to menstrual cycles means bidding farewell to the physical and emotional strains tied to menstruation, providing you a newfound sense of freedom.
As you transition through menopause, you may find you have more energy to devote to personal growth and self-improvement. Now could be the perfect time to pick up new hobbies, advance your education, or dive into creative projects. With grown-up children and a well-established career, you can focus more on self-care and finding what truly sparks joy and satisfaction. This shift can lead to a more balanced and rewarding life.
Going through menopause can also enrich your relationships. Open discussions about the changes you're experiencing can deepen bonds with family, friends, and partners and create a greater sense of empathy and support. Many women also report an increase in mental clarity and focus after menopause, which can be a real boon for both personal and professional pursuits.
Menopause signifies the start of an exciting new chapter filled with enjoyment and exploration. With fewer responsibilities, there’s more room to indulge in activities that bring pleasure and fulfilment. Whether it's travelling, socializing, or trying new things, this life stage can be truly rewarding. Embracing menopause as a natural part of aging can also help you maintain a healthy perspective on growing older, leading to a more fulfilling and active lifestyle in your later years.
By acknowledging and embracing these positive aspects, you can approach menopause with a positive mindset. This transition is a special chance to celebrate your life’s journey, cultivate new interests, and enjoy the freedom and wisdom that come with age. Embracing menopause as a period of growth and acceptance can significantly enhance your mental well-being and overall quality of life.
How Hypnotherapy Can Help During Menopause
Hypnotherapy is a powerful tool that can provide significant relief from the mental and physical challenges of menopause. By accessing the subconscious mind, hypnotherapy can help you overcome suppressed emotions, release negative narratives, reduce stress and anxiety, and alleviate physical symptoms associated with this transition.
Overcoming Suppressed Emotions Linked to Previous Life Experiences
Menopause often brings unresolved emotions and experiences to the surface. Hypnotherapy allows you to access and process these suppressed emotions in a safe and supportive environment. By addressing these underlying issues, you can achieve emotional healing and closure, which can improve your overall mental health and well-being.
Release of the Negative Narrative Linked to "The Change"
It's not uncommon for society to cast menopause in a less than flattering light, suggesting it's a challenging and unwelcome stage. Hypnotherapy can help reframe these narratives, allowing you to view menopause as a positive and natural part of life. By changing your perspective, you can embrace this transition with acceptance and optimism, reducing feelings of fear and resistance.
Reduction of Stress and Anxiety
The hormonal changes during menopause can lead to increased stress and anxiety. Hypnotherapy uses relaxation techniques and positive suggestions to calm the mind and body. This practice can significantly reduce stress levels, promoting a sense of peace and tranquillity. As a result, you’ll be better equipped to handle the emotional ups and downs that often accompany menopause.
Reduction in Physical Symptoms of Menopause
Hypnotherapy can also alleviate some of the physical symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and insomnia. Through guided imagery and relaxation techniques, hypnotherapy helps regulate the body’s response to stress and hormonal changes. Many women find that regular hypnotherapy sessions can lead to a noticeable reduction in the frequency and severity of these symptoms.
Enhancing Overall Well-Being
By addressing both the mental and physical aspects of menopause, hypnotherapy provides a holistic approach to managing this life stage. Regular sessions can help you develop healthier coping mechanisms, improve your sleep patterns, and boost your overall sense of well-being. This comprehensive approach ensures that you feel more balanced and in control during menopause.
Incorporating hypnotherapy into your menopause management plan can offer significant benefits. By overcoming suppressed emotions, releasing negative narratives, reducing stress and anxiety, and alleviating physical symptoms, hypnotherapy can help you navigate menopause with greater ease and positivity, allowing you to embrace this natural transition and discover a renewed sense of balance and well-being.
How EFT Can Help with Menopause
EFT, or "tapping," is a method that combines the principles of cognitive therapy and acupressure to help manage menopause-related concerns. By gently tapping on specific points on our body while expressing your emotions, EFT can help manage the emotional rollercoaster that often comes with menopause. This technique encourages emotional balance and tranquillity, effectively reducing stress and anxiety by harmonizing the body's energy system and decreasing cortisol production.
Not only does EFT help balance emotions, but it can also help manage physical symptoms like hot flushes, night sweats, and disruptions to sleep. By soothing the nervous system and promoting overall wellness, EFT can help make these symptoms more manageable. Regular use of EFT can help change negative perceptions about menopause and promote a more positive and empowering mindset. Additionally, EFT can help process unresolved emotions and improve sleep quality, making it easier to navigate the obstacles of menopause. Adding EFT to your regular routine can offer a comprehensive approach to managing menopause, promoting better ease and wellness during this transformative stage.
The Benefits of Reiki in Menopause
Reiki, a form of energy healing originating in Japan, offers a holistic approach to managing the physical and emotional symptoms of menopause. By channelling universal life energy through gentle touch or non-touch techniques, Reiki provides several benefits for women navigating this transitional phase of life.
During menopause, hormonal imbalances can lead to a range of uncomfortable symptoms, including hot flashes, mood swings, and fatigue. Reiki works to balance the body’s energy centres, known as chakras, which in turn can help regulate hormonal fluctuations, promoting a greater sense of physical and emotional well-being.
Menopause can be a stressful time as women contend with both physical changes and the emotional impact of this life transition. Reiki induces a state of deep relaxation, allowing the body to release tension and stress. Through the gentle flow of healing energy, Reiki helps calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and promote a sense of inner peace.
Many women experience a range of emotions during menopause, including sadness, frustration, and uncertainty. Reiki provides a supportive space for processing these feelings and promoting emotional balance. By addressing energetic blockages and releasing negative emotions, Reiki empowers a greater sense of clarity, acceptance, and resilience.
Sleep disturbances are common during menopause, often due to hormonal changes and heightened stress levels. Reiki promotes deep relaxation, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. By quieting the mind and balancing the body’s energy, Reiki can help improve sleep quality and restore vital energy levels.
Fatigue is a common complaint among menopausal women, often stemming from disrupted sleep patterns and hormonal fluctuations. Reiki revitalizes the body’s energy systems, replenishing depleted energy reserves and promoting a renewed sense of vitality. Many women report feeling more energized and rejuvenated after a Reiki session.
Menopause is more than just a physical change—it can be a powerful journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening. Through Reiki, you can tap into your own wisdom and spiritual core, helping you to navigate this profound life transition with mindfulness and tranquillity. It's a supportive hand guiding you through the deep, meaningful questions that often bubble up during this transformative period.
When combined with hypnotherapy through HypnoticReiki, the deep physical relaxation and energy balancing of Reiki blends harmoniously with the deep relaxation of the mind of hypnotherapy, enabling great transformation to occur through relaxation."
Supporting Your Menopause Journey with Cotswold Healing Therapies
At Cotswold Healing Therapies, Jodie offers a unique and holistic approach to supporting women through their menopause journey. Combining hypnotherapy, Reiki, and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) with a supportive coaching mindset, Jodie provides comprehensive support to help women navigate this transformative phase of life with greater ease and well-being.
With Jodie’s supportive coaching mindset, you’ll receive personalized guidance and encouragement throughout your menopause journey. Jodie provides a safe and non-judgmental space for you to explore your experiences, set goals, and develop strategies for navigating this phase of life with confidence and resilience.
Jodie offers a holistic and empowering approach to supporting women through their menopause journey. Whether you’re seeking relief from physical symptoms, emotional support, or guidance in embracing this transformative phase of life.
Jodie is here to help you thrive and find greater well-being.
Find out more about Cotswold Menopause's Natural Menopause Wellness Days here!
KNOWLEDGE . PAUSE . FLOURISH
