Mind Matters | Menopause blues

Query

I am a 55-year-old homemaker who has of late been feeling emotionally vulnerable. There are days when I feel like crying for no reason and other times I am infuriated by everything. My emotions fluctuate all the time and it is exhausting. I suspect this is because of my menopause. Always feeling this way is making me restless and I would appreciate it if you can offer some coping tips. -A stressed homemaker 

Answered by Alisha Humagain, Psychosocial Counselor, Happy Minds 

Going through a menopause can be emotionally difficult. The estrogen level in the body is elevated, making your emotions unstable. Estrogen is linked with the neurotransmitters in your brain, which is why your emotions can fluctuate a lot, making you restless. You will also be going through several hormonal changes that can affect your emotional stability. 

Feeling this way is in a way inevitable. But there are things you can do to balance these emotions. First, it is important to ask yourself what is triggering your emotions. This is where you have to understand your estrogen levels and hormonal changes. You will feel much calmer after you are aware of the reasons behind your mood changes.

Besides bodily changes, other things can also be causing you stress. It is necessary to identify those triggers as well. Only then can we proceed to the next step. 

The second thing you can do is address your emotions. Suppressing emotions and being in denial is even more stressful. You will be better off accepting what you are feeling, like anxiety and depression, and figuring out what can calm you down. One thing you can do is talk to someone who has already gone through menopause. They might be able to help you out with the things they have tried for themselves. This will assure you that you are not alone: others are also going through or have gone through something similar.

It is hard to get a good night’s sleep during menopause. So if you feel like taking a nap during the day, go for it. As a homemaker, you may not have a lot of free time. But it is necessary to prioritize yourself and allocate enough resting time, which will help you reduce your stress. You can practice yoga and mindfulness too. They are very good ways to keep yourself calm and stable throughout the day.

There are many ways of practicing mindfulness. Say, if you have a personal morning routine, you can do it with your mind focused on the activities at hand rather than doing them like chores you must complete. Being mindful is all about being fully aware of what you are doing.  

If you still feel stressed and emotionally volatile, you can always see a counselor.