Last month I posted an instagram post on hot flashes. I got lots of DM’s asking what exactly did I do to combat mine. Well, to date, I still have them. Yes, they are subsided but they still come and go.
One of the most annoying things about hot flashes is that you feel like your head is going to blow up. Literally, I mean I used to be teaching a class then all of a sudden, boom, at hot flash. I consider myself lucky because usually I am half naked when I was teaching, The sweating was sometimes comical, I would be warming up the class and I would be sweating profusely. I would say it my mind “I’M BURING CALORIES” lol My positive mindset at work.
At first they were madly annoying, then they would come at night. Oh those dreadful night-sweats. I would literally wake every hour on the hour. I would feel as though I wanted to jump out of my skin. That when it started to disrupt my sleep. No one wants to experience a midlife woman without sleep. We wonder then why we have mood swings. I researched and read each article and felt like my head was spinning. I asked everyone I knew and got million of different remedies I always thought I would be one of those women who was going to escape hot flashes. I’ve been exercising all my life. So I began to research why some women have them and some don’t. Again I heard or read things like, “if your mother had them, you’ll have them” or “if you exercise regularly you won’t get them” All theories from many different resources.
According to the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) there is currently no evidence based data as to why some women get them and some don’t.
As a midlife health and wellness coach, I realize that no two women are the same. No two menopause studies are the same. We are all individual, so we must rely on oursleves and our own bodies to make desicions to alleviate hot flashes.
One I researched bio identical hormones and at one point, my hot flashes were so bad at night, I was going to give them a try. I’ve heard many women success stories with taking this and some not so successful. My gyno recommended a mild anti depressant, which I was ready to take. However, I made a very important and personal decision for my life. I needed to pay closer attention to my health NOW. I was 52 when I went into menopause. I am currently 56 next month 57. I mean I examined every aspect of my fitness, nutrition, sleep, stress reduction, you name it, I was ready to take a closer look. I started to evaluate my diet, I hired a Registered Dietician. I made necessary changes to my food intake and choices, I lost 22 lbs. I examined my stress levels and started a gratitude practice. I started to look at my habits before I went to bed. Made specific changes. Most importantly I took a look at what made me feel alive and joyful and what made me feel not so good. Yes, that included my wine, I realized my body was telling me 2 is your new limit or your going to feel lousy tomorrow. Oh the days of being able to drink and drink and sleep and sleep 🙂 What I did change the most was my mindset. I am here, alive and full of life. Listen to your body, go with the changes and live your best life.
To date accupuncture has worked for me, I no longer have night sweats unless I over indulge in my alcohol consumption. I also take HPA adapt which is a natural remedy. You can look on my shop page. These in conjunction with my acupuncture, my clean eating and my mindfulness in all areas of my life, has reduced the severity of my hot flashes.
You must look at yourself as a whole. All things matter. YOU matter
Leave me a comment below and let me know what worked for you. Please share this with a friend or someone you know who might need this information,
Here’s to continued health, happiness and FUN
Maria Lorenzo