Menopause Tips – How to Thrive in the Holidays, #11 BE KIND TO YOURSELF AND TO OTHERS
This is supposed to be the season of peace and love — so be kind to yourself and others! Keeping your life under control while experiencing poor sleep, memory problems, hot flashes, fatigue, mood swings, and other unpleasant menopause challenges is hard enough. Add to that the stress and “must dos” of the Holiday season and you may want to get under the bed and resurface on December 26th, or go on a vacation by yourself.
I’ve been there! But I’ve learned some useful strategies not only to survive but also to thrive and enjoy the holidays that I want to share with you:
Menopause Tips – How to Thrive in the Holidays
#11 BE KIND TO YOURSELF AND TO OTHERS
Don’t expect and don’t aim for perfection. So what if your sister-in-law last year had a Christmas out of a magazine page? She’s 10 years younger than you and her hormones aren’t bothering her yet (just wait and see!).
Set reasonable and achievable expectations. Lower your standards if you have to – read more about that on #1 MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER DURING THE HOLIDAYS (and afterwards).
Put yourself and your needs first (for a change?). We are our own worst enemy and critic. In midlife we should change the status quo if it no longer serves us right.
With mood swings, anxiety, anger, rage, and all other emotions experienced in perimenopause and menopause, it’s hard to be kind to our loved ones during the stress of the holidays. Try not to say anything you’ll need to apologize for later. That’s easier said than done. The best time to shut up is when you feel that if you don’t say something you’ll explode. Count to 10 before saying anything, breathe—read more on that on #4 BREATHE (intentionally, deeply and often)—and the urge will go away and you will feel much better for having kept your cool. If you know a certain person triggers the worst in you, recognize it and try to avoid it this year. If you can, tune that person out, focus on other people, breathe deeply and slowly, and bite your turkey…It will be over soon and you’ll be so proud that you kept it together. You can do it! Think positive thoughts, this person is not worth your anger, and your mind deserves peace and calm.
If you missed the earlier tips (or just want to read them again), you can find them on my blog:
#1 MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER DURING THE HOLIDAYS (and afterwards)
#2 PLAN AHEAD, #3 KEEP IT SIMPLE
#6, #7, & #8 – ASK FOR HELP AND BE MINDFUL!
Teresa Isabel Dias is a pharmacist and Certified Menopause Practitioner (NCMP) who provides education and support on symptom management for women at work and at home so they’ll feel like themselves again and enjoy a vibrant and productive life.
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