Anxiety affects many perimenopausal women. Hormonal fluctuations during Perimenopause and menopause can cause sudden emotional and physical changes, and for those who already struggle with anxiety and depression, these can quickly become problematic.
To compound the problem, the timing of Perimenopause and menopause often coincides with typical mid-life concerns, such as marital issues, childcare, concern about aging parents, and career changes.
For those seeking a natural way to address perimenopausal anxiety, we have a few tips and suggestions that could help.
A Natural Approach to Perimenopause and menopause Anxiety
- Change up your morning routine. Perimenopause and menopause anxiety tends to be worse in the morning as this is when cortisol levels are highest. If you usually start your day with coffee and checking your email, try prioritizing self-care first. Take an hour to do some yoga, meditate, listen to soothing music, or do some light exercise.
- Exercise daily. Even short bursts of activity help to clear the head and give you a nice boost of serotonin and dopamine, the feel-good hormones. Doing so will help conquer brain fog and make it easier to manage your daily workload.
- Change your diet. Sugar, caffeine, and alcohol can all increase anxious feelings. Plus, they can disrupt your sleep routine and cause your energy to crash throughout the day. Eliminate processed foods, trade your morning coffee for green tea, and reduce alcohol intake as much as possible.
- Quit smoking. If you smoke, you’ve likely thought about quitting. Now’s the time!
- Prioritize self-care. Anything that helps you relax is a good thing. Get massages, join a yoga class, or schedule daily “me time.” Even if it’s just to take a stroll around the neighborhood, make yourself a priority.
Natural Supplements for Perimenopausal Anxiety
Some herbal anxiety supplements may interact with medications you already take. Be sure to consult your doctor first. Here are a few natural and herbal remedies that may work for perimenopausal anxiety:
- Valerian
- Melatonin (before bed only)
- John’s Wort
- Dong Quai
- Wild Yam (topical or oral supplement)
- Vitamin D
- Ginseng (tea, liquid, or capsules)
- Black Cohosh
Perimenopause and menopause is a journey. Intentional healing during this time of life may help ease the transition into menopause, reduce anxiety, and help you maintain your sense of self along the way.
Want to learn more about how you can get great sleep during perimenopause? Sign up for a discovery call, join the IGNITE Community, or call my Voxer lifeline. I look forward to hearing from you and I can’t wait to help you on your healing journey.