STRESS AND MENOPAUSE-Beginning to Cope

When learning to change a habit or an emotional response to a situation or condition, introspection is
most important. Looking inside yourself can teach you about the feelings and triggers that drive your
responses. Many of us repress our feelings to a situation that we feel we have no control over. This
results in not understanding why we may feel overwhelmed or stressed during the course of our day. This
will then contribute to the stress response by raising blood pressure, causing an anxious state within
us, causing muscle aches and headaches, it can even trigger more hot flashes!

So what can you do? How do you start to gain control over this beast called STRESS?

Learn to know what you feel and why you feel it. Many of us are taught at an early age that we are not
supposed to feel or express anger or aggressive thoughts and we learn to repress these thoughts. Over a
life time of denial, this can lead to resentment and an underlying unease that is difficult to identify. It can
also cause us to be completely out of touch with the root our thoughts and feelings. Keeping a journal,
talking with trusted friends or a counselor can help you to get back in touch with how you are processing
your feelings.

There are times when you may need to take ACTION in a meaningful way. This can be as simple as
starting an exercise program, reconnection with a church and prayer, learning to meditate. Or it can
be as major as a job change, moving to a new community, severing a harmful relationship that has no
chance of changing. Working on your inner thoughts and motivations will help you to know when to
take these actions.

Learning to change negative thoughts or self talk can change your perspective on your day and life and
help you to feel more in control. Are you someone who always focuses on the worst aspects of your day
despite the many positive things that happen? Do you see things as only black or white, good or bad? Do
you personalize everything negative that happens and assume that these things occur because of you?

Learning to think in a positive way will help to eliminate this negative thought pattern and the stress
that comes with it. Write down the common negative thoughts that you tend to have during the day,
and then construct a positive version of that thought. For example you may think “I cannot do this
because it is to hard”, instead you could think “I will rise to this challenge and try”. “I don’t have enough
time” can become “I will re-organize my day and make the time”.

Learning to think positively, focusing on your inner strength and abilities, turning inwardly to examine
your thoughts and feelings and acknowledging them; are all important tools to begin controlling the
stress in your life and your health! We are here to help you with that, and please share with us your
thoughts, concerns and worries along with your successes and triumphs. As a community, we can help
each other!