| Although pregnancy isn't a major concern for | | | | The severity of anxiety women experience will |
| most menopausal women, anxiety can be. In fact, | | | | vary, and is usually at its worst during |
| anxiety is one of the most common | | | | perimenopause. Symptoms of anxiety tend to |
| perimenopausal and menopausal symptom. | | | | taper off after menopause is complete. However, |
| Anxiety is something that everyone experiences | | | | despite how anxiety may affect you, it is |
| during different periods in their life. It is normal to | | | | important to seek treatment if the anxiety you |
| feel anxious, nervous or worried at times, but | | | | feel is debilitating or interrupting your lifestyle. |
| these are feelings that should not be felt | | | | The following are 5 ways in which you can help |
| constantly or make one feel overwhelmed or | | | | relieve the anxiety you feel: |
| trapped. | | | | 1. Identify and reduce the stressors in your life - |
| What causes anxiety during menopause? | | | | Carefully analyze your life and think about what |
| Menopausal women are more susceptible to | | | | triggers your anxiety or causes you high stress. |
| anxiety due to the fact that their hormones are | | | | Is it your job, your home life, or the people you |
| in a constant state of fluctuation as their body | | | | work with? Do you feel like you don't have |
| prepares to shut down its ability to reproduce. | | | | enough time to get things done? Once you |
| During this time, many women suffer from | | | | identify stress, you need to find ways to alleviate |
| depression and high stress levels. It is believed | | | | it. This may mean changing jobs, getting help at |
| that feelings of depression are a result of | | | | home, and finding ways to free up more of your |
| insufficient estrogen, and anxiety is often a | | | | time. |
| symptom of depression. | | | | 2. Take time to enjoy yourself - You need to |
| In addition, research has found that the hormone | | | | make time to relax and do things you enjoy. |
| progesterone, which also depletes during | | | | Everyone needs a break. If you don't relax, your |
| menopause, has been known to have a calming | | | | stress with catch up with you. |
| and relaxing effect on the body. Thus, the lack of | | | | 3. Eat well - Avoid crash diets, skipping meals and |
| hormones are unsettling and allow for emotions | | | | eating before bed. These eating programs are |
| that were once overlooked or produced minor | | | | sure ways to increase your anxiety level and |
| anxiety, to be blown out of proportion. | | | | cause restless sleep. Make sure you stay well |
| Anxiety can cause emotional and physical | | | | hydrated, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, |
| symptoms including: | | | | avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, and |
| - Trembling or shaking | | | | stay clear of high fatty, processed foods. Be |
| - Fast heartbeat | | | | good to your body! |
| - Breathlessness | | | | 4. Exercise - Yoga, Tai Chi, walking, swimming, |
| - Tight or full feeling in the chest and/or throat | | | | jogging or playing sports are all excellent ways to |
| - Profuse sweating, or cold and clammy hands | | | | increase energy, clear your mind, boost your |
| - Muscle tension and/or soreness | | | | metabolism, strengthen your body and improve |
| - Dizziness | | | | circulation. |
| - Nausea | | | | 5. Seek the advice of your doctor - If you are |
| - Fatigue | | | | experiencing physical symptoms that are |
| - Constant worry and feeling sad | | | | incapacitating or seriously interfering with your |
| - Lack of concentration | | | | daily and social life, you should seek medical |
| - Irritable | | | | attention. Severe anxiety is a sign that what you |
| - Restless sleep | | | | are suffering from is a disorder. You may need |
| The above symptoms may be felt independently | | | | antidepressants to help you cope with your |
| during different times, or many of them can | | | | situation, or you may find that what you are |
| occur suddenly, last for a period of time, and then | | | | suffering from is not anxiety, but another |
| disappear. This sudden onslaught of anxiety is | | | | condition. |
| known as an anxiety attack or panic attack. | | | | Remember, anxiety is not something that should |
| Women who experience such attacks are likely | | | | be ignored. Take care of yourself by eating well, |
| suffering from an anxiety disorder. | | | | relaxing and tell others about the way you feel. |