Tired, irritable, hot flushes, night sweats and weight gain are all common complaints for women entering the menopause. Fatigue is one issue that slips below the radar.
Julie Dargan, The Menopause Whisperer. RN, ND, BHSc
Julie Dargan, The Menopause Whisperer. RN, ND, BHSc
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I want to get out of this black hole once and for all and step into the light. The fatigue is unbearable. Susie D
Tired, irritable, hot flushes, night sweats and weight gain are all common complaints for women entering the menopause.
Fatigue is one issue that slips below the radar.
Fatigue can be defined as an ongoing and persistent feeling of weakness, tiredness, and lowered energy levels as opposed to sleepiness.
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Fatigue involves a lack of energy rather than sleepiness, hence having a nap during the day does nothing to alleviate any fatigue.
You may feel a lag in energy levels that lasts all day, or experience shorter bursts of fatigue intermittently.
Fatigue is particularly frustrating as it has a duel effect on both mind and body, making you feel despondent and frustrated.
The most likely cause of fatigue during the menopause phase of a woman's life is the fluctuation of hormones that occurs naturally during this time.
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Your hormones are responsible for controlling energy, thus, when levels of estrogen and progesterone decrease, so do energy levels.
Here are my four top tips to help you overcome fatigue and have more energy in your day.
1. Stop "dieting" and start enjoying your food.
As women enter the menopause, weight gain can be an issue. They then begin the diet trap and rather than lose weight, they lose energy and find themselves fighting fatigue.
I prefer to use the Greek origin of the word diet when helping women lose weight and that is changing your Manner of Living.
Most diets have you craving foods while you are dieting. What then happens is that you are tired and fatigued while on the diet. You then put these foods on a pedestal causing you to over-indulge in them when you finish your diet.
A diet should not have a time limit on it, nor make you feel deprived.
This advice may not be so new to you but is advice that needs some attention.
Exercise is what gets those feel-good hormones moving through your body, giving you the energy you are looking for.
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Nothing beats a good walk in the fresh air. It does not have to be a power walk, or high intensity, but does have to be at least 30 minutes a day.
3. Increase your water intake.
With the high amount of tea and coffee being consumed we often do not think that perhaps the reason for our fatigue is due to dehydration.
Tea and coffee are both diuretics which increase the rate at which fluid is lost from your body.
Start the day with a glass of water and you will be amazed at the difference this one little change will make to your day.
4. Make life simple.
To all of you "superwomen" out there, stop!
Start taking care of yourself.
Learn to say no.
Say no more often to others, and say yes more often to yourself.
Fatigue is a sign that you are not taking care of yourself, so listen to your body and take heed.
Relax and make life more simple.
It does not have to be complicated.
You are in control.
Make life more simple!
What have you done to help ease fatigue? I would love to hear your thoughts on this article.
You can leave your comments below and I will answer everyone's questions.
Julie Dargan is a Nurse, Naturopath BHSc and has worked in the wellness industry for over 30 years. Julie's FREE 5 Day Kickstart Program is excellent to get you on the right track in your weight loss quest. Julie also has a private Facebook group for women over 50 and looking for solutions to halt weight gain in the menopause.
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