As menopause starts, it is crucial to make health a priority. There are many holistic ways to make the process of menopause easier and to lessen common symptoms such as sweating, flushing, rapid heartbeat, insomnia, dizziness and fluctuations in body temperature. Eating well is crucial, as certain foods will help the body function optimally even as hormonal levels fluctuate. Regular exercise is also crucial. Bones thin as menopause progresses; thus, regular weight-bearing exercise is important to keep bones strong.
Curing the Flashes
Step 1
Modify the diet to limit the intake of red meat, spicy foods, alcohol and fatty foods. Increase the amount of fresh vegetables, fruits, whole wheat, soy and flax. Soy products may help boost estrogen levels and thus decrease intensity of hot flash occurrence. Women living in cultures with high consumption of soy in the diet have far lower incidence of hot flashes than American women.
Step 2
Talk to your doctor about adding vitamins to your diet to help handle symptoms of menopause. Vitamins that may be helpful to limit hot flashes include: vitamins C, E, A, and also calcium. Eat foods that are rich in these vitamins too to help build better health.
Step 3
Ginseng intake may help to lower body temperature and relieve hot flashes. Speak with your doctor about any possible benefits of adding ginseng to your health regimen. Research side effects of ginseng prior to starting the use of this herb. As always, check with your doctor before beginning any holistic herb treatment.
Step 4
Look into treatment with acupuncture, which may be helpful to treat symptoms of menopause. Do research, talk to your doctor, and decide if acupuncture may be a valid treatment for you.
Step 5
Add yoga and meditation to your routine. These activities help restore calm and balance to the body. Find quiet time to participate in meditation and yoga. Your body will then be better able to handle stress and the fluctuating hormones of menopause.
Tips and Warnings
- Do various types of exercise such as aerobic, weight bearing and yoga to keep the body performing optimally. Exercise may combat the insomnia associated with hot flashes.
- Talk to your doctor before beginning any holistic treatment for hot flashes. Treatment with herbs, acupuncture, or vitamins may have harmful side effects, so discuss these treatments with doctor before beginning any new health regimen.
Things You'll Need
- Exercise clothing
- Vitamins
- Ginseng
- Soy, vegetables, fruits, whole wheat products
