1. Uninvited Visitor
You never know when a hot flash will strike when the menopausal years begin. From seemingly nowhere, you feel an inner heat begin to rise from your feet and make its way to the top of your head, turning your skin red and sending rivulets of sweat to the surface to cool you off. While hot flashes seem to have a mind of their own, anxiety, exercise and hot beverages can sometimes trigger them. Avoid those triggers if you don't want to get an uninvited heating.
2. Dress the Part
Get used to dressing in layers. The most natural cure for hot flashes is to just cool it. Take off a jacket or sweater when you feel the beginnings of a hot flash. Wear lightweight shells or t-shirts under a blouse or sweater. Keep a small fan plugged in on your desk and start it up at the first sign of a flash. Add an old-fashioned folding fan to your wardrobe for a quick cure. Hot flashes only last a minute or two and will dissipate quickly when cooled.
3. Herbal Relief for Hot Flashes
Certain herbs and other food sources have proven effective to lower the incidence and severity of hot flashes. Soy is one food source that is particularly good for staving off the curse. It's one of the reasons that Japanese women have a lower rate of hot flashes during menopause; they eat soy as a regular part of their daily diet. Black cohosh, quai and ginseng are herbs that you can take in pill form to help quell hot flashes and night sweats.
4. Change Your Lifestyle
Caffeine seems to trigger hot flashes, as do many hot beverages. Drink cooler beverages to cut down on the number of flashes you get during the day. Smokers and heavy drinkers also seem to experience stronger and more frequent hot flashes, so quitting those two bad habits can not only stave of the heat patrol, but bring other healthy side effects as well.
5. Breathe Deeply
Stress is a major contributor to an increase in hot flashes. Many women compound their menopausal symptoms just by worrying about them too much. When you begin to feel anxious or feel a hot flash coming on, slow down and take deep breaths. Count to 10 as you inhale and do another count as you exhale. Continue with this measured breathing technique until the episode passes. Regular meditation also can help reduce the number and severity of your hot flashes. Acceptance and humor work side by side with stress-relieving practices such as meditation and deep breathing.
