Summer is here and you're feeling the heat in Perimenopause and Menopause
Why you're feeling so hot and tips to stay cool.
Hi lovelies
After much drizzle and grey skies, Munich decided to bring the sun back into summer and it’s HOT! Dare I say it with my freckled skin who likes to watch the sun from the shade… too hot!
Not to mention I’ve been feeling hot lately and not the sexy kind. It’s like my body is running on a new heating system.
Maybe you can relate. You’re cranking open windows, fiddling with the car air con, kicking off the duvet at night then piling it back on again and wondering if it’s the weather or your hormones or both.
Did you know that Hot flushes and generally feeling hotter is neurological?
This week I’m focussing on the brain and the vital role it plays in Perimenopause & Menopause. If you are on Instagram you can find out more here.
The hypothalamus, the part of your brain that regulates body temperature, is influenced by estrogen. When estrogen starts fluctuating (hello, perimenopause), your hypothalamus gets more sensitive and may feel like it hasn’t quite gauged the vibe of the room.
Tips on how to stay cool from a Menopause Coaching Specialist in her Peri Era too. Save when you need them.
Dress Like a Layered Legend. Remember when you danced in DC10 or grooved up a storm in Pikes… bring out those fans from your wardrobe and cool down on the tube and train in style. Layers are your BFF depending on what temperature you are running at. Go for linen (I hear from my recent London trip that linen is the IN thing right now) and cotton plus natural fibres that let your skin breathe.
Track What’s Turning Up the Heat. That second espresso or Lillet or maybe it’s your favourite spicy sauce. Everyone’s triggers are different. My clients often spot patterns once they track what’s going on. No judgment it’s a just gentle data-gathering that help.
Reframe the Flush. Stress makes hot flushes worse. The more pressure you feel to hide it, the more intense it gets - I know, I know.
Try this instead:
I’m not melting… I’m having a power surge.
Own it. If it feels ok, say it out loud.
If you are feeling the beads of sweat starting to appear try tapping. You calms your nervous system and shifts the way you relate and think about symptoms. Here is an example of subtle finger tap you can do while you are in that meeting.
Bonus tip: Cold water swimming? Total nervous system reset.My friend Lynn Darbyshire swears by it and says it go her through into her post menopause years.
What are your go to tips when the heat strikes? Let me know in the comments.
