Menopause – and so much more

Menopause is is a big topic nowadays, which is great as previous generations of women often suffered in silence.

Today there is loads of information, advice and solutions.

My photo demonstrates the cooling mechanism of a plant

Some women choose HRT, others prefer natural supplements or lifestyle changes and many experts also recommend stress-management techniques.

I fully agree with addressing stress and to me it's releasing it, rather than 'just' managing it.

And I'd like to introduce another possibility: Learning how to work with your body rather than against it.

As a TRE Provider, I often meet women who feel that menopause has left them disconnected from themselves.

They describe feeling wired and tired, anxious, irritable, overwhelmed or simply 'not quite themselves'.

While TRE is not a treatment for menopause, it may help support women during a time of significant change.

Let's talk about the nervous system

Many common (menopausal) symptoms can feel more intense when we're stressed.

I put menopausal in brackets as this statement generally applies to symptoms and stress.

“The heaviness in my back just lifted.

I honestly didn’t know I could feel this relaxed.”

Carl

Hot flushes, sleep difficulties, anxiety, irritability, low mood and brain fog are all influenced not only by hormonal changes but also by what's happening in the nervous system.

When we're under pressure, our bodies produce stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline.

During menopause, some women find that they become more sensitive to stress and that their usual coping strategies no longer seem to work as well as they once did.

This is where TRE may offer support.

TRE does two things:

It supports the body in releasing accumulated tension and moves the nervous system towards greater regulation and balance.

The big ones: Hot flushes and sleep

Many women notice that stress can make hot flushes feel worse.

Because TRE helps the body release physical tension and often promotes a sense of relaxation, some women find that they feel calmer and sleep more deeply after practising.

This can be particularly beneficial when hot flushes and night sweats are disturbing sleep and creating a cycle of exhaustion and increased stress.

"Yes, I have been practising and noticing the benefits:

I feel  more relaxed and I am getting better sleep." Clara

For some people – and that includes everybody, not 'just' menopausal women – a short TRE practice in the late afternoon or early evening becomes a helpful way of winding down before bed.

Anxiety, overwhelm and mood swings

One of the things I still find fascinating – especially as talking had always been my go-to, I even started training as a counsellor – is that TRE works through the body rather than the analytical mind.

Many of my clients, men in particular, appreciate that nothing needs to be verbalised or analysed.

The body does 'the work'.

When we're anxious or overwhelmed, we often try to think or analyse our way out of it. Yet the nervous system doesn't tend to respond to logic.

"For years I thought anxiety was just part of my personality. TRE helped me realise how much tension I was carrying in my body.

I now feel more grounded and less reactive."

Tricia

By helping the body release tension, TRE may create a greater sense of calm, safety and resilience.

Many people describe feeling less reactive and more able to respond thoughtfully to life's challenges and often their environment notices the difference first.

Brain fog and feeling 'not yourself'

Many women describe brain fog as one of the most frustrating symptoms of menopause.

When we're chronically stressed, it can be difficult to think clearly, concentrate or remember things.

While TRE isn't a cure for brain fog, many people report feeling more grounded, present and mentally clear after a session.

“Wow. That’s the word. I walked into the session full of tension and walked out lighter, much calmer and my ADHD mind feels so much clearer.”

Kirsty

This may be because the body is no longer carrying quite so much tension and stress as the nervous system is well regulated and calmer.

I believe menopause deserves a whole-person approach

Sure, hormones matter and also sleep, stress and nutrition.

And, perhaps most importantly, listening to our bodies matters.

Last but not least: working with our bodies, rather than against them.

As well as teaching TRE, I'm also trained in nutrition according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

TCM looks at the energetic qualities of foods and drinks and how they may influence the body's internal balance, the chi or life energy.

For women experiencing symptoms such as feeling overly hot, we can explore foods and drinks that are traditionally considered more cooling and therefore supportive.

I'm generally offering nutritional consultations and until the end of June, I'm including a TCM consultation to explore warming and cooling foods when booking a TRE course.

If you'd like to explore whether TRE could support you during menopause, I look forward to having a conversation with you.

I believe – and have witnessed both in myself and in my work with clients – that our bodies have more wisdom to offer than we realise.

If you are curious to explore how your own body might support you, I'd love to hear from you.