Why you should see menopause as fertile ground for new beginnings

Perimenopause, menopause, postmenopause. "Ugh" is the attitude many women have towards the changes their bodies undergo as natural fertility gradually wanes and then stops. It's something you just have to get through.

The heat, sleep problems, and mood swings can be exasperating. In the meantime, you have work and family issues to deal with. And for some women, there's the added burden of caring for a loved one. That's a lot to take in and emotionally difficult.

But is menopause nothing more than a denial, meaning the end of being young, fertile, and wrinkle-free? Or could it also be a beginning, something positive?

Of course it can be, says Dr. Petra Beschoner, a specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy. It just depends on how you treat it.

You should "see it not as the end of your femininity, but as the beginning of a new phase of life free from the biological concerns of menstruation, contraception, and hormonal fluctuations."

Realizing that youthful insecurity has given way to inner strength will boost your self-esteem, she says. The ability to set boundaries and clearly identify your needs usually increases with age. Many menopausal women feel an opening for new projects, relationships, and self-fulfillment.

How can you shape this phase of life, proactively and independently? Beschoner recommends conscious reflection, namely writing a farewell letter to the old phase and a welcome letter to the new phase. What do you want now? And what is possible?

Another tip is to create "a structured self-care plan with small steps for each area of ​​your life," a plan that you should realistically be able to incorporate into your daily routine. Here are some examples of what it might include:

In your workplace, realistically adjust your expectations and, if necessary, renegotiate priorities; allow for small breaks and make sure you take them; delegate tasks, rather than silently taking all the responsibility yourself.

In intimate relationships, openly address the changes, for example by saying things like: "I get irritated more easily now, but that's because of my situation, not because of you"; cultivate shared rituals and redefine intimacy, that is, take the pressure off by focusing on love and emotional closeness.

In caregiving, insist on support. Involve your partner, children or other relatives and consider getting outside help; stop trying to be a perfectionist and accept "good enough".

Anything that stabilizes mood and psychological resilience during the menopausal years will help strengthen your inner strength, for example "regular moderate exercise, good sleep hygiene, mindfulness, and stress relief through meditation, breathing exercises, or journaling," says Beschoner.

"Comparing notes with other women at a similar stage in life often has a tremendously relieving effect as well."

In short, while you can't escape menopause, you can shape your menopausal years. If you view them as a transition, you can make adjustments, set boundaries, and take your interests more seriously.

You can finally start something you may have neglected all those years: a life with more self-determination, calmness and inner strength./ DPA News.