Ways to be Happy During Menopause

Lynn Bomett • February 23, 2023

Ways to be Happy During Menopause

As life happens, age creeps up on us all. We begin to think about retirement plans, travel, and enjoying life with grandchildren.

But for women, menopause can be the opposite of joyful. It can be emotionally draining for some.

The question of how to maintain happiness and enjoy life during menopause begs an answer.

In this article, we will explore ways to maintain happiness during menopause.

Go outdoors.

A change in environment or scenery impacts how we feel about ourselves.

There is just something about going outside that changes how you feel. With fluctuating hormone levels during menopause, spending time outside helps improve your mood and focus and can help support aging.

Research has found that people who spend time outdoors are happier, healthier, less stressed, more creative, and more socially connected.

Being outdoors also improves short-term memory loss and helps fight anxiety and depression.

Get out with friends.

Women are often called the backbone of the home, taking care of everyone else's needs in the family and leaving no time to care for themselves. Sometimes everything can be overwhelming, especially during menopause.

Menopause is a journey that requires self-care. Finding ways to focus and care for yourself increases happiness and improves the quality of life.

Going out on a date with a friend, a workmate, or even a group of women allows for a different focus, environment, and something different to talk or laugh about.

Having a social network during menopause may improve mood and decreases the chances of depression.

Eat a healthy diet.

Eating a healthy diet, such as a diet high in vegetables, fruits, and healthy proteins and fats, has been found to support physical wellbeing and is associated with better mental health outcomes and happier lives.

Healthy fats, like omega-3 fatty acids, may help with menopause symptoms. You can find Omega-3 fatty acids in:

Oily fish, such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, herring, and sardines
Nuts, such as walnuts
Seeds, such as flaxseeds and chia
Certain oils, such as soybean and canola oil

Dark chocolate may also help pick you up during those roller coaster moments.

Avoiding foods such as soda, caffeine, hot peppers, and alcohol helps reduce the symptoms of menopause.

Go to sleep.

Studies from the University of Pennsylvania show that sleep disturbances and insomnia associated with menopause increase stress, sadness, and mental exhaustion. On the other hand, getting enough sleep increases mental alertness and improves focus.

If you have difficulty sleeping or staying asleep at night, talk to your doctor about ways to improve your sleep quality.

Don't worry.

Fluctuating hormone levels during menopause cause increased anxiety which may lead to unhappiness and depression. Finding ways to introduce joy may improve your mood.

Taking your mind off your circumstances and the symptoms of menopause by doing something that takes all your attention, like playing the piano, knitting, or writing, may reduce stress and decrease worry.

Exercise.

Exercising during menopause may improve your mood. In addition, increasing your activity levels can lead to weight loss, improved menopausal symptoms, and better quality of life.

Avoid being idle.

Staying busy can keep your mind off the menopausal symptoms and stressful circumstances in your life. Try a new activity or learn a new hobby. Take up baking, knitting, writing, or puzzles. Or look for someone to help. Sometimes doing something for someone else can get your mind off your problems and ignite joy within.

Sources

https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2019/05/30/being-outside-has-profound-effects-on-your-health-according-to-science/?sh=116e78e615a1

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31268832/

https://www.verywellhealth.com/perimenopause-anxiety-5218736

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/magazine/happiness-stress-heart-disease/

Thank you for reading Patient Education Essentials, the Write Shift RN blog.

Disclaimer: This article was written as a guest post for Write Shift RN LLC's blog. The information in it may not be wholly fact-checked or edited, allowing the reader to see the writer's work and skills firsthand. This information is not intended as medical advice. It is for informational and educational purposes only. Always talk to your doctor or other qualified healthcare providers about any questions or concerns you may have regarding medical conditions.

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Steroid Injections vs. PRP

By Kristina Van Winkle • October 7, 2024

A Comparative Overview for Pain Management Steroid injections and Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections are two commonly used pain management treatments. While both aim to alleviate pain and promote healing, they have different mechanisms of action and long-term effects . What Are Steroid Injections ? Corticosteroids are potent drugs used extensively across various medical fields to manage a broad spectrum of conditions, making them one of the most widely prescribed drug classes in the world. They can be administered via nearly every route, including direct injection into painful or inflamed joints. "Corticosteroids" typically refers to the class of drugs that produce glucocorticoid effects. Glucocorticoids are stress hormones that regulate numerous physiologic processes within the body. They have vasoconstrictive, immunosuppressive, and anti-inflammatory effects and play a role in metabolism. What do steroid injections treat? Corticosteroids function by suppressing the immune system and reducing inflammation within the body. They inhibit the production of the body's pro-inflammatory chemicals, leading to decreased inflammation and, consequently, pain. They are prescribed for hundreds of medical conditions, including: Allergic and autoimmune disorders Adrenocortical secretion disorders Infections and inflammation Pathologic hypoglycemia Organ and graft rejections Neurological disorders Hypercalcemia Blood disorders Skin disorders Shock What are the side effects of steroid injections? Although steroids are known to some as “wonder drugs,” they impact various bodily systems, including metabolism, water and electrolyte balance, the central nervous system, and blood cells. As a result, they are associated with many adverse side effects, especially when administered in large doses or over extended periods. Adverse effects may occur in up to 90% of individuals who take them for longer than sixty days. These side effects may include: Suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis Gastrointestinal disturbances Osteoporosis and fractures Psychiatric disturbances Carpal tunnel syndrome Cardiovascular disease Immunosuppression Cushingoid features Hyperglycemia Skin disorders Glaucoma Myopathy Cataracts Diabetes The risk of adverse side effects is particularly high when taken systemically. However, side effect occurrences vary when administered as local injections for pain management. Data indicates that steroid injections into joints and the spine can produce systemic effects that can last for weeks. When assessing the risk factors associated with steroid injections, healthcare providers must consider all types and doses of steroids the person is taking, including both oral and injectable forms. Additionally, special caution is advised for certain populations, such as those who may undergo surgery soon, postmenopausal women, and individuals with diabetes. What is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) ? Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections use an individual's own blood to promote cellular regeneration. Through the extraction and reinjection of platelets, growth factors, and other bioactive proteins from the person's blood, PRP therapy offers long-lasting improvements, sustained pain relief, and enhanced tissue function. What do PRP injections treat? PRP injections can stimulate healthy cell growth, reduce inflammation, promote tissue repair, form new blood vessels, rejuvenate the skin and hair, and accelerate recovery after a traumatic injury. It can treat a wide range of conditions, including: Pain resulting from traumatic injury or degenerative conditions such as arthritis and chronic back pain Musculoskeletal conditions Tendinopathies and tears Compressive neuropathy Scars and stretch marks Osteochondral lesions Rheumatoid arthritis Erectile dysfunction Muscular injuries Plantar fasciitis Vaginal atrophy Osteoarthritis Epicondylitis Infertility Psoriasis Wounds Bursitis Vitiligo What are the side effects of PRP? Since PRP is derived from the person's own blood, the risk of allergic reactions or rejection is significantly lower compared to other injectables, such as steroids. PRP typically does not cause major side effects, though you may experience some soreness or bruising at the injection site. In rare cases, potential side effects may include: Tissue damage Nerve injuries Bleeding Infection Comparison of Steroid Injections and PRP Injections A study in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research compared steroid injections with PRP injections in patients with mild to moderate symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA). The findings indicated that both treatments were safe and effective in improving short-term pain and functioning, with no significant differences observed. However, PRP therapy demonstrated superior outcomes in the long term, with benefits extending up to one year. Additionally, a literature review in Cureus Journal of Medical Science analyzed multiple studies comparing steroid injections with PRP in lumbar spondylosis and sacroiliac arthropathy. The review found that PRP was equally as effective, if not superior, to steroid injections in the short term. Neither treatment was associated with major complications, and there were no significant differences in minor complications between the two. The review concluded that both PRP and steroid injections are safe and effective for treating lumbar spondylosis and sacroiliac arthropathy, with some evidence that PRP may offer more benefits in the long term. Research has confirmed that both steroid and PRP therapy are valuable options for pain management and tissue healing. Steroid injections offer potent anti-inflammatory benefits that can provide immediate relief. However, their systemic side effects and limited duration of efficacy should be carefully considered, especially in high-risk populations. While PRP may take longer to show results, its long-term benefits make it an increasingly popular choice for treating various conditions. Ultimately, the choice between these treatments should be based on the specific needs of the individual patient, with careful attention to the patient's medical history. Thank you for reading the Write Shift RN blog. If you need an experienced RN writer for your health or healthcare educational content, contact me !