You Really Can Control Your Midlife Health

I recently saw an instagram post from a physican I follow that read: The heart attack at 50 began at 20. The Alzheimer’s at 70started at 40. The loss of indpendence at 80 began at 30. The aging you want tomorrow begins with the choices you make today.

I’m a big believer in aging with intention. And also, eating with intention, moving with intention, destressing with intention and all around living with intention.

As women enter perimenopause and menopause, we are often blasted with symptoms that take us by surprise. Just this morning, I woke up with vertigo. Sigh. Menopause? Probably.

But the good news is that so many of these symptoms can be managed with diet and lifestyle and hormone therapy for those who are a fit.

Often, diseases take years to come to fruition. This is great! Wait…what? YES! Because it gives us agency on how we want to course correct.

Instead of scrambling once we get the diagnosis or are faced with symptoms that derail us, let’s start thinking about the way we eat, move, stress, sleep and connect years before it’s too late.

We can control our health. And this is true when it comes to perimenopause and menopause. Little tweaks to your daily routines can make a big difference.

Some of my favorites:

• Nutrition. Now is a good time to up your game.

  • Increase leafy greens, veggies and fruits

  • Increase protein and fiber

  • Cut back on alcohol

  • Ditch the overly processed foods

  • Try to eat the rainbow every day

• Exercise. Are you getting the most out of your workouts?

  • Incorporate strength training

  • Cardio is still important-walking, running, swimming

  • Balance movement like yoga

• Stress. Chill out. Seriously, it’s good for you.

  • Get out in nature

  • Yoga

  • Meditation

  • Gather with friends

  • Take a break from the news or social media

• Sleep. It’s the best gift you can give yourself.

  • Ditch the screens before bed

  • Opt for a book instead

  • Create a bedtime routine and stick to it

  • Cut back on alcohol…recurring theme here…hint hint

  • Magnesium supplements offer additional benefits like helping with sleep if taken at night. 

During perimenopause and menopause it’s very normal to feel like your body is spinning out of control.

Try to incorporate some of these suggestions into your daily routines and see what happens.

You have more control over this phase of life than you know.