Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the typical menopausal symptoms. Its often associated with feelings of intense fear that something bad is about to happen, feeling as if youre losing self-control or even your sanity.

Anxiety typically manifests itself in the form of panic attacks, unnatural fears, nervousness, twitchiness and in severe cases depression can accompany anxiety, and increase other menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and fatigue. Anxiety is not only caused by hormonal changes going on within a menopausal womans body;employment stress, growing family stress from your children, personal relationships and elderly parents can also cause anxiety to worsen.

To reduce the uneasiness, apprehension and stress brought on by anxiety, try practicing the following helpful and natural techniques:

• Diminish work stress by finding a good balance between your job and personal life. Dont push yourself too hard by working too much and ignoring your family and friends.
• Get active by performing some form of exercise such as walking, swimming and yoga to relax your nerves. When you feel anxious, take slow, deep breaths from your belly for a few minutes. Relaxing CDs are ideal to listen to while performing a stress-reducing exercise like yoga or Pilates.
• Eat a healthy diet. Avoid alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, antidepressants or other drugs that lead to dependence. Keep your blood sugar level and under control by cutting down on sweets and fatty foods. If you dont already take a multi vitamin or dietary supplement ask your doctor to recommend one. For example, the dietary supplement inositol has proven to be effective in lessening anxiety and depression in menopausal women. Inositol can be found naturally in oranges, grapefruit, cantaloupes, watermelon, peaches, wheat germ, whole grain breads, cereals, nuts, peas, lettuce, molasses, lima beans, oysters and brown rice.
• Go herbal, with chamomile, ginseng, green tea, valerian and skullcap. These can be made into teas and used to effectively soothe and relax you.
• Find social support and talk about your problems with your family and friends openly, in order to build a firm support system.
• Seek medical treatment if you feel its necessary. Dont let anxiety and depression take over your life. Seek the help of your doctor if you feel youre losing control.