Loving Yourself in Menopause
Women in menopause spend a lot of energy trying to preserve themselves, whether it be their body, mind, or sanity. Did you know self-love is necessary for self-preservation?
Self-love is a powerful psychological tool for improving overall life satisfaction. It helps lessen challenging symptoms of mental health like depression, anxiety, and stress in addition to benefitting physical health. Practicing self-love puts you in a state of mind that naturally encourages healthy behaviors like eating right, exercising, and balancing life’s stressors. As you become better at loving yourself, your views and how you interact with the world changes. Being kind, forgiving, and compassionate to yourself translates into your relationships and how you engage with society.
It involves choosing to support your needs and wants while honoring your limitations. When you are struggling or things aren’t going your way, treat yourself as your own best friend. It doesn’t include arrogance or self-centeredness but is a commitment to prioritize your happiness and well-being through acceptance and kindness.
Low self-esteem or feeling too busy to love yourself may cause you to think that self-love is a luxury. However, showing up for yourself allows you to be able to show up for the people you love. Self-compassion has a direct effect on your overall mental and physical health. A 2023 study showed it reduces stress hormones and risk for depression, cancer, and heart disease.
Practice self-love whether things are going well for you or not. Be mindful and nurture thoughts of forgiving yourself, empathy, and acceptance. Value yourself enough to learn new skills or pursue new goals that can bring more joy into your life. Find a balance whereby you don’t always have to put yourself first but consider your mental and physical well-being when making decisions. It’s ok to set boundaries and say “no”. Be proud of yourself, and celebrate and acknowledge your accomplishments even if privately to yourself. Surround yourself with supportive people who also practice self-love and inspire you to do the same. Practicing self-love is a way to preserve your mental and physical health before and after menopause, and you are worth it!
