Going through the menopause and getting older (there, I said it! I am 55 after all!) has taught me a great deal about the need to look after myself and make time for self-care.
Of course, getting older is totally different from getting old! I am not admitting to that yet!
Before the menopause, I was always on the go, burning the candle at both ends, late beds, early mornings and to be honest, I didn’t value myself enough to take the time to care for me.
I thought I was invincible!
If I have learned one thing from the years, yes years, that I have struggled being peri-menopausal and going through the menopause, and now being post-menopausal is that this body of mine is the only one I have, the only one I am ever going to have. I love it and I am amazed at what it can deal with, so I need to take the time to look after it and give it a good dose of TLC!
I also learned from my own experience during this time that massage has an amazing number of benefits to offer peri menopausal women and menopausal women, and even those of us who are now post-menopausal.
Here’s why.
Staying Flexible
Is getting out of the chair or out of bed not as easy as it used to be? Do you find yourself having a wee groan as you get to your feet? You might even struggle to stand up straight with the aches and pains that can come with this stage of your life.
Then massage is for you!
Menopause can impact your range of movements, especially if you suffer from aches and pains. Massage stimulates the natural muscle lubricants in your body, especially those between your connective muscles, and helps everything move more smoothly.
By helping our muscles relax and loosen up, massage can help ease the aches and pains, improve our posture and help us walk taller for longer.
Keeping that BP down
Blood pressure can rise in menopausal women. Whether that’s through the change in hormones or because we have a tendency to put weight on during this time, and it is something we need to watch out for – especially if you’re on HRT, because that can also have an impact.
Do you suffer from high blood pressure or even worry about it?
Then massage is for you!
Researchers found that people receiving Swedish massages had lower levels of blood pressure. Swedish massages use long gliding strokes that go in the direction of blood returning to the heart. It’s often called a classic massage.
Keep those stress levels in check
By helping us relax, massage can reduce menopausal stress levels and stop us worrying about the woes of the world. It can also help combat stress fatigue and aid sleep.
If menopause causes you anxiety, irritability, and fatigue ……
Then massage is for you!
One of the greatest benefits of massage is relaxation. It is also an opportunity to get back in touch with your body and cultivate a positive body image if you feel stress about your changing body.
Different types of massage can meet each individuals needs, for example, an aromatherapy massage can use oils to help promote hormone balance and is perfect for those of us needing to unwind a little.
So is massage for you?
In summary, massage has so many benefits that it should, without a doubt, be on a menopausal woman’s self-care list.
So take the plunge and get yourself a massage.
Your mind, body and soul will thank you.
