Did you know that October is “World Menopause Month?”

Humans, gorillas, and whales are the only animals who experience menopause.*

But this article is about humans!

Every woman’s hormones and how they manage menopause are affected by their genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors.

Menopause is defined medically as the point in a woman’s life when she’s stopped menstruating for a year. It’s a normal part of ageing.

That actual point in life is different for everyone (usually between 40-60 years old).

If that wasn’t interesting enough, here’s a shocker!

Globally, every woman experiences menopause but what’s worse is they DON’T feel they have anyone to talk to about it.

That is stressful, but probably not the only stress you’ll experience as you get older.

In fact, stress plays a big part in the health of your body and the Menopause equation.

Women manage a broad spectrum of stress levels with this mid-life point.

There are multiple demands like ageing parents, changing careers, empty nest, growing children, retirement, insomnia – the list could truly go on forever.

With estrogen levels decreasing from menopause and stress increasing from all of these life demands, it creates a perfect environment for our not-so-very-good-friend:

Heart disease.

As estrogen diminishes over time, this protective benefit is lost, and an increase in blood pressure can thicken artery walls in the heart and affect both good (HDL) and not so good (LDL) cholesterol levels.  

Women’s hearts become vulnerable (as if we didn’t already have enough heartache to deal with in life).

A woman who once had low blood pressure (because of all those protective effects estrogen once had on your heart) can now have high blood pressure.

It happened to my mother.

High blood pressure is often silent and symptomless. It can damage our blood vessels and overwork our hearts, leaving us prey to heart disease, stroke, and premature death.

The fact is that 1 in 3 women die from heart disease.**

So many women don’t realize the vital link between menopause, blood pressure and heart disease.

Regular checkups with a doctor and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is critical.

ANY doctor will tell you the best ways to manage menopause start with three straightforward steps: Play (exercise), optimal nutrition and managing stress.

Fortunately, high blood pressure is easy to detect — and there are ways to bring it under control.

One of the best practices is through play!

I believe in the power of play as the catalyst to feel good and live better so fundamentally that I wrote a book about it – The Play Book: How To Get In The Habit Of Good Health– and a breakthrough coaching program called The Play for Life System.

Play releases the happy “feel-good” hormones in the body, including oxytocin, serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins, which support the brain by improving mood, libido, and heart strength and blood pressure.

What’s the best kind of play?

Pick the type you like including some heart-pumping, muscle activating activity like walking, dancing, cycling, or even playing with your dog (at the right intensity for you).  

These are all excellent places to start, and you DON’T have to go to a gym! All movement matters and approximately 20 minutes a day is what is required to keep that heart healthy.

So, while you might feel like your body is all over the place as you progress through mid-life and especially menopause, you do have control over your mindset and lifestyle.

I’m here to help women permanently break the negativity of ageing (hello play!), and help them manage their most significant lifestyle-related challenges, including menopause.

Play on!

Coach Jan xo

P.S. Whenever you’re ready to make a lasting change to your health join The Play for Life System Coaching Program HERE.  This 12-week premium habit-based coaching program is for women who want to control their health without diets, medications, or going to the gym.

*https://nationaltoday.com/world-menopause-month

**https://www.world-heart-federation.org/resources/women-cvd-facts-tips