Paused - Karen Lockyer Make Up Artist

Menopause is a natural stage in a womens life and lets face it, it is coming whether we like it or not. At least it is beginning to be acknowledeged within the UK workforce and seemingly taken more seriously medically – depending where you live of course. I am no expert other than being an ageing women myself, working with and chatting to many women over 45. Things are definitely improving, but still along way to go.

To be honest I knew nothing about Peri menopause and although I guess signs were there I paid little attention until my menopause hit at 51. I think I have been reasonably lucky, I have been suffering a lot of the milder symptoms, but choosing the natural route, eating a healthy (ish ) diet and keeping( fairly) active with regular exercise. The worst thing for me is that it never seems to go away- Those hot flushes still raging 10 years on and the constant need to run and pee, not to mention the extra work put in to keep those extra pounds creeping on (my choice entirely) Have I paused – not really, but surely if there is any time in your life to take a breath then this is it.

Paused. Take a moment to enter this new stage of life. Be it, the time to prepare mentally, finding the right path for you or physically taking time out.

When you feel like screaming- There is help out there someone to chat things over can really help your mental health, be that, your local (probably female) GP and or a menopause coach. I was so lucky to be introduced to the beautiful Simmone a little younger than my over 50 women, but as a Peri and Post Menopause coach She is the perfect collab for my Paused blog post.

Chat with Simmone

Hi, I’m a Holistic Peri to Post Menopause Coach and I take great joy in coaching women with a global approach to the menopausal years coming along side them to navigate THEIR journey.

I work one to one with my clients, but I’m planning to offer some group courses online in the near future.

Menopause is a rite of passage that if we can plan ahead and be prepared, it really can be a self empowering life phase full of JOY and HOPE, although the narrative may tell us otherwise.

We can do alot to support ourselves on our journey by controlling our controllables, even when we feel broken. You are not broken! Menopause is meant to happen, it is natural decline in reproductive hormones, but support and guidance can help you get the you back.

Don’t know where to start? That’s where I come in!

There are many Radical Soul-utions to help you rewild your third age. It’s up to us to take back our power curate this stage of life. 🌹

Me– So no need to struggle on your own- go have a chat with Simmone, her natural approach may be just what you need in your life especially if you can’t or don’t wish to go down the HRT route. Lets Re-Wild our third age.

To contact Simmone:

https://www.instagram.com/simojo_/

https://linktr.ee/simojo

https://www.facebook.com/3rdAgeRewilding/

Email: simmone@simojo.life

Menopause at work

It has always been in the past a grin and bear it scenario or if you are too hot get out of the kitchen. Meaning many women leave the workforce through complete lack of understanding of this completely normal, but complicated life change. You don’t get kicked out of school for going through pubity or though back in my day it was silently endured.

NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard released the first national guidance on menopause and called on other employers to “break the stigma” and follow in its footsteps.

The guidance encourages line managers and employees to adopt practices such as “normalising asking for help”. It also aims to introduce practical measures such as flexible working, lighter duties, fans to reduce temperatures, cooler uniforms and staff training.

Amanda said women with menopausal symptoms should not have to “turn their back on their career” and that leaders had a responsibility to “ensure this doesn’t happen any longer”.

The guidance- NHS England » Supporting our NHS people through menopause: guidance for line managers and colleagues

Menopause and skin

The main problems with our skin is the depletion of hormones, which regulate so many things in the body and can cause skin to become dry and dehydrated and this can also cause itchyness. HRT can help to rectify this, but the same age old advice of eating a healthy well balanced diet and hydrating well. As well as using moisturisers to keep the skin soft and suble. We lose Collagen and Elastin in our skin too, which is what keeps our skin firm and wrinkle free in our youth. Sadly, although many people swear by taking Collagen suppliments, Collagen molecules are actually too large to be absorbed back into the skin in enough quantity to make a significant difference, but hey ho every little helps as they say. Experiencing hot flushes can make your skin flush too, which if like me is a new and unwanted experience, I find a hairdryer on cold can work wonders after a bath or shower. A quick visit to the rest room to run your wrists under cold water can help when you are out. A green colour corrector under your foundation will combat red, but for me when that internal heater goes on the only way is to turn up that fan to full speed.