| Menopause depression. You've heard of it, but you're | | | | that does not get much sun (I feel your pain -- I live in |
| wondering how common it is. | | | | Minnesota!), you might consider buying a light box, |
| Then, as you go from normal human being to raging | | | | which can help you to avoid seasonal affective |
| maniac in 2 seconds flat, you wonder if you're | | | | disorder. |
| experiencing mood shifts because of menopause. | | | | People, Please |
| Depressed? | | | | Although it sounds mighty tempting sometimes, don't |
| The good news is that menopause depression only | | | | curl up into a ball. If you can't resist, don't allow yourself |
| affects 10% of women in menopause. These women | | | | to remain there for longer than a day or so! |
| may be particularly sensitive to their shifting hormones, | | | | Go out for coffee with a friend, do some window |
| and may feel the blues or more serious mood issues | | | | shopping with your sister, or go to a movie with your |
| as their hormone levels drop. | | | | mom (I'm assuming that won't cause you more stress!). |
| Are you one of these women? If you have been | | | | Feeling connected to people is so important. We all |
| experiencing sadness for over two weeks, or you feel | | | | need a support system, so use yours! By the way, the |
| that your mood is greatly affecting your relationships | | | | people in your support system need you as well, so |
| and your ability to function, then you should pick up the | | | | you can cheer each other up! |
| phone and call your doctor. | | | | Move |
| Irritable? | | | | As in, move your body. Exercising gives our body |
| Here is something funny. Most women say that middle | | | | happy chemicals, helps our self-esteem, reenergizes |
| age is the best time of their lives, but they are also | | | | us, and helps us avoid menopause depression. |
| much more irritable than they were before middle age. | | | | Supplement Help |
| So, what gives? | | | | If you're interested in taking supplements to encourage |
| Middle age women, while experiencing the liberating | | | | your happy side, choose natural supplements. |
| effects of maturity, knowledge of self, and shifting out | | | | Omega-3s |
| of the mommy mode, have many other new | | | | We hear about these quit a lot lately. |
| responsibilities that could be causing grumpiness. | | | | They will help you to fight depression, reduce your risk |
| Raising teenagers, supporting children through college, | | | | of heart disease, and help prevent osteoporosis. |
| being the main care taker for your parents, and trying | | | | You can take this as a supplement or get them by |
| to save enough money to retire in the near future are | | | | eating ground flax seeds, walnuts, salmon, and |
| all factors that could make anyone irritable. | | | | soybeans. |
| Lifestyle Help | | | | Take 1,000-2,000 mg per day. |
| Whether you are feeling menopause depression or | | | | Magnesium |
| you are just plain irritable, changing some of your | | | | It helps you stay happy and keep your bones healthy. |
| negative patterns and adding some good patterns into | | | | Take 400-1,000 mg a day. |
| the mix can help you feel better. | | | | Saint John's Wort |
| Find Your Joy: Meditating is a great way to center | | | | This is a popular herbal supplement that was shown in |
| yourself and start (or end) your day. Reacquainting | | | | one study to be as effective as Prozac in treating mild |
| yourself with your joy and passion in life will help you | | | | depression. |
| to see the big picture and not get bogged down in all | | | | Take 300 mg three times a day. |
| of those details that can drive us crazy. | | | | Valerian |
| Sun Time: Getting your body into the sunlight for about | | | | This is another herb, and it's a good choice if you |
| 15 minutes a day is great for many reasons. | | | | experience anxiety along with mild depression. You |
| First, it increases your serotonin level, which will help | | | | can take this with Saint John's Wort. |
| make you feel good. | | | | Take 100-300 mg a day. |
| Second, sunlight triggers our bodies into making vitamin | | | | Ginkgo |
| D, a vitamin that helps our bones absorb calcium. | | | | This herb will improve your memory and help your |
| And third, if you're outside, you're usually doing | | | | menopause depression. |
| something active. | | | | Take 40-80 mg a day. |
| If you are one of the poor souls who lives in a climate | | | | |