Up all night? Maybe it’s Menopause.
The “Change of Life Thing” that you heard about as a young woman is actually a normal process of life, yet some of the symptoms such as insomnia are less noticed and recognized. One of the symptoms of menopause is the inability to sleep at night. During a woman’s natural reproductive cycle she produces a certain amount of eggs. When menopause is near, the sleep hormones estrogen and progesterone are reduced. The absence of these hormones can wake you in the night.
Maybe this is the perfect time to finish a writing project or do some meditation. If you are up all night with menopause symptoms don’t worry, and be very gentle to yourself. Remember that this is a natural process and you can make it through. Here are a few suggestions for resting better when you are going through the change of life.
1. Have some nice chamomile tea at bedtime to relax your body. This is a great way to just unwind. Tea is very powerful in creating a sense of rest. Chamomile is an herb that comes from a flowering plant from the daisy family. Both the fresh and dried flowers of chamomile have been used to create teas for centuries to cure a number of health problems. The active ingredient in chamomile essential oil is known as bisabolol, which has a number of anti-irritant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties.
2. Face the change and meditate on feeling better. Menopause varies from 1 to 10 years so be assured that this is a temporary adjustment your body is making to end your reproduction cycle. Meditation is the process of focusing on your breath, being very still and allowing your body to “just be”. There are many meditations online for you to try and some are only 5 minutes long.
3. Join a support group on the internet and find some friends who are also going through what you are at the time. Menopause is something that millions of women experience and they are on social media waiting to meet you. A support group lets you talk to others and some of them will be up in the middle of the night just like you. Tell them about your symptoms because there is a healing power in having others support you.
4. Enlist your spouse or significant other in being your personal touch therapist and have them apply a nice oil to your body for assistance in relaxation. Lavender scents are always good for that relaxed feeling. Lavender has been used for centuries in the promotion of relaxation in both adults and in infants. It is an essential oil that also has anti-inflammatory benefits in addition to its ability to make you feel wonderful and rested.
Just remember that your body is perfectly equipped for this change. Insomnia and a racing heart go hand in hand so be careful to monitor your heart rate and if feel uncomfortable seek medical attention. You don’t have to go through this alone. You are supported.
