Last updated October 22, 2023
Mental and Emotional Health For Women In Midlife
When women reach our 40s and 50s, we may experience new physical and emotional changes which can play a crucial role affecting our mental and emotional health in daily life. Mood swings, which are frequently associated with hormonal changes, can be an especially difficult part of this midlife transition. This blog post will explore all-natural strategies for maintaining emotional and mental health for women in midlife.
What Do Midlife Mood Swings Feel Like?
If you are a woman in midlife who may be suffering from mood swings, know you’re not alone. One minute you may feel up and the next down. Here are recent examples as a mother of five going through my own midlife emotional and bodily changes. I recently caught sight of a young mom shopping for clothes with her three small children as I passed by Target’s retail isles. I had an immediate flashback to the times I used to take my now-adult children shopping at Target when they were younger. As I looked through the isles of adorable young girls sundresses, tears started to fall down my cheek. I will often find myself experiencing sadness and crying for what appears to be no apparent reason or feeling irritability over little things.
When To Seek Help From A Health Professional
According to health care professionals, “Even if you have never suffered from mental health issues, all the bodily changes that occur during midlife can result in emotional highs and lows.” https://www.sanfordhealth.org/medicalservices/womens/midlife/depression-and-mood-swings
Midlife can be a tough time for mental health, with mood swings being a common occurrence. It’s important to seek help if you’re struggling, as there are many effective treatments available. Seeking therapy or counseling with a mental health professional can be helpful in managing symptoms and improving overall wellbeing. Additionally, there are natural remedies such as regular exercise and a healthy diet that can also contribute positively to mental health during midlife and beyond. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you need it.
Natural Ways To Support Your Emotions For Women In Midlife
As women enter midlife, mood swings can become more frequent and intense. We will discuss natural ways to support your emotions during this time! First and foremost, it’s important to prioritize self-care. This means getting enough sleep, balancing nutrition by eating a healthy diet, and engaging in regular exercise or physical activity. Additionally, practices like meditation, mindfulness, yoga, or deep breathing exercises can help reduce cortisol, lower stress levels and promote relaxation. Some women also find relief through herbal supplements and essential oils. Finally, don’t underestimate the power of social support – spending time with loved ones or joining a support group can provide a sense of community and uplift your mood during this transitional period. Remember, you’re not alone in this!
7 Strategies To Support Midlife Mood Swings
1. Practice Gentleness
Practice self-compassion and honor your emotional state. Midlife is a time of transitions and often big life changes. You may be transitioning to an empty nest, new job, new relationship, or questioning your life direction. Allow yourself time to experience your feelings, rather than pushing them aside or reprimanding yourself. Our emotions can act as messengers and can be a signal that you are ready for change. One way to get in touch with your emotions is through Journaling. Give yourself permission to self-reflect and write your emotional experiences down. This practice allows you to connect to the gentle whispers of your heart.
Click here to download my Free self-reflection journal pages
2. Prioritize Self-Care
The term self-care has become cliche, but self-care is more than just pampering yourself with a spa day. Self-care is about prioritizing your own mental health, physical health and emotional wellness. As women in midlife we are the caregiver and have put the needs of others before our own for so long. The practice of self-care literally means to care for oneself. Ask yourself, “what do I need in order to support my everyday health and wellbeing?” It may be helpful to identify your current self-care practices under the categories of Mind, Emotions, Body, Spirit. Be honest with yourself as you write down what would help support you in each of the four areas. Once you are clear on your needs, then you are ready to take actionable steps to prioritize your self-care.
Click here to download my Free self-care journaling pages
3. Exercise and Yoga
Practicing regular exercise has many benefits for naturally uplifting your mood and helping to balance hormones for midlife women. Hormonal imbalance due to perimenopause and menopause symptoms during midlife are believed to play an important role in women’s mood fluctuations. Exercise releases endorphins, known as feel-good chemicals that have a positive affect on your brain and your body. One form of exercise that can ease your emotions as well as your bodily aches and pains is Yoga. The practice of Yoga helps promote a state of calmness and well being. You can begin a Yoga practice at any age and stage of life.
Click here for Yoga poses to help balance hormones
4. Mindfulness and Breathwork
You can let go and experience wellness naturally through simple mindful breathing practices. When emotions are unresolved they become tension hidden in our body, which if left unresolved will eventually manifest as pain, discomfort, dis-ease or even illness. Learning to breathe deeply and mindfully promotes a state of calmness, by oxygenating our brain and stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system. Through simple mindful breathing practices you can begin to peel back the layers of unresolved emotions and find clarity.
Click here for a Free guided meditation and breathwork to Cultivate Calmness
5. Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a simple method to support your emotions. Aromatherapy includes the use of pure plant based essential oils that can penetrate cell membranes and cross the brain-blood barrier within seconds. This allows them to reach the emotional center of our brain where all of our emotions are stored. Essential oils assist in bringing our emotions back into balance simply by smelling their scents or essences. What we smell affects our mood. Our sense of smell is connected to the limbic system, the emotional seat of our brain. When we breathe in essential oils we have the ability to release and change our mood.
Click here to shop handcrafted essential oil blends to uplift your mood
6. Practice Gratitude
Learn to count your blessings and bring more joy and peace into your life. The practice of gratitude helps you let go of negative feelings that may be stuck in your mental, physical and emotional body. Gratitude brings you to the present moment and allows you to practice acceptance and thankfulness. Just as we exercise and train our body, we can train our mind. Our mind is wired to protect us and keep us safe. The present moment provides us the opportunity to accept the here-and-now. In the present moment we can overcome fear, self-doubt and uncertainty. Peace and joy live in the present moment.
Click here to download a my Free Gratitude Affirmation guide
7. Midlife Manifestion
The term midlife is usually followed by the term crisis. But, midlife doesn’t have to be a crisis. It can be an opportunity to reinvent yourself and make positive changes in your life. It can be a time to gain clarity and move in the direction of your dreams. Allow yourself the opportunity to visualize the life you want. Do you want to become happier, healthier or wealthier? Give yourself permission to dream, just like when you were a child. Rewrite the next chapter of your life! You are worth it!
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Supplements and Essential Oils
You have the power to influence your mood and enhance your well-being by integrating natural remedies into your daily life. Remind yourself that midlife is a time of transition, and embracing holistic approaches can assist you in feeling good during this phase of your life. Adding supplements and essential oils into your routine may be beneficial to help ease symptoms of midlife mood swings. Research suggests that specific supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B complex, and magnesium, have the potential to regulate mood and reduce stress. And let’s not forget about the amazing benefits of essential oils! Essential oils like chamomile, lavender, and bergamot possess calming properties that can aid in relaxation and anxiety reduce stress. It’s important to choose pure essential oils and high-quality dietary supplements, that can help maximize the potential benefits of these natural remedies.
Find Balance: Schedule Your Free Midlife Wellness Session Today
As women in midlife, we often experience mood swings that can impact our daily lives. However, with the right holistic approach, we can manage these mood swings and improve our overall well-being. Incorporating practices such as essential oils, yoga, and self-care can make a significant difference in how we feel and function. If you’re interested in taking control of your mood swings and improving your overall health and wellness, consider booking a free wellness strategy session to learn more about how to incorporate these practices into your daily routine. During the session, I will work with you to identify your specific needs and develop a personalized plan that fits your lifestyle and goals. I understand that every woman’s journey through midlife is unique, which is why my approach is tailored specifically to you.
With the right tools and support, you can thrive during midlife and beyond!
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