Menopause is an unavoidable stage in a woman’s life.
Hot flashes, sleep disturbances, sudden mood changes… As you approach fifty, the symptoms appear gradually, and they can quickly become disabling for everyday life, and particularly in the office.
Menopause, this inevitable passage
If the menopause can be difficult to live with for some women, this is because it sets in gradually, generally for 2 to 4 years, before the definitive cessation of the follicular functioning of the ovaries and therefore of menstruation.
For example, it is common to suffer from hot flashes, chronic fatigue, sleep and mood disorders, etc. The symptoms can be physical as well as mental.
They can therefore be difficult to bear and have a lasting impact on your daily life, generally from midlife onwards.
It is therefore important to know how to adapt your lifestyle and work rhythm to manage physical symptoms and preserve your mental health.
3 reasons to adapt your days as you approach menopause
Preserve your mental health
Menopause involves many hormonal changes, which can affect fatigue, mood, and concentration. Women who are approaching menopause are particularly sensitive to stress, anxiety and even depression. These symptoms can be avoided or limited by creating an atmosphere and pace of work that suits you and does not exhaust you.
Staying productive despite physical symptoms
Hot flashes, fatigue or even body pain, particularly in the back, are typical symptoms of premenopause. Many women suffer from them, and they can make labor more difficult. It is therefore important that you are aware of these changes, in order to adapt your schedule to be the most productive when your body and mind allow it.
Avoiding burnout
These psychological and physical symptoms are of course burdensome, and often create additional fatigue to that which you already feel at the end of a working day. To avoid burning out, it is necessary to accept these biological changes to adapt your work routine accordingly, in order to preserve your health, your morale, and your efficiency as much as possible.
9 tips to adapt your days
Understanding your body and accepting changes
First of all, it is essential to understand the causes of your symptoms and to tame them. At what time of day do hot flashes most often occur? At what time do you feel tired? Do you experience energy spikes, and when? Are there contexts that favor your mood changes? Your body is changing: to change your lifestyle with it, it is important to (re)discover it.
Prioritize a healthy diet
Diet and hydration play a key role in managing premenopausal symptoms. Eating a balanced diet and drinking plenty of water can even reduce certain symptoms, such as fatigue and hot flashes in particular.
Coping with hot flashes
This symptom is very common, and many women report suffering from it. If possible, you can ask to have a fan available to maintain a cool environment, and wear light clothing.
Limit stress
As menopause approaches, many women feel more vulnerable to stress. It is therefore important to protect yourself from this. Meditation, breathing exercises, yoga, and regular physical activity can help you, in addition to relieving certain body pains.
Focus on teleworking
Depending on your position and with the agreement of your manager, you may consider working remotely several days a week. You will be able to take advantage of the time you do not spend in transport to rest, and it will also be easier to manage hot flashes if you are at home.
Adapt your schedule
If you suffer from sleep disorders, you can ask your manager for adapted hours. Depending on the organization of the company and the type of position, it may be possible to arrive later in the morning and leave earlier in the evening, or vice versa. But these adjustments can only be made by communicating with your employer about the difficulties you are experiencing.
Talk to your manager
Of course, menopause is not an easy topic to discuss, especially with colleagues. However, it is important to break the taboo and be honest to find suitable solutions. By discussing openly, you may be able to plan adapted hours, additional teleworking days, etc. You can also make an appointment with occupational health first, who can help you contact your superior, and you advise adjustments.
Remember that you are not alone
If you feel comfortable enough, don’t hesitate to interact with other women your age at work. You are not the only one going through these changes, and every woman experiences this period differently. Discussing it with other women can therefore allow us to exchange advice, and to feel understood and supported.
Consult your doctor
Menopause is not an illness, but it may sometimes be necessary to consult a health professional if the symptoms become too severe and too disabling. You will then be able to discuss possible suitable hormonal treatments and take stock of the adjustments to be made at work and in your everyday life.
In summary, menopause is a crucial stage in a woman’s life. The symptoms, which can last for several years, can be difficult to manage, especially in professional life. Fatigue, depression, sleep disorders, hot flashes… To overcome them as best as possible, it is important to understand your body and the changes it is making, in order to adapt your life to experience this period as little as possible and get back to normal. control.
(Photo credit: iStock – JLco – Julia Amaral)