She shoots….She SCORES menopausal symptom happiness! And the crowd goes wild! (Ahhhhh)

When you say “March Madness” many people will automatically think of the NCAA March Madness college basketball tournaments. However, if you are speaking with a woman in perimenopause or menopause, “March Madness” is not a game she wants to go into overtime with. Menopausal symptoms like mood swings may cause her to be “slam-dunking” one minute, and the next her family is suspending her for “alley-ooping” for the other team. You’ll be thinking your team player has turned into an out of control Dennis Rodman!

And if being moody isn’t enough, according to a six-year study published in Menopause, researchers found that women with the highest levels of stress were more than five times (I repeat, five times!) more likely than normally stressed women to report hot flashes. Mood swings and hot flashes, that combination is enough to make you want to turn in your final four tickets and bench warm it up at the bar!

Before your perimenopause or menopause lady turns into Rodman, read my 4 simple tips to combat those mood swings:

It’s Warm Up Time!

Throw on those sneaks and sweat bands ladies, it’s warm up time! MsFLASH Research Network found working out had a positive effect on depression in both perimenopausal and menopausal women. A study from the University of Jyväskylä in Finland found that high-impact exercise can help postmenopausal women at risk for osteoporosis and osteoarthritis maintain bone health and physical function. According to research published in The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, exercise significantly reduces feelings of confusion, anger, fatigue, tension, and vigor. Are you convinced yet? Get up off that bench! Go out and walk your dog, pop in a work out video, or even put on your favorite beats and boogie around your house! Granny shots? See ya! It’s time to “bring the house down” in your game of life!

Relieve Stress

Those perimenopause or menopause bouncing moods can be alleviated in other ways. For example, take a half-time break out of your busy day for yourself and do something that makes you an “All Star” – get a manicure, soak in a warm bath, or get a relaxing massage. In fact, massage has been found to be helpful in alleviating a number of stress-causing issues like anxiety, insomnia, headaches and other aches and pains. You may also want to try easing stress through meditation.

Consult a Medical “Coach”

Sometimes you may find you need some assistance to help with the ups and downs you’re experiencing during perimenopause or menopause. Be sure that you have a winning coach (menopause gynecologist) to give you a play-by-play guide for your perimenopausal or menopausal journey. If you haven’t found one, check out my Menopause Doctor Directory. Your menopause gynecologist can help evaluate whether your mood swings are linked to menopause or if you are suffering from some other medical issue. The treatments recommended will depend on this evaluation.

Ask for Help.

Get in the zone and back in the game! Share your issues with your “coach” and fellow “team members” so that you “swish” into menopause symptom happiness and don’t go mad this March.

Suffering in silence is OUT! Reaching out is IN!