Mood swings are one of the most common symptoms of menopause.
creating a rollercoaster of emotions for the women who suffer from them, if you are one of these people, there are some simple changes that you can make to ease the emotional teeter-totter caused by fluctuating hormones.
Plus, these improvements will make you a healthier person in general, improving the overall quality of your life.
It is certainly true that it takes self-discipline to alter behaviors and habits. Get pumped up mentally as you challenge yourself to try a few healthy lifestyle changes to improve your mood. It’s best to start with natural ways of balancing mood swings, and then progress toward alternative medicine, prescription drugs, or surgery if necessary.
Elizabeth Somer, R.D., and author of Food and Mood and Nutrition for Women states that “certain foods or food combinations set off a series of chemical reactions in your brain that help determine whether you feel content, on one hand, or anxious or depressed on the other.”
- Eat foods known to boost serotonin levels – like wheat, bran, peas, beans, and other complex carbohydrates.
- Eat foods high in protein and amino acids – like fish, lean meat, and dairy products.
- Drink at least 8 glasses of water each day – this is especially helpful for treating hot flashes
- Avoid sugary foods – they can cause your mood to plummet.
- Limit caffeine intake – it a stimulant that increases mood instability.
- Cut out sodium – for a healthier heart, reduce sodium intake.
- Increase calcium intake – to keep bones healthy and strong and prevent osteoporosis.
- Practice controlled breathing and relaxation techniques – to distract yourself from a mood swing.
- Exercise regularly – to improve self-image and reduce stress.
- Stretch or do yoga – to promote mind/body balance.
- Spend time with family and friends – to release healthy hormones that counteract mood imbalance.
If healthy lifestyle changes are not properly balancing your mood, it may be necessary to seek further treatment. Talk to your healthcare practitioner about safely treating mood swings with alternative medicines and therapies.
Test your hormone levels
Jennifer Cebulak
Research Editor
