Natural Remedies to Ease Menopausal Stress

By Ellen Dolgen

Chronic stress can be quite debilitating.  If you are perimenopausal or postmenopausal it can become even trickier to deal with.

According to Dr. Caroline Apovian, Director of the Nutrition and Weight Management Center, Boston Medical Center, Professor of Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine, and Vice President of The Obesity Society stress is not only uncomfortable, it also inhibits weight loss, interferes with focus, causes memory problems, and can lead to poor judgment and anxiety.

I don’t know about you, but sometimes my go-to stress reliever is food.  I am not talking about the green leafy kind!

What if you could help that stress by reaching for a tension-taming choice instead of that comfort food. Would you try it?

Here are Dr. Apovian’s natural remedies for treating anxiety:

Chamomile Tea – That soothing effect isn’t just in your mind. Chamomile has demonstrated anti-anxiety and anti-depressive effects in clinical studies. In addition, it is a calorie-free drink and counts toward meeting your optimal daily water intake. Enjoy a couple of unsweetened cups each day

Bananas – America’s favorite fruit contains tryptophan, which the body converts into serotonin. Serotonin is one of the primary neurotransmitters responsible for mood balance, a sense of wellbeing, and happiness.  Bananas also contain high amounts of B vitamins, which soothe anxiety. Natural sugars add a bonus energy boost.

Turkey – I always recommend fat-free or lean ground turkey to my patients for weight loss. You receive a stunning amount of protein for relatively few calories. It is delicious and comes together quickly in a range of diverse recipes. Turkey, as you probably know, is also high in tryptophan, which translates into higher serotonin. You know that calm, happy feeling you get after Thanksgiving dinner? Attribute it to turkey.

Oatmeal – Start your day off with a bowl of oatmeal. The less processed, the better, and refrain from the sweetened varieties. Add some fruit if you need a sweetener. This complex carb triggers the production of serotonin and keeps you feeling full and satisfied throughout the morning due to its high fiber content

Oranges – A high level of vitamin C in the body slows down cortisol production, one of our primarily stress hormones.  It also helps us to recuperate more quickly after experiencing stress. Oranges, grapefruit, peppers and many other foods contain high amounts and act as a low calorie, calming snack. Stash some in your desk at the office and feel calmer all day.

Dark Chocolate – In a study coming from the Centre for Human Psychopharmacology in Melbourne Australia, participants who consumed dark chocolate for 30 days reported significant improvements in calmness and contentedness, compared to those who did not. For all my dieters out there, choose a variety that is high in dark chocolate content, contains little to no sugar, and be conscious of portion size. Chocolate is a calorie-dense food.

Spinach – Packed with nutrients, spinach is known and loved as one of the world’s healthiest foods. It is rich in folate, a B-vitamin that is partially responsible for the production of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, three essential neurotransmitters for mood balance. Insufficient amounts of folate in the diet is linked with anxiety and depression. 

Remember:  Suffering in silence is OUT!  Reaching out is IN.

For more great tips on how to find a menopause specialist and deal with menopause download my free ebook: MENOPAUSE MONDAYS  the Girlfriend’s Guide to Surviving and Thriving During Perimenopause and Menopause.    

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Ellen Dolgen, spurred by her own experience struggling with the symptoms of menopause, is devoted to helping women everywhere. Through EllenDolgen.com and her FREE eBook, MENOPAUSE MONDAYS The Girlfriend’s Guide to Surviving and Thriving During Perimenopause and Menopause, she shares the expertise of numerous specialists to replace confusion and embarrassment with medically sound solutions, presented in an entertaining and informative way. From hot flashes, insomnia, mood swings, mental fogginess, loss of libido, heart health, and lots more in between, EllenDolgen.com provides empowerment for women to become their own best health advocates. Her motto is: Suffering in silence is OUT! Reaching out is IN!