Menopause@Work Blog

Sharing information & experiences to take the heat out of menopause so today's woman and her workplaces thrive.

My Top Midlife “Wellness” Hack (it’s not what you think)

supplements water wellness Apr 06, 2023

My persistent “not rightness” was written off by 6 traditional doctors. I turned to alternative therapies. I wanted to feel well. I went on a wellness mission. 

As an open minded, achievement-orientated person I was a prime candidate for expensive wellness and “hormone balancing” promises. I tried all sorts of alternate therapists, tests, pills, creams, potions, lotions, drops and radical changes like cutting things out. I was my own experiment. 

I spent a fortune and lost years before taking things into my own hands. Making sequential and sustainable changes over time worked. I regained control physically, emotionally, and mentally.   

Wellness is a growth industry.     

Wellness includes a range of sectors, such as beauty and anti-aging, healthy eating and nutrition, fitness and mind-body, wellness tourism, and spa industries.  According to the Global Wellness Institute's (GWI) latest research, the global wellness industry was worth $4.5 trillion in 2018. The GWI also projects that the industry will continue to grow in the coming years, reaching a value of $6.4 trillion by 2022. 

Wellness watchouts   

I encountered 3 main issues in my pursuit of “wellness”. 

  1. Lack of regulation: I tried many products promising to “balance hormones” and they were rubbish because the wellness industry is largely unregulated. Hello dubious claims promising calm, sleep and libido. Unproven supplements, alternative therapies, and pseudoscientific health advice is everywhere.  
  2. Body shaming: Midlife and menopausal weight gain and body changes make women susceptible to wellness practices and products that promote a narrow (literally) ideal of beauty and health that can be harmful to people's self-esteem and body image. Products, diets and fitness programs targeting “belly fat loss” and weight loss can lead to body shaming and disordered eating. 
  3. Overemphasis on individual responsibility: When traditional western medicine let me down I over indexed on the idea that I was solely responsible for my own health. This leads to blind spots. For example, the minimisation of women’s menstrual pain seen as ‘natural’ and to be tolerated. Or the environmental factors such as financial strain, racism or workplace stress that contribute to poor health outcomes. This can lead to a blame-the-victim mentality that ignores social determinants of health. 

If it seems too good to be true, it is.   

Not all wellness practices and products are problematic. For example, acupuncture really helped me. It's important to approach the wellness industry with a critical eye and to be wary of claims that seem too good to be true.   

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Misunderstanding and menopause go hand in hand.  

Karen (45) was anxious and had a foggy brain. It hung around during her workdays. She felt terrible. She turned to her girlfriends first then a naturopath. The first step was ‘hormone testing’ to determine if she was in perimenopause.  

Karen was told “everything is fine”. She felt anything but fine. Herbal medicines were given. They didn’t help and the next step was a overwhelming, expensive supplement regime combined with radical dietary changes.  

With her energy in the floor and supplements raining down on her, she struggled to cut things out of her diet as advised. These changes were out of reach and made her feel like a failure. She was struggling to get through the day let alone cook all her meals. It added to her stress.  

She decided the naturopath advice was too general. She didn’t feel understood. She sought specialised support and things shifted slowly in the right direction.

Menopause isn’t an illness.  

Midlife women deserve to feel well after all those years focusing on everyone else. Menopause is nature transitioning women to the next stage of life. Support options have included fresh air to a psych ward and a range of pills in between. Treatment options have been inadequate making women suffering with symptoms vulnerable to the wellness industry.   

There are many wellness treatments that have not been scientifically proven to be effective yet propose to alleviate the symptoms of menopause.  

The global menopause supplements market was valued at $1.3 billion in 2020 and is growing rapidly according to a report by Polaris Market Research. 

Wellness starts with drinking more water. 

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How much water do you drink each day? 

The Institute of Medicine suggests women should aim to drink about 2.7 litres (91 ounces) of water per day. 

Drinking more water has benefits for overall health & reduces brain fog: 

  1. Hydration: Water is essential for the body and brain to function properly. Dehydration contributes to symptoms of brain fog such as difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and mental fatigue. Drinking water helps increase blood flow to the brain improving mental clarity and reducing brain fog.  
  2. Boosts Energy: Dehydration makes you feel tired. Drinking water  helps you stay alert and energised. 
  3. Improves Digestion: Water helps break down food, absorb nutrients and prevent constipation. 
  4. Promotes Healthy Skin: Dehydration causes dry and dull skin. Water keeps skin hydrated. 
  5. Helps with Weight Management: Drinking water promotes fullness and can reduce hunger. 

Drinking more water is a simple and powerful way to promote well-being. 

Dehydration can be a cause of brain fog and it's not the only factor. Other possible causes of brain fog include stress, lack of sleep, poor nutrition, and certain medical conditions.   

"Environment is the invisible hand that shapes human behaviour." (James Clear)  

Drinking enough water is challenging so consider how you can set your environment up for maximum hydration.  

Drink more water:

  • Carry a water bottle you love.  
  • Ensure easy access to water at work.  
  • Set reminders on your phone.  
  • Add flavour like slices of fruit if plain water isn't appealing to you. 
  • Eat water-rich foods like watermelon, cucumbers, and tomatoes. 
  • Replace sugary drinks- with water or sparkling water.  

The pursuit of wellness and experiencing menopause can be overwhelming and confusing.  

Reduce your chances of getting ripped off: 

  • Research the company or product 
  • Be skeptical of exaggerated claims – there is no meno miracle cure.  
  • Consult a healthcare professional.  
  • Look for evidence-based practices. 
  • Avoid products with hidden or undisclosed ingredients (I feel for this one!).   
  • Don't be swayed by celebrity endorsements (including Doctors)  

Improve your chances of surviving and thriving through your menopause transition by drinking more water and making informed decisions. Go well lady.  

As with any information created for or by Meno Collective & Menopause Experts Group, the information in this post is accurate at the time of posting and is for information purposes only. Information is not intended to replace or substitute the judgment of any medical professional. You should always seek advice from your health care professional regarding a medical condition.

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