Fortifying Your Future After 40

First, it's teen angst and puberty. Then, it's 25+ years of monthly menstrual cycles amidst the possibility of pregnancy and one or more childbirths. Finally, there's perimenopause and menopause. These are typical phases of a woman's life, all of which prove how resilient the female body and mind are.

However, each of these life stages can cause significant shifts to a woman's hormone levels, and it's up to us to navigate each of their manifestations.

Perimenopause and menopause love to take our mental and physical well-being on a tumultuous joy ride. Age is certainly just a number, but as we approach our forties, we must prioritise our health.

Hot flashes, brain fog, anxiety, mood swings, and insomnia are all standard components of the perimenopause and menopause package. These symptoms suck, but one time-honoured remedy significantly curbs these unsettling midlife disturbances;

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Strength training and exercise.

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Lifting weights helps maintain a woman's muscle mass and bone density, which will inevitably decline if we don't begin to challenge them regularly. This deterioration is particularly pronounced during menopause when estrogen production decreases. Maintaining proper muscle mass and bone density is crucial for preserving overall physical function and preventing further challenges such as osteoporosis.

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If that's not enough, hormonal changes can severely affect our sleep patterns, which in turn cause a host of other issues, including brain fog and anxiety. These disturbances will inevitably wreak havoc on our motivation, especially regarding diet and exercise. A changing body can also bring with it a change in our metabolic rate and although a slowed metabolism isn't necessarily a direct symptom of menopause and perimenopause  it is often a part of the Pandora's box it may open. A healthy diet and regular exercise will benefit your hormone levels and metabolism, making insomnia, brain fog and anxiety much more manageable.

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Playing a vital role in our psychological well-being, the endorphins released during strength training are a proven mood enhancer and stress buster. Three strength sessions per week, of 20-30 minutes , should do the trick. You'll not only have those "feel good" chemicals giving you a mental lift, but seeing the physical benefits of regular strength training is also a surefire confidence booster. Oh and of course more muscle keeps that ever important metabolic rate ticking just the way that we want.

No matter which phase of life you're in, strength training is always a good idea. Embrace each stage, and age gracefully while supporting your overall health and mental well-being.

Fun  - Honesty - Simplicity - Smash Life - Mental Toughness - HARD WORK