During these interesting times, it wouldn’t be surprising if your anxiety has gone through the roof!!
There are very real reasons for our anxieties at the moment, but some have also been hyped up by the media.
If you are in the middle of perimenopause, your anxiety has been likely worse than usual, and that was bad enough!
Let’s have a little deeper look at why we are so prone to anxiety during perimenopause.
Anxiety is actually one of the most common symptoms during perimenopause. It’s usually is the type of anxiety that is disproportionate to the situation. You seem to worry about everything and anything!
This anxiety can easily lead us to experiencing panic attacks, which can be quite scary.
Everything seems overwhelming. You can’t even make a decision without breaking into a sweat of worry and panic.
So, what is going on within us that is causing all this?
Fluctuations in our hormones, have a major part to play in this. Especially progesterone levels.
Progesterone is a calming hormone. When its levels start to decrease in perimenopause, we can feel worried and anxious about any little thing.
Perimenopause is the time when our past unresolved emotional traumas come to the fore. It is natural that we start feeling anxious much more easily. It is our body’s way of telling us we need to resolve something.
In more normal times, this is likely the main reason why we get so anxious during perimenopuase. Have a deeper look into what is making you anxious and panicky. Those seemingly little things are usually a standing in front of a bigger thing that keeps calling you to be resolved.
At this moment in time, however, I can see that our cortisol and adrenaline levels are the ones causing most of this mayhem.
Cortisol and adrenaline are our survival hormone. It takes precedence over all the others. They are produced when we are in perceived danger, it’s our flight or fight hormone.
We have all been feeling in some sort of danger these last few weeks – from the virus, from losing our freedom, from our inability to see friends and family, from being in financial hardship, from the probability of losing our livelihoods… the list can go on…
If these two hormone is overflowing due to stress, they will create imbalance in all the others. Including progesterone, our calming hormone.
It’s no wonder we are all feeling super anxious. We’ve got anxiety coming at us from the external stresses and fear being thrown at us every day for the past 2 months. And we are also getting it from the hormonal imbalances that result from it.
So what can you do to feel more calm?
Some simple things you can easily do right now include avoiding alcohol and caffeine, and taking time to exercise and to rest as well.
Nutritionally some vitamin B6 and magnesium could help, as they calm your nervous system.
If you feel your anxiety is too much, out of proportion or persistent, or you are having a difficult time dealing with it, then do try to get help.
EFT, meditation, mindfulness and counselling may be very helpful in this instance.
Homeopathy and flower essences are also amazing in these situations.
Please don’t let yourself get mired in your anxiety. I am here to help.
I’m offering free 15 minute chats to all my clients, to talk about how you are doing, and help you feel calmer and more at peace.
I’m in the middle of preparations for my summer holiday!So excited to be seeing my family soon and spend some time with them, and in a nice, hot, place near the beach too boot!
So I’m just making my list of things to take with me, and since many of you are probably going on holiday at some point in the next few weeks, I thought I’d share with you what I usually never leave home without on my travels.
Homeopathy First Aid Kit
Definitely never leave home without it!!!It contains all the main remedies you could need in any first aid situation, including Arnica for shock, bumps and bruises; Belladonna for fevers; Ledum for stings or puncture wounds; Nux Vomica for overindulgence and indigestion…
Here in the UK you can get one from Helios or Ainsworths homeopathic pharmacies.They are both excellent.
Helios has a choice of 18 or 36 remedy kits (you can only order the 36 remedy kit by phone), whilst Ainsworths is a 42 remedy kit – well worth it as it also comes with an excellent booklet to help you choose the most appropriate remedy.
Homeopathic Creams
There are 2 that I take with me without fail – Arnica cream for bumps and bruises, and Hypericum & Calendula cream for helping cuts and scrapes heal.Sometimes I also take Rhust Tox & Ruta cream to help with muscular pains.
Again these you can get from either Helios or Ainsworths pharmacies.
Travel Ease Essence from Alaskan Essences
This one travels with me in my handbag.This especially to help you with the negative effects of travel, especially air travel – the crowded and confined spaces, electromagnetic radiation, noise, vibration, and the jet lag.
I take this essence regularly before, during and after the flight, along with some Arnica to help with the jet lag.
You can get this essence from myself, or from Healthlines in the UK. You can also get it directly from Alaskan Essences in the USA.
Vitamin B1 and insect repellent
If you are like me and insects love to bite you, then I recommend taking Vitamin B1 with you.There are various brands out there, I like Viridian and Biocare, but am sure there are other good ones out there.
I also take a natural insect repellent, like Incognito.DEET is very toxic, so try to avoid anything with that ingredient.Look for a natural and, preferably, organic repellent option.
Sunscreen and after-sun care
There’s been a lot of controversy over sunscreen lately, whether it’s actually needed, whether it’s toxic and bad of the environment, etc.I’m not getting into this now, but have a look here for more information: EWG sunscreen report and Mercola’s sunscreen safety guide.
The thing is, the sun is actually good for us, but in moderation.The best way to get our much needed vitamin D is through the skin, so putting sunscreen on all the time will actually prevent us from our daily vitamin D dose (and most of us in her in the UK are very deficient!).
However, the amount of time you can be in the sun without damage depends on your unique skin.If you are fair skinned then it will obviously be less than if you have darker skin.
The main thing to go by is that once your skin gets a bit red, that’s it, it’s time to cover up or get out of the sun.
If you know you are going to be outside in the sun for a while, then do use some sunscreen, especially in your face. There are many safe options out there, some organic ones; avoid sunscreens with nano particles and spray on sunscreens.
My choice is a natural, organic sunscreen option, with zinc oxide (and perhaps also titanium dioxide).
For after sun care, Aloe Vera creams or gels are great.If you got too much sun, homeopathic Belladona will help, also Calendula for the skin.
I also use homeopathic Sol 30c or 200c for before and after sun to prevent skin damage.
DO YOU HAVE ANY TRAVEL TIPS TO SHARE?
I would love to know!
Hi, I’m Stephanie!
I’m a registered Homeopath living in the small, beautiful rural county of Herefordshire in the UK. My passion is to help women balance their hormones in a natural, safe and effective way, so they can feel like themselves again.
