So I work for BHPT, who are running this in conjunction with The Wellbeing Boutique, I’m lucky, I got to experience this trial group as a participant.  I thought do I really need this? Is this a course for me? I’m still young aren’t I? I’m 37.

My periods have always been very regular but in the past year I have had a couple be a week or so late, an early one, changed my cycles etc…I’ve not missed one but it had got to the point that I spoke to the GP about it. I’ve also had a few moments where I’ve joked to my family or friends I was having a ‘hot flush’…and think surely it’s not?... Then you hear things like ‘You can be pre-menopausal for 10 years!’  Is that actually true? It’s prob just a coincidence I told myself. So when the menopause became hot topic in the news and it was being talked about in the office I started listening.

And the realisation of how little you actually know about something that will happen to every woman on the planet and is happening right now to at least 20% of the population began to sink in!

It’s all very unfair. Yet another thing to deal with after having children, having to put up with periods from age 11 and everything that comes with them. PMT, hormones, sanitary health bla bla. Sometimes its hard not to be jealous of the males in my life, well all of them! Lucky things.

WHY DON’T WOMEN KNOW WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN TO THEIR OWN BODIES AND WHEN?!

HOW AREN'T WE MORE PREPARED FOR THIS?!

The more I thought about it, the more I knew it would benefit me to know as much as I can and be ready to live my best life through the Peri-menopause and Menopause stages!

So going in to this course I just want to learn more about the Menopause. Learn what changes I can expect (I’m guessing there is more to it that the ones you see in the films and on TV), what I can do to help myself or even prevent anything! Also, I know a tiny weeny bit about HRT (hormone replacement therapy) and I’d like to know more, just in case.

So here goes!

An introduction to the menopause. I’m not going to tell you what we learned, obviously that would spoil it for people, but to give you an idea we defined things: What are the menopause and peri menopause? How do we know when we are there? How we can track symptoms? We had introductions to everybody in the group and Julie, the course leader.
I really like the message: learning information we can take back to girls and women in our family and friends. Correct information, and then help spread the word to arm more people with the knowledge they need. It was very empowering to be doing something for your body and yourself. I felt like I was taking charge & getting ahead.

This week we talked about positive nutrition and hydration. It was very interesting to learn about the foods that could help us. We learned a lot about hormones. It can be quite scientific. I find myself taking notes for things I can try. It was good to be back in a room with the same group of women. I like a group environment for that. It’s good to hear about other peoples tips and experiences. Oh and nothing motivates me more than being surrounded by other positive people.

This week we were joined by Dr Birdi. A renowned local Dr in the field of the Menopause. She joined us with a presentation to talk through the history of the menopause, some facts & stats and it was SO interesting. She was a captivating speaker too. She was due to join us in week 1 but was unable to make it.
This week Julie focused on sleep. Good sleep habits and what good and bad sleep does to our bodies. It was really interesting to hear how and why this reacts with our hormones and why we should prioritise sleep. It’s something I need to work on for sure. We share tips and have a WhatsApp group, it’s very welcoming.

This week was called Restore. Restoring and looking after ourselves. Looking at stress and what it does to us in particular. We looked at practical things we could to relax. Again we share ideas and Julie shares her techniques with us and if we want to have examples or more information she will share them in the private WhatsApp group after.
This was such a relaxing session I think I fell asleep at the end! I didn’t realise how much I needed to look at this part of my life. I’m always rushing around from one thing to the next (actually that’s another part of the session but I’ll let you find out about that!) with the kids, work and errands. It was nice to be shown what to do, take some time out and connect with myself. Going forward I am going to make it my mission to do that more.

This week we focused on movement. It’s important not to fear moving more. There are so many benefits. You may think “But I cant do this” or “I cant do that” trust me, there is something you CAN do. Even if it is following a 5 minute seated exercise video or pilates or lifting some water bottles. It’s about mindset and finding something fun. Until I got my step tracker I never knew how many steps just walking round a shopping centre or walking round the lake at Black Park was. Go with friends, chat and move.
I love the cross trainer at the gym, I love that hour where I go and get peace from my house and kids and the chaos of dinner, homework, bath and routine. Its’ just me and my thoughts and music! You should find something you love to do. I also love walking on a Saturday afternoon with my friend, we chat and put the world to rights and before we know it we’ve been walking ages (we defo don’t ever get lost in the woods or stop for a coffee….)
This session we did a little something gentle to move more. Julie is experienced and knows what she’s doing, she’s so calming and nobody had to do anything they didn’t feel comfortable with.
Afterwards we started thinking about pulling things altogether, talking about our goals that we can look at next week, our last session.

This was the final week.

We looked at our goals that we have identified and set ourself for the future. How to manage them and make them attainable.

We also talked about how to disconnect from negative thoughts. It was such a positive session. A lot of the Menopause can be so stressful, so it has been great to talk about ways to help manage it that don’t involve the Dr or medication.

We ended with a relaxing visualization (I was so sleepy! I need to do this at home for sure).

Overall, I am so pleased that I did this course and learned what may happen and how to manage it when it does.  There was such a wealth of experience in the group. I think all women should know what may happen to their bodies and can’t believe that we have to seek all of this information out ourselves.

If you want to know more then I definitely recommend attending the Wellbeing Day in the New Year!