Menopause Expert Shares 6 Habits To Avoid To ‘Greatly Reduce’ Symptoms–And 6 Things To Do Instead: Avoid Alcohol & More

Menopause is a natural biological process marking the end of a woman’s menstrual cycles, typically occurring in their late 40s to early 50s. This transition is characterized by hormonal changes, particularly a decrease in estrogen and progesterone levels, leading to symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. While menopause is a normal part of aging, its symptoms can significantly impact daily life. Fortunately, there are habits you can avoid and alternatives you can adopt to greatly reduce these symptoms and enhance your well-being during this phase.

Carol King , a TikToker in her 50s who shares menopause tips, recently revealed the six things you should avoid during menopause to ease your symptoms during this transitional period. Plus, six things to do instead. Keep reading to find out!

Things to Avoid:

Alcohol : Avoiding alcohol can significantly reduce menopause symptoms by minimizing hot flashes and night sweats, as alcohol is a vasodilator that can trigger these episodes. It also improves sleep quality, which is essential for managing mood swings, fatigue, and overall well-being.

Refined sugars: When blood sugar levels are stabilized, it helps prevent energy spikes and crashes that can worsen fatigue and irritability. Refined sugars can lead to weight gain , which exacerbates menopause symptoms. Reducing sugar intake helps in maintaining a healthy weight, thereby alleviating these symptoms.

Fried foods : Fried foods are high in unhealthy fats and calories, contributing to weight gain. These unhealthy fats can also increase inflammation in the body, potentially worsening joint pain and other inflammatory conditions.

Toxic people : Toxic relationships can lead to heightened anxiety, depression, and mood swings, which are common during menopause due to hormonal fluctuations. By distancing yourself from toxic people, you create a supportive and nurturing environment that fosters emotional well-being and reduces the impact of menopause symptoms. This allows you to focus on self-care, stress-reduction techniques, and maintaining a positive mindset, all of which contribute to a smoother menopause experience.

Stress : Chronic stress can disrupt the delicate balance of hormones during menopause, leading to increased severity of symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, insomnia, and fatigue. Additionally, stress can weaken the immune system, making women more susceptible to illnesses and infections, which can further worsen overall well-being during this phase of life.

Excess cardio : Overdoing cardio exercise can lead to increased cortisol levels, which is the body’s stress hormone. Instead of excess cardio, incorporating a balanced exercise routine that includes strength training, flexibility exercises, and moderate cardio can be more beneficial.

Things to Do:

Instead, King suggests adjusting your lifestyle to incorporate activities that can help you manage your menopause symptoms. She recommends simple habits like prioritizing self-care, taking naps, going for walks, practicing yoga, eating fiber- and protein-rich foods , and other similar habits.

These habits contribute to stress reduction, improved sleep quality, physical fitness, hormonal balance, and weight management, all of which are key factors in easing the challenges associated with menopause and enhancing overall well-being during this phase of life.