Three simple health tips (remember I said simple, not easy!):

Staying healthy before, during, and after menopause is not as hard as you probably think it is.

While genetics do play a role, too many women blame “poor genetics” for everything.

Let’s not blame, let’s take action!

1. Stay as active as possible!

Again, this is not as hard or as complicated as you may think.

Simple things like choosing the stairs instead of the elevator, or walking your dog an extra block or two can do wonders.

Feeling fit? Take those stairs two at a time. I do all the time and sometimes I’ll even jump from stair to stair.

A study I just read published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise found that three brisk 10 minute walks per day were as effective as a daily 30-minute walk in decreasing risk factors for heart disease.

Remember too, that if you sit all day at work take frequent breaks to get up, stretch and go for a little walk.

2. Take a Saturday afternoon nap!

Taking naps every now and then is great for stress reduction. It’ll recharge your batteries and you’ll feel more productive when you’re awake.

Lack of enough good quality sleep has serious long-term health repercussions.

In some cases a simple 30 minute nap can make all the difference in the world. If you are not already a napper, try taking a few naps and see how it feels.

3. Write down everything you do for a week!

EVERYTHING!

I did this a few months ago and it sure was eye opening. It’s truly amazing how much time we all waste and what we give our time and attention to.

Once you do this and look at it with an open mind, make some changes. Even small changes in time management will add YEARS to your life.

Think of it like this: cutting 20 minutes of wasted time every day gives you 10 extra hours of productive time every month. Interesting math lesson, don’t you think?

When you write EVERYTHING down you will be embarrassed by how much time you waste every day, and that’ll help motivate you to make the time management changes.

And you’ll likely find that 30 minutes you thought you didn’t have for your nap!!!

shelli

A SHORT FUNNY STORY FOR YOU:

Last week I was talking with Judy.

She’s almost 70 and is a long time family friend. She’s known me since I was born!

I was showing her the many menopause projects I’m working on and she really enjoyed them. She told me that when she was younger and asked her elders, particularly her grandmother, about menopause this is how the conversation went.

Judy: “Grandma, I’m getting hot flashes. What should I do?”

Grandma: “HOT FLASHES—Stick your head out the window!!!”

We had a good laugh when Judy shared this with us.

If you have any stories like these send them along. I’d love to share them blog posts.

And remember, no step is too small as long as it’s a step in the right direction!

And laughing is DEFINITELY a step in the right direction!

shelli