The Menopause Mindset
It is a truth NOT universally acknowledged that changes in hormone levels during menopause can have a major impact on mental health. Much of the current spotlight on the menopause focuses on physical rather than psychological wellbeing and on the problems rather than the potential in this chapter of life. Positive psychology can strengthen emotional and psychological wellbeing at and post-menopause.
From PMS to Post-Menopause Strength
The menopause represents the end of the reproductive years and it also signals a time of new beginnings. Happiness goes up after fifty rather than down. We get better at emotional regulation and confidence grows. New strengths emerge and multiple forms of intelligence grow stronger. The glow of youth may be missing but nothing beats the savoir faire of a female elder! The fifties and sixties are often the best decades of a woman’s life.
Adopting the Menopause Mindset is about reframing the post-menopause years as a time of awakening and activation of your best self. This training, based on positive psychology, will help you realise the potential of the post-menopause and move into mature happiness. The strategies give you a toolkit to be happier and stronger and step into your power.
The Menopause Mindset workshop has five ingredients to help you flourish after fifty.
MM1: Resilience is a set of learnable skills that can help you cope better in the menopause transition. Optimism plays a key role and helps combats the pessimistic thinking that undermines wellbeing.
MM2: Positivity. Awe, bliss, calm, delight, ecstasy. Or fed up and grumpy? Low mood becomes more frequent as oestrogen levels sink. Positive emotions feel good and do us good expanding our cognitive abilities and building psychological resources.
MM3: Strengths. I feel like I’ve lost myself’ is a common complaint at menopause. Knowing your strengths is the antidote. They are your assets and hold the key to moving forwards in positive directions.
MM4: Meaning. Menopause is a time of transition and often coincides with losing a sense of purpose. Time for a reset to renew your sense of meaning. Maybe even embark on an encore career.
MM5: Relationships. Having a sense of connection is crucial for wellbeing. Yet being down in the menopausal dumps can lead us to withdraw from others. That’s why it’s important to nurture your relationships and open up to new ones. A network of gal pals can cheer you on in the good times and console you in the bad.
“Royal Holloway has been keen to strengthen our support around ageing and the menopause. We had the privilege of discovering Miriam who delivered innovative, practical and truly engaging courses on post-menopause wellbeing and positive ageing. Our colleagues absolutely loved these sessions and we will certainly be asking Miriam for more. This is such an important area that organisations need to support and Miriam brings the perfect combination of expertise, wisdom and warmth.” Dr Katerina Finnis, EDI Manager, Royal Holloway, University of London
“I enjoyed the course very much. For such a vast field, I thought the facts we learnt were great, well chosen and pertinent. I also very much liked the practical, interactive side of the course, for example, the strengths questionnaire and all the thoughts and interaction it provoked. I came out of the course having learnt a lot and felt optimistic and energised (I also felt that about the Positive Ageing course which I did before this one on the Menopause Mindset). I give it top marks and would definitely recommend.”
What elements of the event did you find particularly useful or enjoy? “I found it re-affirming and great to have the opportunity to talk to others facing the same issues.” “The character strengths profile.” “Small group. Very informal and relaxed.” “Being reminded to focus on relationships – my friendships have always been the most important thing to me, but have somehow been crowded out by responsibilities in the last few years – time to make time!”
If you would like to book a Menopause Mindset workshop for your organisation, please get in touch with Miriam. You can also book midlife coaching sessions to help you flourish after fifty.
