expert advice: SURVIVING CHRISTMAS (DURING PERIMENOPAUSE)

Let’s face it – Christmas is challenging at the best of times, and as women we have traditionally taken on the majority of the mental and physical load. Juggling work, buying gifts, ensuring the house is spotless, filled with fresh flowers, the Christmas tree looks gorgeous – yada yada. Then there is the actual day of cooking, ensuring everyone’s needs are met. It’s huge…

Nikki Ellis is a personal trainer who takes a holistic approach with her clients, specialising in perimenopause and menopause. As their sounding board she’s heard it all and has some key tips to survive the silly season when experiencing perimenopause.

Near enough is good enough

Your house does not need to be insta worthy, your wrapping does not need to be co-ordinated and if your dessert turns out not quite right (my pav last Christmas) laugh about it, slather on the cream and berries and carry on. It. Doesn’t. Matter (This is your Christmas mantra)

Lower your expectations (and everyone elses)

For those of us with children, by the time we enter perimenopause our children have gone from being adorable toddlers to monosyllabic teens we need to lever out of bed just in time for Christmas lunch. Our parents may be unwell or absent, and Christmas can be a reminder of happier times gone by. (#imcrying) Think of it as a nice family day where you get to hang out and eat together – it isn’t going to look or feel like it does in the movies, unless perhaps that movie is The Family Stone. Let your visitors know that you are having a more relaxed approach this year – you could even say the words “I’m going through menopause and honestly I need your love and support this year. Also please bring cheese.” Seriously though – accept offers of help, outsource and delegate. A couple of years back I discovered the joy of ordering a cooked turkey that you pick up on Christmas morning – life changing.

Organise your Meds

If you are on HRT of any kind ensure your prescription has at least another repeat on it, and get your prescription filled before you have run out – especially at the moment when not all medications are readily available. Travelling? Ensure you have your medications with you and double check you have enough to see you through your holiday and at least a week of your return.

Finances

Stick to your budget. No, you don’t need to run out and buy another 6 bottles of wine “just in case”, you probably have plenty of wrapping paper and sticky tape and as a service provider myself I am telling you – you don’t need to buy your personal trainer, postie, hairdresser etc – a gift. Your gift is being our loyal customers – a text with a message of how much you love what we do is gorgeous!
Many of us find money stressful (even when we are actually OK – shout out to my lack of abundance gals) but right now with the cost of living high we are all watching our spending. For you as a perimenopausal woman we want to keep your naturally elevated cortisol levels as low as possible – so keep an eye on this if it applies to you.

Go for a walk

Daily – to help with fitness, your circadian rhythm – sunlight on eyeballs in the morning will help you sleep at night, and mental health. When needed – if Uncle Gerard at Christmas starts rantng about how sportswomen shouldn’t get paid as much as men because “No one watches anyway”, rather than muffling him with a large salad bowl, go for a fifteen minute walk. No one will notice you are gone and you can either clear your mind in silence, or put on some great tunes and elevate your mood.

Consider your Eating

I don’t mean in a “enter that in My Fitness Pal” kind of way – hey – it’s Christmas! I mean – be aware of anything that can make you feel yuck. Hot spicy foods and Caffeine can exacerbate hot flushes with some of us – so if these don’t work for you maybe leave them out. Alcohol is a tricky one as for many perimenopausal women alcohol disrupts sleep and leaves us feeling hungover for days. Balance fun with the after effects and you will be just fine.

CONNECT

Nikki Ellis is the powerhouse Melbourne-based personal trainer, fitness expert, and author, boasting over three decades of industry prowess. Specialising in empowering perimenopausal and menopausal women, Nikki’s influence extends beyond her fitness enterprise. Read more about her here

Visit her website: cinch.training/

Follow her instagram: instagram.com/cinchtraining/