Anxiety has been mentioned a lot during menopause.
And even if you’d never suffered from anxiety ever before, with hormonal changes, it can creep up on you, literally, out of nowhere…
So, what can be done about it? Medication, of course can be tried. Though it often has side-effects, and it does not always work.
Well… one of the lifestyle hacks, cold water therapy or cryotherapy, can help you.
And before you say No thanks, Olga! 🥶… just hear me out…🙂
Did you know that the Egyptians were the first known users of cold therapy to treat inflammation? And, interestingly, Hippocrates, considered the father of cryotherapy, referenced the use of snow and ice to combat swelling in his writings.
Cold water swimming and cold therapy, also have benefits for mental health, including anxiety relief, by
Stress Reduction and Improved Mood: it triggers the release of endorphins, which are the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. So, I promise you, after your cold water session, you will feel literally “chilled out”! 😇 😄
Nervous System Regulation: over time your “fight or flight” and “rest and digest” of your nervous system will be in a better balance, which is crucial to manage anxiety.
You will become more resilient and calmer in response to daily stressors (won’t it be great to be less snappy at work, or with your kids and family?).
Improved menopausal symptoms: a recent study at University College London published in the journal Post Reproductive Health found that it significantly reduced mood swings and hot flushes.
Half of that study group said cold-water swimming significantly reduced their anxiety, while large minorities said it also helped tackle mood swings (35%), low mood (31%) and hot flushes (30%). And more than six in 10 (63%) said they swam specifically to address menopausal symptoms.
Of course, it would be amazing if we could do it in nature, with a group of other women, sharing the camaraderie…
But what if you are not anywhere near the sea, or a lake?
Well, you don’t have to go swimming. Or even plunging.
Start with a cold shower. Start with 2 seconds, or 5 sdeconds, or 10 (after your normal hot shower, turn the water temp down and count to 10!) 😀.*
That’s where I started… and I hate being cold!!!
I was screaming in the shower the first time round! 😂
BUT the “after feel” of calmness is incredible, and it will carry you through the entire day.
*A small tip from me:
Keep breathing slowly – slow breathing will tell your brain “it’s ok, you can do it!”.
Once you are comfortable with 10 seconds, you can increase the time gradually. Regular cold showers between 30-60 seconds will give you optimal benefits.
So, are you feeling convinced?
Will you give it ago? 😉
Let me know how it went! 👍