Menopause: during and after
“Entering menopause: A time of transformation. A new phase of life begins. Invigoration. Inspiration. It is a time for a woman to explore her spirituality and increase her focus on herself, her marriage, and her family. Judaism offers a unique and incredibly special way to celebrate this transition and expand the spirit through the ritual of mikvah.”
With life expectancy now reaching beyond age 80, women can expect to live perhaps a third of their lives post-menopausally. Many report these years as a time of increased confidence and feelings of empowerment. However, the menopause transition can be a difficult one.
The attitude with which you embark upon this transition can have a tremendous impact on your experience of it, as well as on your choice of behaviors. Studies including those at “Mind Over Menopause,” Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine’s Mind/Body Program for Perimenopause/Menopause bear this out: negative beliefs held prior to menopause can be predictive of a more difficult time. For instance, the more catastrophic your thoughts about hot flashes, the more intense they will be.
Additionally, it has also been shown by the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) that changing those negative thoughts and attitudes can result in a reduction of symptoms. Even in the face of difficult symptoms, women consistently say that changing their outlook helps. Research has shown that mind/body interventions also results in lower blood pressure, improved sleep, decreased depression, anxiety, and anger, and an increased sense of well-being.
As you enter the next phase of your life, consider including mikvah as a part of a symbolic rebirth and a spiritual renewal.
