Menopause Kuel Thought Leader: Lorraine Miano
We are strong, confident, conscientious, and passionate women.
Many if not most of us KUEL women, have painstakingly created and nurtured our own businesses. We work hard and we work long hours. We’ve got the entrepreneurial spirit!
So, what exactly does that mean?
During some research I was doing recently, I came across an article that listed The 5 Characteristics of the Entrepreneurial Spirit. They included:
- Being in tune with their passion
- Always questioning how it can be done better
- Optimistic about all possibilities
- They take calculated risks
- And above all…they execute.
Problem Arises:
Impressive right? We have got it going on!
The problem arises when we have too much going on.
“I support many women, most in their midlife menopausal years..”
“(Wo)men for the sake of getting a living, forget to live.” – Margaret Fuller
As an Integrative Health Coach with a Hormone certification as well, I support many women, most in their midlife menopausal years, who are experiencing chronic stress-related health issues, if not full-blown adrenal fatigue. This may or may not be you right now, however, no matter if you are 50 or 20 years old, what I am about to share with you could dramatically impact the quality of your life, menopause years, and “health-span”.
Women’s Health Issues:
Many women’s health issues quite often come after spending many years living life at an elevated stress level. Most work for themselves, for many hours per week, while also balancing home life. A good portion of these women are now of the “sandwich” generation, where they may be caring for aging parents, while also still supporting their young adult children.
Having experienced what famous anthropologist Margaret Mead, described as “Post-Menopausal Zest” as I entered my 50’s (13 years ago), I can attest to the fact that there isn’t a timeline or an age limit on the entrepreneurial spirit. My ZEST is in full force! I am thoroughly enjoying my “new beginning”, but have to admit, along with the ZEST comes some UNREST.
“Of course, with an increasing presence and workload, comes the possibility of added stress.”
Of course, with an increasing presence and workload, comes the possibility of added stress. As a health coach, I know I’ve got the tools to deal with this holistically and I’d like to share a few tips to help all of you lovely ladies on your own personal health journeys.
What My Younger Self Didn’t Realize:
If I could go back and talk to my 20-year-old self, I’d share that it is never too soon to begin watching out for our health. I’d inform my then lean and active self that what I put on my plate (both figuratively and literally) from now on, could affect my life and my health in my later years.
I’d tell my 20 something self to start researching now about hormone balance and menopause. What my younger self didn’t realize is that by mistreating our bodies (oftentimes unknowingly) for decades, we could, unfortunately, head down a path of hormone imbalance, thyroid conditions, and a pretty crappy menopause experience. Can you say hot flashes? Dry vagina? Anxiety? Chronic illnesses? Weight gain? It’s never too late, or early, to take steps to your healthy future.
Dominance Imbalances:
What do I mean by mistreating? Physically, if we are consuming too many processed foods and drinking too much caffeine and alcohol, we are creating the perfect storm for hormone imbalances. If we are using toxic products on our skin (women use on average 12+ products per day!) …they are being absorbed and acting as xenoestrogens…which mimic estrogen in our bodies.
“We somehow grow accustomed to the chronic stress we experience on a daily basis.”
We inadvertently could be causing estrogen dominance imbalances in our bodies. Did you know that research suggests that women who are extensively exposed to common chemicals found in plastics, personal care items, household items, and the environment are likely to experience early onset menopause? If we don’t exercise or get enough sleep…more imbalances and health issues are practically guaranteed.
Stress Levels:
Often times women don’t realize that their stress levels are elevated. We somehow grow accustomed to the chronic stress we experience on a daily basis. We might not see just exactly how this elevated level of stress is really affecting us. Mentally and emotionally, if we have problems saying “No” (most women), are not managing our stress levels, are in toxic relationships, hate our job, or are experiencing stress in other areas of our lives on a chronic basis, we are at high risk for adrenal fatigue.
The good news is that if you begin now, no matter if you are 50 or 20, to reduce or eliminate these exposures, chances are you can experience a healthier life with fewer symptoms, chronic illnesses, and hormone imbalances later in life.
I’ve decided to apply the 5 Characteristics of the Entrepreneurial Spirit to the 5 Characteristics of the Strong, Healthy & Mindful Spirit as suggestions for living your best life!
5 Steps To Your Personal Health Journey:
So, here is how to apply these characteristics to your personal health journey:
1.Be in tune with your passion:
What are some of your personal self-care dreams and goals? What gets your blood pumping? Or what makes you happy? Is it dancing? Painting? Writing? Hiking? Traveling? Some other passion? Many of these are wonderful steps to your healthy future.
2. Always question how it can be done better:
Am I treating my body with the respect it deserves? Am I feeding it with nourishing foods? Moreover, am I feeding my brain with positive thoughts? Am I reducing the stress in my life? Am I participating in things that make me truly happy? How can I do these things better?
3. Be Optimistic with all possibilities:
I have the power and ability to create my best life, my healthiest life, my most fulfilled personal life. The choice is mine. The Universe is at my beck and call.
“Remember it is not just the quantity but the quality of the years that lay before us.”
4. Take a calculated risk:
What step could I take today that might be out of my comfort zone, but I know will benefit me? Could it be to walk away from a toxic relationship? Change my career? Become a vegetarian? Try some new exercises like Yoga, Pilates, or Rebounding?
5. And above all EXECUTE!
Health Span:
How will you show up FOR YOU today and every day? Which steps to your healthy future will you take to set you on your way to a happy and long “health span”? How will you continuously show yourself some SELF-LOVE? How will you make time for YOU? You just need to DO IT!
Remember it is not just the quantity but the quality of the years that lay before us. As the spiritual teacher, Eckhart Tolle reminds us “It is not uncommon for people to spend their whole life waiting to start living.”
My reminder to each one of you hardworking, passionate, and strong women traveling on this magnificent and wonderful life journey together as we share our passions and gifts… please don’t forget to live.
Did you enjoy this article? Become a Kuel Life Member today to support our Community. Sign-up for our Sunday newsletter and get your content delivered straight to your inbox.
About the Author:
As a post-menopausal woman herself, Lorraine Miano discovered her passion of offering menopause advocacy, support and resources to women in all phases of menopause through health coaching, proper nutrition and preventive lifestyle choices. She received her certifications as a Health Coach and hormone health expert from The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She has been able to help even more women by writing and publishing her first book, The Magic of Menopause: A Holistic Guide to Get Your Happy Back!
Lorraine loves to encourage her clients with her mantra “Menopause is NOT an ending! IT IS a new beginning!” When she’s not advocating for “the change”, you can find Lorraine traveling with her husband Richard, quite often to visit her 5 grandchildren who call her “Nonni”.
