Thriving in Midlife

Life's Help

Get Healthy

The best is yet to come!

Published: January 20, 2010

By Dr. Christiane Northrup

Dare to cultivate pleasure instead of stress.

How distressing your physical and emotional symptoms are during perimenopause depends on how out of balance with wellness your lifestyle has been in the years leading up to this point. Think of it this way: Your body has given you about 40 years or so to get your act together. During your teens, 20s, and 30s, your body is incredibly forgiving. If you’re overstressed, overworked, or drink too much; if you smoke, underexercise, and eat a poor diet, you may still be able to maintain moderately good health.

But once you reach midlife, your body will no longer let you get away with this kind of lifestyle, and you’ll eventually pay the price. So why not make changes for the better now! Women who approach menopause in a state of emotional and nutritional depletion typically have the most serious perimenopausal symptoms—not to mention poorer health as they age. On the other hand, studies show that women who have been eating right, exercising regularly, and taking good care of themselves don’t tend to suffer from bone loss, low sex drive, cardiovascular problems, depression, forgetfulness, or other common menopausal challenges. Good news, right?

Your mind is also a key part in how easily you make this transition. Your attitudes, thoughts, beliefs, and expectations greatly impact how you experience menopause. Let me tell you about the women in the !Kung tribe in southern Africa. These women enjoy a higher social status after menopause, and as a result, instead of dreading the transition, they very much look forward to it. Their entire culture is in agreement with this belief. Not surprisingly, the !Kung don’t have menopausal symptoms; in fact, they don’t even have a word for “hot flash” in their language!

The Change—in How We Look at Midlife

The common belief in society has long been that menopause means you’re getting old, and that’s why your body is meant to start falling apart. But in reality, nothing could be further from the truth. You’re just experiencing what I call “breakdown to breakthrough.” The best is yet to come!

The menopausal transition is a wake-up call that’s urging you to make changes that will keep you in touch with your vital life force (sometimes called chi or prana). The truth about this time of life is that when you have the courage to change your beliefs and behaviors so that you speak your truth and dare to cultivate pleasure instead of stress, you have the power to create a life of unbridled joy, unlimited abundance, and vibrant health. That absolutely includes having the best sex of your life . . . now that’s something to look forward to!

Christiane Northrup, M.D., a board-certified ob/gyn, is a visionary pioneer; beloved authority in women’s health and wellness. Dr. Northrup now devotes her time to helping women truly flourish on all levels through tapping into their inner wisdom. Website: www.DrNorthrup.com