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Start the year wisely...here goes!

  • Ruth Devlin
  • 5 days ago
  • 5 min read

HELLO everyone – I know I know where was your pre-Christmas newsletter wishing you all the best over the festive period, giving you advice on how to field the temptations of overindulgence, whilst managing menopausal symptoms - alongside hopefully enjoying yourselves as well! Then there’s the continual overload for your heightened senses to cope with…a potential minefield.


Well, profuse apologies for the lack of newsletter but the lead up to Christmas was a tad bonkers accompanied by succumbing to the dreaded lurgy that seems to have flattened half of Scotland and from what I hear is continuing to!


For any of you who find yourselves currently ‘down’ with the lurgy I would highly recommend regular hot drinks of honey, lemon and slices of fresh ginger accompanied by Vicks rubbed onto chest and feet (yes feet…marvellous…but do remember to pop some socks on or life becomes rather sticky and you have enough to cope with!) Hydrate, sleep and general rest will promote a faster recovery - don’t try and battle on just give into it and let everyone around you fend for themselves for a few days!  



So, I hope you all had a very merry time over the festive period and wishing you all a healthy & happy 2026.

 


PODCAST UPDATE

We have now released 5 Series of the Menopause Matters, Let’s Talk podcast as well as our 12 Menopause Myths, did you catch those - quick reminder of some of the bonkers myths surrounding the menopause that people unfortunately keep punting out…I know very frustrating.



Series 5 has some cracking episodes to listen to, if you missed them in the flurry of activity leading up to Christmas…lifestyle…sleep…migraines…men & the menopause…measuring hormone levels and community pharmacists…all with fabulous guests on who are leading specialists within their fields.



BUT LET’S GET ONTO NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS…


STOP…let’s just forget about those shall we…let’s face it they don’t usually last, are a waste of brain space, time and effort and you’ll more than likely be a few £££s poorer after investing in bonkers things!


INSTEAD how about trying a bit of common sense!

What does your body and your brain (in particular) need and crave?

Whether your body is going through the Menopause or not think of it as a finely tuned engine…you know it’s quite a remarkable thing the human body with multiple interdependent systems that constantly interact to maintain homeostasis (balance) and as such requires a bit of respect but also a bit of TLC.


YOUR JOB…

To feed and hydrate it with what it needs.

To move…rotate, stretch and flex muscles, ligaments and joints on a regular basis…alongside doing some weight bearing & strength exercise.

And importantly learn how to rest and relax…lower those stress hormones…keep that blood pressure steady…learn how to self-care.

It’s an absolute no-brainer isn’t it to look after yourself! You’re given one body and brain in life and it’s up to you to look after it. Here’s a quick reminder of the 6 pillars of lifestyle medicine that can help…


·       Mental wellbeing

·       Healthy eating

·       Physical activity

·       Social interaction, healthy relationships

·       Sleep

·       Minimise harmful substances

 

Focus on these 6 things first and foremost and your body & mind will be in a better place.

It’s seriously worth it…tiny changes can have a mighty impact. Think small. Incremental steps are more sustainable. Don’t try and tackle everything at once it will be overwhelming. There’s a fabulous episode to listen to with Dr Barbara Phipps on our podcast!

 

MENOPAUSE AND THE NEW YEAR

I know many of you will be thinking here she goes again banging on about lifestyle factors but what about my hormone imbalance…the multitude of debilitating symptoms I’m experiencing…the lack of time to think about myself…the inability to even focus on what I need to eat & drink let alone finding the energy and strength of mind to move and exercise.


I completely get it…been there worn the t-shirt…


The best advice I heard last year came from my co-host of the podcast Heather (Dr Heather Currie), as it so often does!


KEEP IT SIMPLE


Don’t overthink everything – just do small steps but do something every day, whether that’s making soup, eating an apple, going for a walk, doing a 7mins tai chi routine…I’ve recently found a fabulous one here’s the link & thank you very much Phoenix Mountain Tai Chi. Highly recommend, easy to follow and works, plus – heaven - no pop-ups asking you to subscribe! Seriously ALL of you can fit in 7 mins…now come on!


When it comes to medications, particularly hormonal ones, again keep it simple – the simpler the regime the easier to manage.


Supplements…get all your pots and packages out on the kitchen table, take a serious look at them. Read the contents fully, do they interact with each other and any other medications you might be on, and do you seriously need them or are you creating more work for your body to cope with? Seriously the less crap you put into your body the better it will work plus, will have a positive impact on helping to manage your symptoms.


FINALLY THE WORKPLACE…

How is it all going? Are you creating some noise within the workplace about the Menopause…getting the conversations going…popping in some educational/information sessions, thinking of a programme of events throughout the year, creating safe spaces for employees to drop into should they need reassurance and advice?


Have you got your head around your Menopause Action plan yet? If you need a hand and would like some advice and insight, get in touch ruth@letstalkmenopause.co.uk


Here’s to a fabulous 2026…

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A reminder of some useful signposting…


 

Women’s Health concern : www.womens-health-concern.org : fact sheets

 

Menopause Matters : www.menopausematters.co.uk

 

Let’s Talk Menopause : https://www.letstalkmenopause.co.uk/

Men…Let’s Talk Menopause book : https://tinyurl.com/2p9y3vhv

 

Jackie Lynch/Nutritionist : www.well-well-well.co.uk

 

Squeezy app : www.squeezyapp.com : pelvic floor

 

Daisy Network : www.daisynetwork.org : Premature menopause/POI

 

The Eve Appeal : www.eveappeal.org.uk : 5 gynae cancers

 

Endometriosis UK : www.endometriosis-uk.org

 

The Royal Osteoporosis Society : theros.org.uk &  greatbritishbonecheck.org.uk

 

Dr Claire Macaulay: The Pleasure Possibility

 

 

 

CBT self help guide : ‘Living Well Through The Menopause' & ‘Managing Hot flushes and Night sweats; A cognitive behavioural self-help guide to the Menopause’ by Myra Hunter and Melanie Smith: https://tinyurl.com/bde7f86k

 

 

 

 

BMS : www.thebms.org.uk : publications scroll to tools for clinicians

 

 

 

 
 
 

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