How swimming eases the symptoms of menopause

  Middle age in women brings new realities and challenges. Time affects all people though this is a fact that shall not prevent us from fully enjoying life. Each stage of our lives can be highly beneficial and fruitful. In such cases though, adopting new strategies for dealing with new issues is essential. All ladies out there shall know that swimming is an excellent practice for easing the symptoms of menopause.

 

How can you identify symptoms of menopause?

Our bodies always send signals for every change that is taking place. We must receive those signals and react accordingly. Likewise, menopause comes with several symptoms like having irregular periods, feeling hot, experiencing sleep disturbances and sudden shifts in mood. All symptoms arise from the changing levels of estrogen, the female sex hormone that is situated in the ovaries. It's significant for females to keep in mind that the above symptoms can occur years before their last menstrual period. Quite frequently, doctors describe the whole experience of menopause as a journey, a trip that includes “turn-by-turn directions”. The confirmation of menopause comes when the period stops for twelve months in a row. It's a natural event that usually occurs at the ages of 40-58. The average age of menopause is 51, although it may happen in opposite extremes: from the ages of 30's to some cases to the age of '60s to others.

 

How to reduce and manage symptoms of menopause

Before we take a closer look at the positive contribution of swimming to easing symptoms of menopause, it would be useful to examine the means that women can employ to reduce them. In general terms, there are two main areas of concern:

 

1. Nutrition
2. Exercise

 

It is not accidental that both of the above areas are very important for a healthy life in all its stages. Eating healthy and exercising regularly are essential prerequisites for living a life in its full capacity. This becomes even more significant during the menopause period and shall be a priority. Nutritional habits for women in menopause shall include fruits and fresh vegetables, legumes, lean meats and whole grains as well as foods that are rich in Vitamin D and Calcium like milk, yoghurt, cheese, oily fish, egg yolks, red meat and liver. Furthermore, avoiding foods that trigger overeating, such as chips, pies, pizzas etc, is very helpful for maintaining a healthy diet and managing the symptoms of menopause.

 

Why is swimming ideal for easing symptoms of menopause

The second area of interest that all women who reach the phase of menopause shall prioritise, is that of exercise. To gain a more accurate insight into the issue, you should combine it with the factor of ageing that comes together with menopause. It's like a chain of reactions: Lack of exercise that usually increases with time brings metabolism changes (we burn fewer calories) leading to increased weight and fat mass, leading to muscle mass decreases.

Now that the importance of exercise is clear, we shall point out why swimming is the ideal exercise for reducing the symptoms of menopause. There are three main reasons for that: 

 

• Swimming is a light exercise for joint
• Swimming is greatly uplifting
• Swimming increases body flexibility

The element that combines all the above reasons is the source of life: water. Moving your body in water is easier and less burdening for the body. Swimming is a smooth exercise and you can adjust the level for training to your unique, personal needs. Buoyancy makes your body “fly” in the water and allows you to exercise all parts of your body with minimal movements.

As for the uplifting that swimming brings, there's no better evidence than the women themselves. A BBC report indicates how helpful swimming was for overcoming the effects of menopause. Uplifting your mood is a stabilising factor for mental health. And you don't need to swim in a cold sea, like the women in the above report. Swimming pools where the temperature is controlled or the open sea during summertime could be the perfect places.

 

Take control of your life

One thing is certain: menopause is not the end in the life of a woman. It certainly signals the entrance to a different stage but all stages in life have their beauty. The dropping levels of estrogen levels mean that the protective effect of hormones against diseases, so all women who reach that stage shall take action and regain their physical and mental liveliness. Together with several important factors for a quality life-such as keeping a stable and healthy sleeping cycle, drink lots of water and socialise frequently- swimming can make this transitional period seem smooth. Keep a positive approach, keep swimming and keep enjoying all the good things in life!