My mobile phone inbox is flooded with forwarded messages, memes, and pictures of the new year celebrations. 2022 has started and we have already passed mid-month. Honestly speaking, we all may unanimously agree that we don’t want to count 2020 and 2021 in our calendars anymore.
I don’t know about you, but I planned my New Year’s Eve being housebound. The whole world in under distress feels anxious and is unsure about the future. But History has witnessed such epidemics since we have known life. And when life comes to its lowest, the only way possible is upward and onwards. So, cheers to the New Year which we hope brings joy, peace, and faith back.
I used to be a frequent traveler before the pandemic. I remember spending one of the New Year’s Eve flying back from Egypt. Egypt has a rich culture and colossal mythology about After-life. What charmed me most was that they strived hard all their current life, to build tombs and collect things to carry with them in their Afterlife.
Here, we make New year’s resolutions and break them even before the turn of the calendar. And then, there is this whole civilization whose persistence follows the notion of After-life. A firm belief in life after death including the most enduring Vision of Aaru. They wanted to have a mirror image of their current life in their next life – Aaru- as they call it. All our life’s decision reflects and comes back to us in later life- hence the Egyptians tried to live righteously, decide wisely and treasure things that would really matter to them.
That also raised a question for me. When do I start preparing for my Afterlife? Or better still, when do I start preparing for a slightly changed life after my menopause. And all my decisions taken now would reflect in my old ages. What physical strength, wisdom, and memories would I want to carry with me?
Let’s face it, we think, I have plenty of time and I shall cross the bridge when I get there. But on the contrary, earlier is always better, when we discuss Menopause.
So here are my few cents:
1. Get hormones tested:
Blood work to find out the baseline readings for your hormone levels, including estrogen, testosterone, and thyroid
2. Practice a healthy lifestyle
A healthy diet, physical activity, and management of stress -when kept in check, can decrease or even erase your symptoms.
It is never too late to start exercising. Even just 20 or 30 minutes a day of moderate exercises, such as walking, swimming, or yoga, brings great health benefits. These include improved mood, better sleep, more energy, and a lower risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis.
3. Get enough sleep:
We massively underestimate the power of recharging. But sticking to the night clock and leaving with gadgets away from your bed would do an enormous favor on your body.
4. Say NO to indulgence
Several research studies link smoking to early menopause and more severe menopause symptoms. So, it’s a good idea to consider quitting smoking and limiting caffeine and alcohol intake.
5. Talk to older women in your life
Ask them if they have started or gone through menopause what their experience has been and what they wish they had known earlier. One woman’s positive or negative experience can offer insight for the next generation.
All the highways that I drive, one thing I have noticed is that they always put speed limit signages much ahead of the actual Radar cameras. Similarly, our body is very smart to catch all the signals much before the actual event happens.
I am starting to plan my A’aru now, when do you plan to do that?
About the blogger:
Dr. Tabassum Inamdar is a dynamic Homoeopath, a passionate artist, and an adventurer in life. From Medical corporate to Academics, she has well balanced her left brain and right brain with equal passion for Art. A sketch artist since her childhood, she is enchanted by theatre and writing. She has been a regular theatre performer in Dubai. She continues life’s adventure by trekking, Sky diving, or marshaling at Formula 1 tracks. You may stalk her on Instagram @doctabu or say hello on FB @tabu.inamdar
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