This week's discovery on my wellness journey - the importance of being earnest . At least, being earnest about my health and changing body.
Earlier this year, I realized I was in perimenopause. What was my clue? You might think it was hot flashes. Nope! It was my hair, or lack thereof. Then eventually my nails, which had became so weak, they were always splitting. I couldn't keep them short enough to stop the splitting.
As a result, a few months ago I began adding collagen to my daily diet, along with other micronutrients. Collagen starts declining in your 20s. By the time a woman reaches her 40s, its one of the reasons you start complaining about crows feet, laugh lines and other tell-tell signs of aging. I only recently figured this out. Hopefully I saved you a little time.
So, earlier this year I started researching natural ways to increase collagen in my daily diet. I figured I could help offset for what my body no longer produces. Here are my fave ways to get more collagen. All involve food:
- drink bone broth
- add powdered collagen to drinks
- eat fish
- eat organ meats
But, I just got used to this body...
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| Embracing my lack of hair and expanding waistline |
How did I make the collagen connection to my diminishing hair and nails? Well, it took a while. I've always been estrogen dominant, which has its own health risks including placing me at higher risk for female cancers (uterus, breast, etc.) among other things. I've been managing this condition for more than 25 years. Still, one of the positives of my estrogen dominance, was that it slowed down some of the tell tell signs of aging. I was blessed with glowing skin (think pregnancy glow), an hourglass shape with small waist, and full bosom well into my 40s, a time when many of my gal pals had started complaining about their midlife bodies. I've never worn much makeup. Until quite recently, my hair was so thick, that I used to complain about it. Before you think my life is all 'peaches and cream" or I'm particularly vain, let me state that I've never been mistaken for a model. I was a late bloomer. Too tall. Too chubby. A dark complexion. Eyeglasses. Let's just say that I was never the girl that all the boys wanted to date in school. It took me decades to grow in my confidence as a woman. I didn't really hit my stride until my late 20s. While I've never been mistaken for a runway model, I was quite comfortable with my appearance.
Perimenopause is a thief in the night
About 18 months ago, I started noticing something had changed about my neck. I couldn't exactly specify what had changed, but something was different. Then I started realizing I had a little more in the mid section. My nails became fragile, and I was exhausted all of the time. I would fall asleep at 8 p.m., but could never sleep past 3 a.m.Finally, my hair started falling out in huge clumps. I finally paid attention. I started wearing scarves and hats at all times. I made medical appointments. It took multiple doctors and multiple tests, but all agreed. The diagnosis was stress. It took me a few more weeks to figure out it was the beauty robbing combination of stress + onset of perimenopause.
Just as my body was entering this new phase with shifting hormone levels, I had embarked on a high stress job. I was determined to be the woman who had it all - career, perfect marriage, fabulous house, a garden! Where as my 25 year old self probably could've handled all of this, with nothing more than additional sleep now and then and a glass of wine to unwind. My 40- something self self could not. Something had to change.
Eliminating Stress and adding microronutrients
Here's the cruel irony of life for the modern American woman (e.g., ME). We're told we can and should "have it all.." I've come to the conclusion we can have it all. Just not at the same time. When I look at my life, and what led me to this crossroads, I think of a series of choices. I didn't regret any of them until that day in the doctor's office. I was doing what everybody said I should be doing as a young woman. So I dated a bit, but mostly pursued my career, my interests (global travel, wine), bought a house, dated some more. I was 30 when I met my husband.
As my Ob/Gyn explained the reality of my life and what I was facing, she explained, to me that today American society treats our 30s like our 20s, but its not the same for your uterus and eggs. It also means that where in generations past, a woman our age would typically have adult children at this point and be free to now focus on herself and her needs. My body had been giving me signs for some time, but I was ignoring them. It took my hair falling out to pay attention. I was going to need to eliminate some stressors. I needed to recognize my changing hormones and body needs, and respond.
I suddenly realized why my hair was coming out and my skin was no longer glowing. So what's next? Finding my own personal "secret sauce" of wellness. This is a work in progress, but this is what I've come up with so far:
- Listen to my body's cues and make adjustments
- Make time for movement every day. It can be boxing class. It can be walking around my neighborhood.
Walking around the neighborhood - Drink bone broth. Good for joints, skin, eyes, and so much more.
- Indulge in "me time." Sometimes that is a glass of wine and a book. Other times it's a bit of chocolate and some quiet by myself.
- Educate yourself. I've started reading books and following podcasts dedicated to perimenopause
- Eliminate stress triggers
- Phase #1 - I'm no longer a news junkie. Every time I think things couldn't get any worse in the world, they get worse. COVID-19 is just one element. Remember people fighting over toilet paper? How about murder hornets. Now I hear the Bubonic Plague has reappeared in parts of the world. I'm just reducing my exposure to it at this point. I have gone back to reading the newspaper. I started watching PBS News. It allows me to stay informed, but it's not filling my thought pattern with constant bad news.
- Phase #2 - reduce social media. I can't handle the back and forth hate or the conspiracy theories.
- Phase #3 - I delegated some household administrative duties like grocery shopping. I still mop the floors and clean the showers, but I no longer do the shopping. It stresses me out so much. I've gladly passed it over to my husband. He enjoys it!
Disclaimer: I am not a healthcare professional. Perimenopause is unique to each woman. As such, your strategy for managing it, will be unique as well. I am not recommending anything specific to anyone else. Just sharing what worked for me. Always seek the advice of a healthcare professional. 💜
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