Sandwiched
If you’re in the sandwich generation like me, there’s a strong chance you’re a woman either approaching menopause or in the midst of it. As I’ve mentioned in this column before, the average caregiver is a 49-year-old woman who works outside the home and provides up to 20 hours per week of unpaid care to her mother.
With the average age of menopause in the United States being 51, becoming knowledgeable about how to handle this challenging stage of life is crucial so you can feel your best to take care of both your family and your elderly relative(s). However, menopause is something that people just don’t talk about. I’d like to help change that.
When the black cohosh I’d been taking since last summer stopped helping my hot flashes in February, I began to search for better solutions. My doctor recommended a low-dose antidepressant, which backfired big-time as I shared in a previous column. So, I’ve been on a quest to find relief through other, natural avenues ever since.
A small fan such as this could prove useful during a hot flash. (Photo provided)
The first thing I learned is the importance of wearing layers. When a hot flash strikes, you need to be able to throw off that coat, jacket, cardigan, etc. and get down to a tank top pronto! I now probably own at least a dozen and can no longer sleep in regular pajamas. I kept wearing a tank top to bed even in the winter.
The next thing I invested in is a portable fan. Years ago, I laughed at these little suckers thinking how silly they looked. Not anyone. I found a cute one at Aldi for $5 a few weeks ago that runs on two AA batteries. It has been AWESOME!
When I’m sitting outside on a nice summer evening or in our recliner reading just before bedtime, I keep this fan nearby. Hot flashes typically like to strike in the evenings for most of us in menopause. As soon as the redness and warmth begin to creep up my chest and neck, I turn on my trusty fan to bring some relief.
Speaking of fans, always keep one running near your bed at night. This has saved me countless times and helped with the annoying night sweats.
You may also want to work on ways to handle anxiety if you haven’t done so already. Many times hot flashes and anxiety go hand in hand. When I feel the anxiety starting, I rely on the “color” technique to quickly soothe myself. I simply look around the room and find items that are all the same color to take my mind off of the situation. It’s a great distraction technique.
I’m still experimenting with natural remedies to help reduce hot flashes as well. One program I’ve started has helped with my energy and mental clarity but not so much with hot flashes. I’ll continue to experiment (safely!) and keep you posted. Getting crazy menopause symptoms under control is a key to success for many of us in the sandwich generation.