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Drive away the blues

With a change in lifestyle, women pushing 40 are more prone to suffer from a phase of emotional crisis, writes NIVEDITA GANGULY

PHOTO: K.R.DEEPAK

FITNESS MANTRA Brisk walk can do wonders to soothe the disturbed mind

As the first rays of dawn lights up the sky, she wakes up for the day's routine. The dirty kitchen awaits her while she hurries up with her morning ablutions to start a hectic day's work. Once the children and husband set off for work, there starts yet another lonely, emotional battle amidst the four walls of the house. Like most women, she had tucked away her dreams and aspirations for the sake of her children only to realise how terribly lonely life can get once the children are on their own.

With a change in lifestyle and the gen-next demanding more space for themselves, women pushing 40 are more prone to suffer from a phase of emotional crisis. This can be termed as a mid-life crisis for women. The menopausal stage can particularly be a tough time for the women to handle. Many go through long agonizing moments of tolerating the physical and mental symptoms of menopause.

Struggling between mood swings and loneliness, it can be a harrowing experience for the women. With none to share their troubles with, a feeling of loneliness settles in, taking a heavy toll on them. Menopause is a stage when the menstrual cycle stops for over 12 months, followed by symptoms like hot flushes, depression and weight gain. It is another stage in a woman's life akin to attaining puberty and motherhood. But the difference here is that, the onset of this stage in a woman's life in most cases is when, a woman is not exactly young enough to deal with it. Depression and chances of getting osteoporosis are at a high during these times, says fitness trainer Ganga Raj.

Menopause can be handled tactfully, if only one follows the proverb - "prevention is better than cure". The most effective ways for tackling this problematic phase are a balanced nutrition and regular physical exercise, she suggests.

Osteoporosis is a dreaded stage wherein the bones become thin leading to backache, fracture or loss of height. Many women even develop a severe hunch due to osteoporosis. "A normal fall can result in a fracture if affected by it (osteoporosis)," says Ganga.

Any form of exercise is of tremendous help to overcome the symptoms of menopause. Even a half an hour of yoga or brisk walk can do wonders to soothe the disturbed mind, she adds.

Weight bearing exercises help reduce chances of osteoporosis. Some of the common causes of osteoporosis are inactive lifestyle, smoking, alcohol (more than 200 ml a week), low calcium intake, low vitamin D intake, medical conditions like diabetes mellitus, overactive thyroid and the use of certain medications like steroids (used for arthritis or asthma). Ganga stresses on the importance of weight bearing exercise (walking, jogging, cycling) for at least 30 minutes three to four times a week. Avoid cigarettes and drink in moderation, she advices. Says Savita, a regular evening walker at the beach road, "I have gone through the ups and downs of the phase. But when I meet women with similar problems during my daily walks, I feel it's a common issue that can be handled quite easily." She has formed her own group of friends who meet in the evenings for half an hour of brisk walk followed by a refreshing cup of coffee.

Apart from regular walks, a regular gym routine not only provides the right kind of exercises to deal with the changes in the body, it is an effective way to socialize as well. "Interaction and association with the younger generation in gyms and pubs helps to boost up the sagging spirits", says Ganga.

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