No resolutions? Why?! Simply put—if I want to do something for me, then I do it. Please don’t let a specific date (or person/magazine/website) make you feel as though you should be doing anything! Wishing everyone a positive, healthy and happy start to the new roaring twenties, and if it doesn’t start well, there’ll ALWAYS be another day on the other side (and people will always listen if you need to talk).
I want to thank you all for following me and for reading my blog for however long you have been with me.
This year I have lots of things planned for you including lots of new simple free exercises to do at home first below! However, if you want something more personal why don’t you join me for a 6 week course in Balham?
Menopause six-week exercise course starting today!
This will take place at ReCentre in Balham every Thursday and will run for six weeks. Each session will begin at 6pm and last an hour. I will be covering exercise that will help you with your symptoms. Join me for some general fun and a great feel-good hour! BOOK COURSE HERE https://recentre-health.co.uk/workshops-and-events/
My menopause tool box
Life during menopause is certainly a journey and I am so blessed that I have a fully stocked menopause toolbox from which to pull certain tools as and when I need them. I’ve had a rough time of it, both life and menopause, but I feel that as a trainer and coach this helps me to help you.
I take if for granted that many of you know my story and know how to manage your symptoms, so I sometimes go off track and talk JUST about exercise. Exercise and good lifestyle choices are important, but I would like to share some of my other tools with you.
1.Firstly, try not to look at every website and social media account and feel overwhelmed and a failure if you are not able to do everything that is on offer.
2.Remember that your menopause journey is different to that of anyone else—we are genetically different to one another.
3. List your symptoms and see if you can manage these individually, for example: feeling low; tired; painful joints; dry vagina; low libido; hot flushes or night sweats… Prioritise what affects you the most and see if you can try and tackle them with either medication or lifestyle changes. (See my blog re coping here https://menoandme.com/2019/10/29/anxiety-self-care-during-menopause/
4. Talk, talk, and talk. There really is merit in the old saying, ‘A trouble shared is a trouble halved’. Do your family know how you are feeling? Mine didn’t, and they were mortified when they did realise.
5. Make one positive change per week. Setting unrealistic goals is a killer—especially this time of year! Go for a ten-minute walk, try one new exercise (suggestion below!) Try a new recipe/food or cut out something bad. Just that one thing will become a habit over time.
I have a few things planned for this year but mainly more specific exercise videos for you. If you have any questions do shout them over as it helps me with content and I can share either on here or on my social media. PLEASE WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twOILSDzrCA&t=13s
SKYPE
I receive many messages via social media and do offer as much advice as possible, but people have varying conditions and medical histories, so it is not always possible to use this method. I charge £75 per session and these can either be in the form of talking coaching or physical exercise. If you would like to book a session, then please email me at [email protected].
I will send over a symptom checker and health form and we can take it from there.
Studio sessions
I also have a studio in London Bridge www.fitnessforeverybody.co.uk where I offer thirty or sixty minute sessions. You can book online for these.
Menopause in the workplace
I have talked publicly for many years on wellness and now menopause and wellness have intertwined. My clients to date for menopause at work include: Nightingale Nursing Home; Northamptonshire Police; Devon Police; CBRE and the Crown Prosecution Service. If you feel your organisation would benefit from either a workshop for women or training for managers then please email me at [email protected].
More information
Women over the age of 50 are the fastest growing portion of the UK workforce, and most of these will go through the menopause during their working lives. Yet, the topic within most workforces remains a taboo. As a result, many women experiencing menopausal symptoms go unsupported and therefore struggle to bring their best selves to work. CIPD research found that 59% of women experiencing menopausal symptoms said it had a negative impact on their work.
To help ensure women get the right support when going through the menopause transition, necessary public policy measures need to be put in place. That is why this week, in line with International Menopause Day (19 October), the CIPD launched its manifesto for menopause at work at the Houses of Parliament. The event, hosted by Rachel Maclean MP, also heard from Carolyn Harris MP (both prominent menopause advocates), Janet Trowse, Network Rail, and Rachel Suff and Claire McCartney, public policy advisers at the CIPD
Rachel Maclean MP opened discussions by welcoming the increasing attention being given to the menopause across the media. However, she stressed that more needs to be done from a public policy point of view: ‘menopause is a neglected area of public policy. Policymakers must ensure menopause is a priority issue across departments and work with organisations like the CIPD to break this ultimate taboo.’
Keeping the conversation going about the menopause at work is essential. Janet Trowse, who created a menopause policy at Network Rail, urged attendees to talk about this issue with colleagues. Normalizing menopause as a topic of conversation will help to break the taboo within workplaces. This will also help lead to open and inclusive cultures in organisations, which are essential to helping those going through the menopause to get the support they need.
A public policy imperative: What the CIPD is calling for
Supporting women through the menopause transition strikes at the heart of a number of key public policy issues – including employee health and well-being, gender equality and workplace inclusion.
Rachel Suff and Claire McCartney outlined the CIPD’s three menopause policy calls to government:
1. The Government should ensure that menopause is referenced as a priority issue in its public policy agenda on work, diversity and inclusion
We are calling on the Government to consider menopause when scoping out the implications of public policy and make this explicit in their policy papers. Menopause has been largely neglected as an economic, workplace and diversity and inclusion issue throughout recent government strategies and policy papers. The Modern Industrial Strategy, Fuller Working Lives Strategy, Ageing Grand Challenge, and Improving Lives Strategy all address key economic challenges such as keeping people in work for longer, reducing the gender pay gap, and employee health and well-being – yet none mention the menopause.
2. The Government should nominate a Menopause Ambassador to represent the interests of women experiencing menopause transition across Government departments
To reinforce the first recommendation, we are calling on the Government to appoint a Menopause Ambassador who can work across Government departments such as GEO, BEIS, DWP and DHSC. This ambassador will ensure departments are joined up and considering the implications of public policy on women experiencing menopause transition.
3. The Government should support an employer-led campaign to raise awareness of the menopause as a workplace issue
To improve the experience of women experiencing the menopause at work, the Government should publicly support an employer-led campaign to raise awareness of the menopause as a workplace issue. The campaign should be supported by professional bodies, trade unions and employer groups. It will focus on improving workplace and people management practices such as flexible working, line management and health and well-being at work policies. This will help to keep women in work for longer, reduce the gender pay gap, erase some of the stigma surrounding the menopause and improve productivity.
CIPD resources for people professionals
The CIPD has produced a range of free downloadable and printable resources to help both people professionals and line managers develop menopause-friendly workplaces. This include guidance, practical tips, posters and leaflets. See full report and information here https://www.cipd.co.uk/news-views/news-articles/manifesto-menopause-work