How do you feel when entering menopause? Do you think you can

live with menopause? It seems a woman in menopause faces

physical changes and new emotional realities. Are you also

feeling the same? Do you feel stress and uncertain with what

happen to your body?

Although Eastern and Western disciplines disagree in the

interpretations of stress response and their prescriptions for

how to deal with it, recognition has grown in both disciplines

that body and mind are intertwined, working together – or

against each other.

The Western interpretation is based on research into the

“flight or fight response,” first identified by Dr. Walter

Cannon in the 1930’s. In response to threat, the body’s

sympathetic nervous system goes into action. The adrenal gland

pumps out more epinephrine, which speeds up the heart rate and

constricts blood vessels. The breathing rate increases, and the

blood coagulation system is activated so that blood will clot

more quickly in case of injury. For the earliest ancestors,

these responses gave the body the jump start it needed to flee

from a menacing animal or enemy – or to stand and fight – thus

the label “fight or flight.” Accumulated stress can literally

make you sick.

In Eastern philosophies, practitioners believe that such stress

causes the body to build up certain toxins that must be released

or they will block energy flow throughout the body.

While most of us associate negative stress with harmful body

changes, it’s also possible to “stress out” with too much good

news.

Whatever it is, those both interpretations are related to our

body. Sure you don’t want to get weak body because of stress

while you live with menopause. Therefore here are some

checklists you need to do while you live with menopause:

1. Life has become visibly more complicated. Don't feel that

you have to do everything and do decide what critically needs

to be accomplished. Think about your values and write down

those that really matter to you. What is most important?

Spending time with family? Accumulating great wealth? Achieving

powerful influence? Acquiring possessions? Expressing yourself?

Learning new ideas? Experiencing adventure and travel?

Maintaining excellent health? Socializing with friends?

Contributing to the community? You can't do them all. Cut out

activities that aren't consistent with your core values.

2. Carry a smaller wallet or purse. Start by cleaning out the

one you've got. Get rid of unnecessary credit cards and other

clutter that you don't use regularly.

3. Stop checking up on your financial portfolio every day. Most

people invest for the long term. Checking your results daily

adds to stress and might lead to expensive and unnecessary

changes.

4. Make time for yourself. Set aside time each day to reflect

quietly, go for a walk, plan for your future or meditate. Visit

the park instead of the mall.

5. Cut back on debt. Consolidate your different debts into one

and pay it off. Put your credit cards in a spot where you won't

be able to use them until you're debt-free. Track your expenses

for a month, then cut back your spending on items you don't

need. For instance, pack a lunch rather than buying one at

work. Mix and match your outfits rather than constantly buying

new ones.

6. Consider renting a vacation home rather than buying. You

won't be burdened by time (and money) spent in maintenance.

Also, this allows you to visit a different spot each year.

7. Plan time for a vacation every year. Some people claim "I

haven't had a vacation in three years" as if it was a badge of

courage. It isn't.

8. Cut back on your children's planned activities. If they have

to use a time planner to schedule their activities, and you

spend all of your time taxiing them around, they're probably

too busy.

9. Live closer to your work so you don't have to drive.

10. Take a moment each day to be grateful.