Dealing with a hectic work schedule and day-to-day responsibilities at home can be challenging enough. Add to that the fact that, as a woman, you’ll eventually get to a point where you’ll enter menopause, and you can begin to understand just how difficult things can get. Trying to tackle your daily tasks while experiencing uncomfortable and oftentimes embarrassing symptoms that come with this natural condition can result in frustration and disrupt your working life.
While there are women who experience some minor menopausal symptoms, others may not be that lucky. In fact, around 10 percent of menopausal women’s careers come to a halt due to the severity of symptoms. While it can be challenging, there are ways to manage menopause in the workplace and make it work. Below, effective tips on managing your menopausal symptoms while at work.
Work on managing your symptoms
The first step towards managing menopause in the workplace is making sure you understand your symptoms and then addressing them accordingly. For instance, if you experience hot flashes, consider dressing in breathable fabrics and wearing layers that you can easily remove. To keep your blood sugar in check, always have a light snack on hand – this can help with mood swings. Also, consider skipping on coffee and rely on some other alternatives to wake you up in the morning.
While at home, do your best to incorporate exercise into your daily routine. Not only is this an effective way to reduce unpleasant symptoms, but it’s also great for your mood, sleep, and overall health. It will also go a long way in helping you improve balance and stability – both of which we tend to lose with age.
Seek medical support
Sometimes, managing your menopausal symptoms will be as simple as changing up your habits and choosing work outfits that accommodate and support you as you go through this major change. Other times, however, you will need to address your condition by seeking the necessary medical support.
When the symptoms become unbearable, it might be a sign that you might need something to ease the transition. In such instances, hormone replacement therapy can be of major help in helping menopausal women to reduce their symptoms. Such therapies help keep menopausal women’s hormones in balance rather than having their hormone levels fluctuate. Given the fact that they come in everything from creams and nasal sprays to pills and patches, you’ll be able to reduce your symptoms conveniently and discreetly.
Ask about possible adjustments at work
Menopausal symptoms can be disruptive to say the least. Other times, they may be downright unbearable. Don’t hesitate to ask for some reasonable modifications in the workplace to help accommodate your condition.
If possible, move your desk next to the window to address those unpleasant hot flashes. Ask the co-workers if it’s okay if you turn down the thermostat for a couple of degrees, or get a desk fan that will help keep you cool. Consider asking for a day off after a restless, sleepless night, and if possible, a more flexible schedule. Finally, address your overwhelming symptoms both at work and in personal life. Having someone to confide in can make it easier to cope with the unpleasantries that follow menopause. It will also provide others with an insight into this condition and its struggles. This will result in deeper understanding while also helping you take some of the pressure off.
Talk openly about your condition
From inability to focus on the task at hand and sudden brain fogs to sleep problems and day-to-day fatigue, menopause can be disruptive to say the least. This can make it quite challenging to be your most productive, engaged self while at work. As a result, you may feel guilty about being unable to give your usual 100%, which only leads to even more frustration.
Truth be told, women’s health issues are considered taboo in many instances. Many workplaces don’t provide the amount of support that menopausal women need during such a difficult period. However, as an employee, your well-being as well as your health matter, so effective management of women going through a menopause is vital. Be more open about what you’re going through rather than keeping everything to yourself. Engage with other menopausal employees, and make your male colleagues a part of the conversation as well.
Effective strategies make for a smoother menopause transition
There’s no doubt that a woman’s work performance can be greatly affected by her menopausal symptoms. However, this is a completely natural condition that every woman is bound to experience sooner or later in life.
As your body is taking its time to adjust to all the newfound changes menopause has you going through, take a step back and identify the best ways to cope with it. In doing so, you’ll make this transition easier while also making sure you stay on top of your daily duties.