☀️Yesterday I took advantage of a bluebird day in Central Otago, to go for a hill walk with my family.

Part way through, I noticed I was struggling due to overheating…..not a hot flush or sweat, just feeling way too hot and my ability to exercise was hitting a wall. This was despite the air temperature being only 6 degrees!❄️

🚶‍♀️‍➡️Since being menopausal, overheating during exercise is something new I have noticed, and I never knew why until I understood this:

🌡️Thermoregulation is the body’s ability to regulate it’s core temperature and keep it at a steady state. Our normal temperature is between 36.5 and 37.5 degrees Celsius.

Our body does this by taking messages from our core (internal body) and periphery (limbs, head) and sending these to the hypothalamus (part of your brain) which then signals back to the body to “change our settings” to control our temperature. Some body responses include relaxing our blood vessels in the skin (the cause of flushing) allowing more heat loss from the skin, and sweating.

🤒During perimenopause and post menopause, due to brain changes from fluctuating hormone levels, our thermoregulation is affected. This is the reason why many women experience hot flushes, sweats, and over heating during exercise. It’s as though your thermostat is on the blink.

The solution during my walk? I took some layers off, pulled up sleeves and rolled up trouser legs. Soon I felt much better and was able to continue the hill climb with more comfort. Sounds simple, but for me the challenge has been recognising when this happens, what is actually making me feel unwell, and how to manage it to be able to continue exercising.

💡Tip: If you are struggling during exercise, first consider whether you may be overheating. Try to reduce clothing layers, cool (use a fan or cool water on your face or limbs) and hydrate. Then reassess if you feel better and are able to continue.

For more support during your menopause journey:

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🌞If you want more personalised assessment and a plan for managing menopause, or support for making healthy lifestyle changes, reply to this email or book an appointment at www.liferenomedic.com

🗓️WATCH THIS SPACE! Keep your Calendar free on Saturday afternoon, October 11th, as I’m hosting a seminar for women in Alexandra, Central Otago on menopause. We have some great guest speakers on a variety of topics, and a yummy afternoon tea. More details and tickets (limited to 20 spaces) available soon.

Stay happy and healthy!

Erika.

PS: "If you deal with it in a healthy fashion, then I think you come out the other side a better person. I've got so much more energy now than I ever had in my early 50s before the menopause." — Julie Walters