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Denise Austin

Menopause in the Summer: Staying Cool, Calm & Confident!

Denise Austin
by Denise Austin | 
 | 
Lifestyle
If you are woman in her 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond, you may be familiar with that dreaded feeling of a hot flash: that flush that comes on suddenly, seemingly igniting your core temperature. You may flush, sweat, or feel uncomfortable. But here's good news: Hot flashes - especially during the summer - can be manageable and minimized! Try the following tips to stay cool and comfortable all season long!


First of all understanding hot flashes can help you manage your expectations. Caused by a drop in estrogen levels, your brain becomes more sensitive to changes in body temperature, and can perceive a normal temperature as too hot. This triggers a cooling response, which includes flushing and sweating. The good news is that hot flashes typically last from 30 seconds to 5 minutes - so you know it will be over soon! Now that you can get your mindset in a positive place, try these stay cool tips:

  1. Avoid triggers. Stress, caffeine and alcohol, spicy foods, and hot beverages can all trigger hot flashes. Try the breathing and yoga exercises in my Vitality For Life: Menopause Strong Program  to help manage stress, and keep the remaining triggers to a minimum - especially during the summer, when warmer weather can also exacerbate hot flashes! You can also keep your room temperature lower in the summer, to promote better rest and minimize night sweats.
  2. Dress for comfort. Tight clothing can trigger hot flashes, so this summer opt for looser garments made of sweat-wicking, breathable material. Linen and cotton are some of my favorites: comfortable and classy! Also be sure to dress in layers - a light cotton, oversized scarf does triple duty as sun protection, warmth when you are indoors in cold AC, and is cute and stylish!
  3. Get moving. Believe it or not, regular workouts can help to regulate hot flashes. Movement helps the body control heat dissipation through sweating and blood flow. Plus that feel-good boost you get when you workout? That is serotonin and dopamine, which can positively impact mood and potentially reduce hot flash frequency! My Vitality For Life: Menopause Strong Program offers daily workouts to keep you moving and grooving all summer long - give it a try!

    At the end of the day a hot flash is temporary, so keep your attitude positive, and try the above to help keep them to a minimum - you are worth it!! And to  get even more menopause insight in, buy my Fit Over 50: The Menopause Issue magazine, available right now! 

    Let's live FIT, HAPPY and HEALTHY - together!!

    Denise