Thriving Thru Menopause

This episode of the Thriving Thru Menopause podcast unpacks the connection between menopause, bone density, and holistic health approaches. From understanding the impact of perimenopause on osteoporosis to learning simple yet effective exercises for bone strength, Clarissa and her guest, Helen Davis, offer holistic insights into managing health transitions.

In this episode, Clarissa and Helen discuss osteoporosis and the importance of supporting bone health during menopause.

Helen shares her personal experience with perimenopause and how it led to her diagnosis of osteoporosis. They also explore the limitations of traditional medical advice and the need for individual research and decision-making.

Helen introduces the Bones for Life method based on the Feldenkrais Method and focuses on dynamic movement and postural alignment to improve bone density and strength.

They highlight the benefits of weight-bearing activity and proper alignment for bone health. Improving posture alignment is crucial for overall health, including bone density, breathing, and pelvic floor function. It can also enhance confidence and a sense of possibility.

Poor posture can lead to injuries and negate the benefits of strength training. Simple exercises like aligning the neck and bouncing on heels can make a significant difference. Walking every day and incorporating bouncing exercises into daily routines are key habits for supporting bone health.

Helen Davis offers an Introduction to Bones for Life course, providing an opportunity to explore this practice at one's own pace.

Takeaways

Perimenopause symptoms can be overlooked or misdiagnosed, leading to delayed treatment and potential health issues.

Individual research and decision-making are important when considering treatment options for osteoporosis.

The Bones for Life method, based on the Feldenkrais Method, focuses on dynamic movement and postural alignment to improve bone density and strength.

Weight-bearing activity and proper alignment are key factors in maintaining bone health.

Cultural practices like those found in Africa and Asia that involve carrying weight on the head and jumping may contribute to stronger bones. Posture alignment is essential for overall health and can impact bone density, breathing, and pelvic floor function.

Poor posture can lead to injuries and negate the benefits of strength training.

Simple exercises like aligning the neck and bouncing on heels can improve posture and support bone health.

Walking every day and incorporating bouncing exercises into daily routines are effective habits for maintaining bone health.

Helen Davis offers an Introduction to Bones for Life course on her website, providing a self-study option for learning and practicing this approach.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Perimenopause Story

03:42 Diagnosis of Osteoporosis and Emotional Response

11:34 Introduction to Bones for Life Method

15:31 Learning from Cultural Practices

27:19 How Poor Posture Can Negate Strength Training Benefits

28:39 Simple Exercises for Better Posture

36:32 Walking and Bouncing for Bone Health

43:48 Introduction to Bones for Life Course

Helen Davis offers an Introduction to Bones for Life course on her website, allowing one to explore this practice at one's own pace. https://onestepforward.today/ https://www.instagram.com/onestepforward.today/ https://www.facebook.com/onestepforward.hypnotherapy/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-davis-onestepforward/

Clarissa Kristjansson https://clarissakristjansson.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thrivingthrumenopause

Get your copy of my new book Beyond Hormones: 7 Holistic Ways to Thrive Thru Menopause https://bit.ly/49XBI1a

Over 50 and want to become a successful entrepreneur. Whether you are retiring, got booted out or are just over it. My guest is Colleen Kochannek of the Scrappy Frontier as she shares her journey from redundancy to becoming a laptop entrepreneur. Her mission is to help women 50+ to do the same WITHOUT the tech and social media overwhelm.

Fact: Women over 50 are twice as likely to build a successful sustainable online business than someone under 30. They just need the right support.

In this conversation we cover:

Why if we've made it to 50 we have decades of experience that can be turned into value for others

How to avoid the newbie mistakes that are all too common

Why as digital immigrants (not natives) we need a better way free from jargon and a gazillion tools to get started

How we can get over a fear of technology, which is often holding us back

How our businesses can fit our lifestyle not the other way around

You can connect with Colleen at Scrappy Frontier

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You can read my NEW weekly newsletter over on SubStack

This week my guest is Rachel Lankester. Founder of Magnificent Midlife. She has released her first book Magnificent Midlife Transform Your Middle Years, Menopause and Beyond

In our conversation, we unpack the issues with the accepted status quo and negative stereotypes associated with women’s midlife, menopause and ageing.

And focus on the possibilities inherent in this transformational time in a woman’s life. And why far from being the end menopause is an exciting catalyst for a more fulfilling next chapter in our lives.

Ebook and audiobook (narrated by Rachel) can be bought directly from the author. Paperback from Amazon and other major bookstores such as Waterstones.

You can read a full transcript of the interview over on Listen Notes

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/thriving-thru-menopause/exclusive-content

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and maybe leave a review on iTunes Thank you!

Welcome 1.32

Why 2020 has forced us to slow down and pay attention to what’s most important 2.36

What is brain fog? And why does it happen in menopause? 6.32

Should women be concerned that they have early dementia or Alzheimers? 7:22

The importance of approaching menopause and symptoms calmly 14.20

Why therapy is an important consideration for anxiety or other mental health issues 19.56

Training the brain with Neurotherapy to help with menopausal anxiety and brain fog 23.00

Mindfulness and why when you\re calmer you can think more clearly 27.51

‘ As women, we leave ourselves for last, we put ourselves on the back burner’28.22

‘And any activity can be made into a mindful activity, as long as you're fully engaged in it, and your focus on just that thing’ 33.10

With meditation, it just takes the consistency that is what is most important 34.12

So having a positive mindset will take you so far in life, but especially during menopause. 35.23

Welcome 1.32

‘The lack of intrinsic information is what has astounded me the most over the years,’ 5.15

‘The symptom that caused me the most challenge to my confidence was being so edgy. And some people would say, b****y, um, that I couldn't predict how I would react’.7.59

And if you're naturally a control freak, then losing control. Having that control just you wake up and realize it's gone, is very unsettling 12.36

‘I finally understood why women end up in the emergency room looking panicked. Because I had to catch myself from not being panicky that not only had I bled so heavily that I soiled my clothes that as I'm in the bathroom, I am pouring blood out of my body uncontrollably’ 13.20

And I have plenty of former patients that work for Walmart, we could have a whole discussion about what it's like, as an hourly worker in an evening or night shift at a supplier. And the lack of breaks the type of hard work, we don't appreciate how much physically hard work how many women are in physically demanding jobs, 22.58

‘We are where we are as women for three different reasons. Blood banking, antibiotics, and pap smears’. 29.56

‘We also have to be willing to acknowledge that hormonal changes are real. They're not a sign of weakness’ 35.16

Not everybody will find menopause a difficult transition. It's not a disease, I emphasize that I tell all my patients that it's not a disease, it's a timeframe of change in our lives, from a high hormone environment, back down to a low hormone environment 36.57

‘That's the anti-aging push. that pushes the notion of just get your hormone levels up, and it'll be fine’.39.49

‘And then we're like, okay, here, here's a script and you walk out the door. 10-minute visit, we're failing, our healthcare system is failing us. And we've got to do better’.44.43

Dr. Donna’s 3 takeaways for you:57.22
1. This is a life stage is not a disease, you're not broken. It's very common. So don't be afraid of it. But don't ignore it as though you're too weak or you're not doing the right things.

2. Get information, get help. And a lot of times you're going to be rebuffed. That's probably the hardest part. Keep going to the next person. So you get somebody that's listening.
3. It's a stage in life. It's a developmental stage. And it will not last forever. And there are definite things you can do to feel better soon.