Embracing Menopause Positively through Art

The peri menopausal and menopausal transition makes us aware of our changing brain chemistry. And I know this because when I began noticing changes in me, I went in search of answers. I spoke to my Gynac and a few more, did a lot of research into what Homeopathy and Ayurveda had to offer, read books, listened to the available podcasts on menopause and understood a lot of things. One was that there was a lack of awareness and shame associated with the topic. But practicing as a psychotherapist, I was hearing very similar and some new expressions of menopause. Thus began my journey into understanding menopause and spreading awareness.

Essentially what happens is that estrogen, which plays a very important role in a woman’s body begins to dip as we enter peri menopause ( around age 33-35)  and further dips as we near menopausal age ( around age 45-53). This insufficiency of estrogen in our system affects the way our brain responds to us. We would have noticed that we walk into a room and are completely blank as to why we came there. Or we would open the fridge door and forget what we wanted to take out. Yet another scenario is we are given instructions to carry out a task, we even acknowledge it but forget to execute it. Then we argue that the other didn”t even give this task. Sound familiar?

So, why does this happen?

As the hormone estrogen begins dipping, dopamine( the motivator) and serotonin( the mood booster) become elusive. Now what are they? They are neurotransmitters( chemical messengers in the brain). Are you familiar with runner boys in the banking sector? Just as they transport documents or cash to other branches or clients, similarly these neurotransmitters play such a role in our brain. What is within is also without. Microcosm and macrocosm. Puns apart. My clients would frequently tell me ‘I have lost my zing’, ‘I am not myself lately’ or ‘I am always irritated these days’. They were having difficulty understanding why nothing felt good or fulfilling anymore. In such circumstances, I find it beneficial to get them out of their head and do something productive. I suggest engaging in art, craft, cooking, sewing, macrame or even light decluttering. This in turn helps in:

1. Stress( low self esteem, frustration, irritation) reduction:

Engaging in the creative arts and craft can be a super stress buster and upon completion it will induce feelings of accomplishment and thus release dopamine

2. Mood regulation 

Immersing oneself in such activities shifts the focus from over thinking and anxiety to mindful creation, thus inducing a sense of pride on completion which gives rise to the release of serotonin

Your brain has been missing these two neurotransmitters( chemical messengers in the brain) big time as dear estrogen has been on the downward spiral. 

It's all a part of the transitory phase we are moving through. So, if you have been trying to make sense of the why part this is why it is the way it is.

Instead, if we give ourselves up to Art , the brain buzzes with activity, synapses(message transmitters) move electrical(or chemical) language across, eyes move, hands coordinate, memory recalls where you kept the glitter and presto! art has been created.  Now wasn't that beautiful?

                                                                                         

That's precisely how menopause must be treated-beautifully. So stop fretting. Go choose your skill and show yourself and the world that you got this!