Hello beautiful chaos! If menopause has turned your emotions into a wild, unpredictable rollercoaster, welcome to the club. Imagine your feelings as a toddler let loose in a candy store. One minute they’re ecstatic, the next they’re throwing tantrums over nothing, and sometimes they just burst into tears because why not? Yep, that’s menopause mood swings for you.
Why Is My Brain Acting Like This?
Hormones, those sneaky little chemical messengers, are the real puppet masters here. During menopause, estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate and drop. Since these hormones also help regulate neurotransmitters like serotonin, the feel-good chemical, your brain’s emotional thermostat goes haywire.
So instead of feeling like your usual steady self, you might find yourself laughing hysterically one minute, then crying at a cute dog video the next, and maybe even snapping at your partner over pretty much anything.
The Reality of Menopausal Mood Swings
Mood swings can look like:
- Irritability: Everything feels annoying. That sneezing co-worker? Infuriating. The dog barking at 3 am? World’s worst noise.
- Crying spells: Unexpected tears, sometimes for no reason, sometimes because your favourite biscuit broke in half.
- Anxiety: Your mind races with worst-case scenarios, including things like, “Did I leave the oven on?” or “What if I can’t find my phone again?”
- Depression: Feelings of sadness or hopelessness that seem to come out of nowhere.
- Anger: You might surprise yourself with your own volcanic outbursts.
And the kicker? These can come out of nowhere and leave you wondering, “Was that me? Or did my emotions just take a holiday without telling me?”
Anecdote Time!
I once burst into tears because my toast got stuck in the toaster. The smoke alarm went off, my cat freaked out, and I felt like I’d lost my marbles. The thing is, in hindsight, it was just toast. But in the menopausal moment, that toast was an existential crisis.
Or the time I shouted at my partner because he dared to breathe loudly while I was trying to concentrate. Yep, the emotional toddler was running the show, and everyone else just had to duck and cover.
How to Survive the Emotional Rollercoaster
1. Give Yourself Permission to Feel All the Feels
Menopause mood swings can be exhausting, but remember they’re normal. Don’t beat yourself up for feeling like a mess sometimes. It’s hormones, not you.
2. Practice Self-Compassion
Talk to yourself like you’d talk to your best friend. When you’re feeling grumpy or weepy, say, “It’s okay. This is tough, but I’m tougher.”
3. Find Your Calm in the Chaos
Deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or even just a walk outside can help reset your mood. Even five minutes of fresh air can make a difference.
4. Keep a Mood Journal
Writing down what you’re feeling and when can help you spot triggers and patterns. Maybe Mondays at 3 pm are your emotional Bermuda Triangle. Knowing is half the battle.
5. Reach Out
Talk to friends, family, or a therapist who gets it. Sharing what you’re going through can lighten the emotional load and remind you you’re not alone.
6. Exercise
It’s a mood lifter! Endorphins released during exercise are nature’s antidepressants. Even a short daily walk can help.
7. Eat Well
Some foods can stabilize your mood, like leafy greens, nuts, and fatty fish. And yes, chocolate in moderation absolutely counts.
8. Sleep
We know menopause can mess with this, but good sleep hygiene supports emotional health. (Refer to last week’s post if you missed the tips!)
When to Get Extra Help
If mood swings feel overwhelming, persistent, or you notice signs of depression or anxiety that interfere with daily life, chat with your Doctor if you feel you can. There are treatments, including HRT, antidepressants, or therapy, that can make a huge difference.
A Final Laugh
Menopause mood swings might feel like your emotions are playing pinball in a funhouse. But remember, this is a phase, not forever. Like toddlers, these feelings need attention, boundaries, and sometimes just a good nap.
You’re riding this rollercoaster like a champ, even if it feels more like a teeter-totter some days.
Coming up next: We’ll dive into managing memory lapses and brain fog, the “Where did I put my keys?” moments that make you question if you’re losing your mind or just menopausal.
Until then, keep that sense of humour handy and remember you’ve got this.
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Take care, stay safe.
Becks xo
My life and style over 40 