Exercise during menopause is like investing in a bar of chocolate that will strengthen and protect when it is most needed. While the process may be relatively smoother than a man’s transition into a different phase, postmenopausal women experience various symptoms, including hot flashes, mood swings, weight gain, and decreased bone density. Of course, all these changes can be rather exhausting, but physical exercise is the most organic way of coping with the majority of these signs.
Exercise During Menopause: Key Benefits
Check Out Do Indians Need Fibre Supplements? Examining Dietary Needs
As observed before, during the menopausal period, hormonal changes occur in the body, including low levels of estrogen. This can present some problems, such as, loss of muscle mass and reduction of metabolic rate and increased vulnerability to diseases, including osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases. The good news that one can derive from the above-discussed research is that many of the problems can be offset through exercise. Physical activity is also a great advocate against stress, which is beneficial during menopause as women experience mood swings and anxiety more often.
Importance of Exercise During Menopause
The changes that occur in the hormones include a reduction in estrogen levels in the body. These changes can include a slower metabolism, loss of muscle and bone mass, and higher risks for what can be termed ‘lifestyle diseases’ such as Osteoporosis and heart diseases. There is a decrease in metabolic rate. It is difficult to control body weight, hence the importance of regular exercise.
The advantages of exercising during the process of menopause do not only concern physical well-being. Anybody knows exercise has a positive effect on mood, can reduce anxiety, and has a greatly beneficial role in stress management. It also enhances sleep, which may be affected by the some of the symptoms of menopause including night perspiration and sleeplessness.
1. Aerobic Exercise
Walking is a suitable choice and can be performed in various settings, such as natural, indoor, or confined spaces, which makes it convenient. Jogging or running is more intensive and more beneficial to the overall health of a person, particularly in relation to the cardiovascular system and in the process of slimming. Exercise during menopause that allows a non-threatening workout of the full body; swimming enables the strengthening of muscles and improves the cardiovascular system without any strain on the joints. Weight training and exercises with resistance bands are also very useful in countering muscle wasting and thereby enhancing the strength of muscles. Push-ups and squats also incorporate body weight and thus can also be used to build strength.
2. Exercises for Flexibility and Balance
There is a strong need for both work flexibility and attention to the work-life balance. Yoga and Pilates are two forms of exercise that can help people increase flexibility, balance, and strength while reducing stress. Yoga comprises numerous moves that enhance flexibility and manage stress; on the other hand, Pilates exercises are more on the abdominal muscle and the posture of the body. Flexing exercises can also support these practices because they help avoid muscle tightness and conserve flexibility.
3. High-Intensity Interval Training
HIIT is also equally effective when incorporated into a workout regime. HIIT consists of performing short sets of maximal effort, followed by intervals of rest; this method is efficient in improving the cardiovascular system, and the processes of metabolism and exercise during menopause can help you.
That is why exercise during menopause can dramatically influence one’s experience of the new state and the ways they cope with it. If walking, strength training and yoga are integrated, it’s possible to knock out multiple symptoms related to menopause to improve the quality of life. Regardless of the type of exercise that one prefers fierce exercises or moderate exercise, exercising is beneficial to the body and your mood. And remember that the type or kind of exercise is critical to maintaining the activities that you like. Cherish exercise during menopause for health and regain control of your health with enthusiasm and strength.
To get more of our exclusive content on Health Care and Lifestyle. Follow us on YouTube and Instagram.