Beating the Heat: Managing Menopausal Hot Flashes in Summertime

The sun can be a golden nightmare for menopausal women having hot flashes. While hot flashes are caused by hormonal imbalances, they can be triggered by the humid and sticky weather. It can be tough to enjoy the sunny weather worrying about a sudden hot flash in summertime. If you want to enjoy some rays, read on for four fast tips to beat the heat.

Should I Avoid the Sun Altogether?

Your gut reaction may be to avoid the sun altogether. But you shouldn’t have to sacrifice time in the sun just because of your symptoms. Sunshine helps to boost serotonin levels in the brain, helping to alleviate other mood related menopausal symptoms. Here are four easy ways you can enjoy the nice weather without having to suffer:

Take a Dip

Swimming can be recreational or practiced as a sport. A few laps around the pool will work wonders for your hot flash symptoms; swimming cools you down and gets your entire body moving. Regular exercise combats hot flashes by increasing blood circulation and reducing stress. If your swimming skills are not as strong, participate in water aerobics or rent flotation devices when you want to spend time poolside.

Treat Yourself To Something Cold and Delicious

Hot summer days call for cold treats-ice cream, iced teas and shakes. Be selective when choosing your treat: caffeine and sugar can trigger hot flashes. Order decaffeinated versions of your favorite frozen and iced drinks. Treat yourself to nonfat frozen yogurt, available in dozens of flavors it´s every bit as tasty as its sugary ice cream counterpart.

Arm Yourself With H2O

Having a water bottle in hand is important to ward off hot flashes and other conditions triggered by dehydration. For cool refreshment on the go, be sure to tuck a water bottle in your purse before leaving the house. If you’re beach-bound, carry a cooler to keep your water nice and icy while you’re out in the sun.

Find A Cool Oasis

When you’re worn out from the sun, cool off inside. This doesn’t mean you have stay in the house. Find a special oasis with air conditioning or floor fans where you can relax-a museum, bookstore or shopping plaza are all great choices. You’ll enjoy a few minutes of sun on your way without inducing a flash.

Recommendation:

Hot flashes are a common symptom of menopause, affecting about 75% of all women. The tips listed above are suggestions for how to manage hot flash symptoms. If you want to learn more about treatments for hot flashes - such as lifestyle changes, herbs for menopause or HRT - click the link above.

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