Menopause Retreats: The New Approach to Self-Care In Your Midlife, Plus How to Do Them at Home
Share experiences with other women, and learn the best forms of self-care during menopause
Going to the spa or practicing yoga is great when you need to relax. But for women in their midlife, these activities may not be enough. Instead, menopause retreats — a newer wellness option dedicated to self-care and shared experiences — are ideal. The best part? These are completely customizable and can even be done from the comfort of your home. Keep reading to learn why menopause retreats are a welcome new trend and how they can work for you.
What are menopause retreats?
Rather than a regular wellness trip, menopause retreats specifically focus on self-care practices that can help relieve symptoms during this stage of life. “These are spa-inspired experiences meant to help those suffering from menopause symptoms decrease their stress, improve their sleep, and ease some of the physical joint and muscle pain that can accompany the menopause transition,” explains Barbra Hanna, DO, FACOG, NCMP, board-certified OB-GYN and founder of MyMenopauseRx.
Menopause retreats are versatile and customizable. Some may be at a nice resort, others in a host’s home or backyard, or possibly at a beach or local park.
“Any format they take, a menopause retreat done well comes down to women talking to other women: sharing their stories and creating community, but also sharing information and engaging in conversations on best practices to navigate this time of life,” adds Kathleen Jordan, MD, NCMP, Chief Medical Officer at Midi Health.
Why do midlife women find menopause retreats helpful?
Women go through significant changes physically, mentally and emotionally during this time and they must have proper resources available. From hot flashes to night sweats and mood swings, the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause can be brutal. Finding relief in the short or long term in the form of self-care is incredibly important.
“Aging parents, ongoing child care and sometimes layered financial and job responsibilities contribute to poor sleep, high stress levels and just overall not feeling well,” says Dr. Jordan. “Layer on top of that signs and symptoms of hormone depletion which adds physical stressors and you have all the makings of someone who could benefit from a retreat.”
Not only do menopause retreats offer ways to relax, but they also incorporate a sense of community, stronger communication between women and resources that can be passed down to future generations.
Talking about menopause is important, Dr. Jordan adds, as menopause can be a fabulous time of life and it is also a time that self-care becomes increasingly important to both staying well and to feel like your best self.
How can you bring menopause retreat practices home?
Whether you head to a spa or hang out with other women locally, Dr. Hanna points out that aspects like meditation, sound baths, and breathwork are all great tools one can learn at a wellness retreat. “These self-care techniques can easily be incorporated into everyday life and help women find a sense of calm.”
Self-care doesn’t have to be expensive either. You don’t need to attend a fancy hotel or resort to experience the benefits of a menopause retreat. “Menopause symptoms of poor sleep, increased anxiety, heart palpitations, and irritability can be lessened by calming one’s mind,” says Dr. Hanna.
For easy at-home alternatives:
- Try cold showers every once in a while.
- Listen to guided meditations.
- Host support groups.
- Make your own sound bath with different household items.
Menopause retreats shouldn’t replace professional care
Since every woman goes through a different experience during midlife, it’s important to recognize that menopause retreats can be helpful. Still, they’re not a replacement for medicine, doctor’s visits or FDA-approved treatments.
Dr. Hanna notes that self-care doesn’t stop at “over-the-counter remedies or attending spa-like-retreats.” “Self-care includes talking to a menopause-trained doctor to learn about your menopause health changes and any FDA-approved treatments that can help you reclaim your well-being,” she says.
Join in on the menopause conversation:
What Women Over 35 Are Revealing About Their Perimenopause Symptoms and Experiences
This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.
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