Post Menopausal Zest
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What’s the buzz all about.
I recently had a conversation with someone and they got all excited and started to go on about a phenomenon they’d come across called post menopausal zest (ironically it was a male friend). At first I thought he was pulling my leg, being sarcastic or talking about some new cocktail craze. However, he was being serious and yes it is a real term.
Morning dewdrops and renewal for a new day. (EXIF data f8, 1/320s, 105mm, ISO400)
It was first coined by anthropologist Margaret Mead to describe the apparent increase in physical and psychological energy that can come after menopause. Mead started using this phrase in the 1950’s and we’re now talking some 75 years later and the term seems to have experienced a resurgence. Mead originally coined the term to indicate the time in a woman’s life when child bearing/rearing activities are finished and usually there is time and space for more self focused activities - opportunity to pursue self interests or learn and grow. It is also a time when hormone levels are usually levelling out again and becoming more stable.
Mead stated that this is often a time in a woman’s life when there is a renewed sense of purpose, increased creativity and a more positive outlook on life.
Interestingly the research backs up Mead’s statements and as older women we are entering our most rewarding and productive years. That made me feel pretty good and I can attest to the fact that I feel a definite increase in my curiosity and zest for learning post menopause.
Is it a real thing?
I feel like I’m always asking this question - I hear about something and the first thing I do is question its authenticity - in some ways it’s a bit sad that this is where my brain goes first. However, it does help me to understand things better and there are a number of reasons why post menopausal zest occurs:
Hormonal changes - over time (or with HRT - hormone replacement therapy or more currently termed Menopausal Hormone Therapy - MHT) a woman’s hormone levels become more stable again. It’s a bit like going through a second puberty with the hormones taking over and flooding the brain and body with all sorts of uncontrollable responses (I hated it the first time during puberty and the second time during menopause was no cake walk for me either).
Time passes as quickly as this clock ages. (iPhone image)
Time constraints - limited time tends to be less of an issue with post menopausal women as many are empty nesters and careers are winding down as we enter retirement. This allows time to focus on ourselves with self care and pursuing new activities being at the forefront.
Stress levels - this is a time when a lot of the pressures and stresses of life are lessened (e.g., career, child bearing and rearing etc.). I’m not suggesting we are stress free after menopause, however with more time and less hormonal interference we can often feel a significant shift in our stress level or our response to life’s stresses.
A British Psychological Society study found an increase in wellbeing (both physical and mental for women in their 60’s versus those several decades younger. Hormones level out which often triggers cognitive function and memory improvement as brain fog also lifts. The incidence of depression in women has also been found to decrease after menopause - women experience less anxiety and more serenity or calmness at this time of life while also having more drive and motivation.
I wonder if this race car got stuck at the starting line from over-revving the engine. (EXIF data f7/1, 1/400s, 105mm, ISO1250)
I know that I have felt a definite shift in my emotional state since becoming post menopausal. My reaction to stressful situations has become less reactive and I find myself slowing down my responses as well. I tend to pause before responding to really understand what is happening and why I’m feeling the way I am. This has led to more thoughtful responses and less wear and tear on my body as I don’t go through those ups and downs of heightened emotions as much - yes I am a fixer and my go to response is to jump into fix it mode - review all options and come up with a plan of attack whether I’m asked to or not. This leads to a lot of false starts and a bit like a race car - engine revving and acceleration only to slam on the brakes when I realize this isn’t the response that is desired or wanted.
Menopause
For me menopause was not a fun experience and in fact I’m still working through some symptoms some 10 years later. As most women experience hot flashes - I did too, but at a frequency that made it so uncomfortable during my workday. One moment I’d be fine and then suddenly my face would turn red and I felt like the furnace had gone into overdrive. My coworkers could tell when I was experiencing one and it made for some interesting meeting conversations.
I also experienced night sweats and the first one I had was so extreme that I woke up thinking I’d wet the bed - no one ever told me that night sweats in the groin area were a menopausal thing! Additionally there was the mental fog and forgetfulness which irritated me beyond measure. Mood swings, insomnia, weight gain and even extended periods of heartburn which I’ve never had before in my life - not fun at all. My body’s reaction to changing hormone levels felt like an all out attack on my well ordered life.
This is what brain fog feels like to me - elusive foggy conditions where details are just beyond my grasp. (EXIF data f4, 1/400s, 120mm, ISO64
It took me quite a while to figure out what worked well for me to manage these symptoms and even reverse some of their effects. Working with my doctor through this time was crucial to understand my options and figure out what was caused by hormone fluctuations and what wasn’t.
I found that being active and changing the way I ate was a great approach to manage a lot of my symptoms such as insomnia, belly fat and foggy brain - those feel good vibes really help to counteract the menopausal challenges. I also found that breath work and meditation were very helpful - especially with the mood swings. When I was having strong symptoms these habits helped me to focus attention away from them and get back to a more regulated place.
I also made the decision to use Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) and while I know this isn’t appropriate for everyone, it certainly has worked for me. In addition there is a lot of new research suggesting much broader health benefits from MHT and I would encourage anyone approaching or going through menopause to consult with your doctor and get fully informed to make the best decisions for you.
People who eat at least 1.2–1.6 grams of protein for every kilogram of ideal body weight have less belly fat, more muscle, and lower fragility scores (based on functional strength measures—grip strength, getting up off the floor, etc.) than people who eat less. (Mary Claire Haver - The New Menopause)
Psychological Strengths
I have also read that many women feel an increased sense of empowerment - as though they now have a stronger sense of themselves and an increased confidence to speak up and be heard. I personally have not felt this shift since becoming post menopausal, however that may be because that isn’t something I’ve felt challenged with - I have felt supported and welcomed to speak out over the years. I personally feel that we all have something important to say no matter our age and I often encourage young people I encounter to speak up as well as more mature folks - I think that as a society we are too prone to consider the young to middle ages as being the most relevant of opinions. Part of my seeking to be less rigid includes trying to understand fresh perspectives that come from current ideas and experiences - that means not thinking that the world stops finding new things because I’m not as actively engaged in them.
Jump rope has become one of my work out resources for cardio. (EXIF data - iPhone image)
A number of sources from around the world have reported - women feeling improved mood, more patience, less tension and less withdrawn as they enter their 60’s and 70’s. Many women find that this is a time of their life when they get to explore new interests - new careers, new relationships or new places to travel as well as new self care practices.
My strength training class is a great source of inspiration for me - we are a group of retired women who challenge each other to push our boundaries of our strength limits - there is so much cheering and accolades when one of us achieves a personal best. This sort of camaraderie really makes a big difference in tackling an activity that has not been well promoted for mature women in the past.
I have also been challenged to try new things like jumping rope and even skipping drills (and I mean actual skipping with no rope or other equipment) which has been fun and entertaining (sometimes not just for those watching me!).
It’s great to have this new source of support and friendship as I tackle my strength goals.
Embracing the Zest
I think that there is a lot of truth in the idea of post menopausal zest, however I am a bit sad that we need to wait until this point in our lives to really embrace the ideas of self exploration and growth. I often see my younger friends who struggle with the stresses of juggling careers, families, health issues and the need for down time - I would love to reach over and help them unplug, but I know that I would not have appreciated someone doing that for me when I was in the thick of it.
Have you or someone you know experienced Post Menopausal Zest? Do you think it’s a real thing? I’d love to hear your thoughts either in the comments below or reach out to me directly through the Connect With Me button.
Pieces of glacial ice in the ebb and flow of tidal waves. (EXIF data f18, 2/5s, 24mm, ISO100)
I hope you’ll come back soon, share a cuppa, relax and enjoy more of my musings.
