If you’ve ever been in a household with menopausal women during the holidays, you know that it can be a bit…intense. Whether it’s you, your mother, aunt, grandmother, or other female family members, the combination of holiday stress and menopause symptoms can make for an interesting experience. Especially when said female is cooking dinner.

So what can you expect when it comes to menopause at Christmas?

Cooking the Christmas dinner is one of the most stressful tasks in any household during the holiday season. And when there are menopausal women in the house, it can turn into an even more chaotic situation!

Everyone has their opinion on how it should be done—from the way you should prepare the turkey to how much gravy is too much gravy. So when Auntie Betty starts getting involved in matters that don’t concern her (and giving out unsolicited advice), chances are your patience will start wearing thin.  It all adds to the tension in the air and is enough to make anyone feel overwhelmed by all the preparations, never mind when hormones have come out to play too.

But don’t let your temper get too out of control and spoil it for yourself, it is Christmas after all.  Instead of letting yourself get overwhelmed by family drama or menopausal symptoms, take a break and go for a walk or take some time for yourself. You could also try using natural remedies for hot flashes such as drinking chamomile tea or taking magnesium supplements – anything that helps you relax and keep cool during this busy festive season. 

Let’s face it, cooking up a feast for multiple people isn’t always fun. But why not try turning on some festive tunes while you work? Singing along with your favourite songs can help ease any stress or tension you may be feeling and make prepping dinner much more enjoyable. Plus, if there are other family members in the house helping out (or just getting in your way), playing music together could be a great way to bond over something fun that everyone enjoys! 

How To Make The Most Of Menopause At Christmas

Don’t worry – there are ways to manage menopause at Christmastime so you can still enjoy your family meal with everyone else. The key is knowing how to take control over your symptoms so you can focus on creating delicious meals for everyone else instead of stressing out over them yourself! Here are some tips:

Cool Down Your Kitchen

You might find yourself sweating through your clothes faster than Santa can make his rounds on Christmas Eve. That’s why it’s important to stay cool during the cooking process. Make sure to keep a fan nearby or open a window.   Keep your oven door closed as much as possible as this will help keep excess heat from building up in your kitchen. Also try to wear light layers so that you can quickly adjust if you start feeling overheated or uncomfortable. And don’t forget to drink plenty of water throughout the day, it’s an easy way to keep your body temperature regulated.

Mood Swings

Menopause can bring about mood swings and feelings of depression at anytime but especially during this time of year. To combat these emotions, try taking some time for yourself every day. This could be anything from meditating for five minutes before bedtime or going on a walk after dinner. Doing something just for yourself even if it’s only once in awhile can help give you a sense of peace and contentment during this hectic season.

Take Breaks

When the pressure is on to get dinner on the table, it can be easy to forget about taking care of yourself first. Sitting down for just five minutes every hour can make all the difference in your ability to stay focused and productive as you prepare for Christmas dinner.  Whether you need a few moments outside to calm down or just want to take five minutes away from all the fussing around in the kitchen; taking regular breaks throughout your day will help keep your stress levels low.

Plan Ahead

I cannot emphasise this enough, planning ahead is essential when it comes to surviving Christmas dinner with a menopausal woman in the kitchen.  Figure out what dishes you’re going to make ahead of time and write out an organised list of ingredients for each one. Doing this will help minimise stress levels and also ensure that everything gets cooked on time (and without any extra trips to the grocery store).

Ask for help

Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks if needed or ask other family members for assistance when prepping dishes; they may be more than happy to lend a hand & it means that you get some much-needed rest too.

Eat healthy foods

Eating healthier foods like fruits and vegetables will help boost energy levels while also keeping hunger pangs away – meaning less stress when preparing meals as well as fewer snacking urges while cooking. Yes, yes, I know this is harder said than done at Christmas with the typical “oh, let’s have another chocolate” mindset on the prowl.

So in conclusion, Christmas is an exciting time of year but it can also be incredibly stressful – especially if you’re dealing with the hormonal changes that come along with menopause.  Taking breaks away from the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations and lot’s of deep breaths are just two tips for managing your mood swings this holiday season.   With enough patience, planning and care you’ll be able create delicious dishes everyone will love without having too much stress along the way.  By taking care of yourself first (with regular breaks and lots of water), cooling down your kitchen with an air conditioner or fan, and don’t forget to add some festive music into the mix.

And remember – stay calm, stay positive, and enjoy this special time of year.  And if all else fails, just order takeaway and call it a night!

Merry Christmas everyone

Much love xx