All of us are affected by what happens to us, past and present. Things that happened even many years ago can affect our mental health today, for better or worse. Our genes also have an influence”.³

You may also experience mood changes due to different pressures at this stage of life, such as caring for children and parents.

You might experience:

• Irritability
• Increased anger
• Low mood
• Anxiety
• Depression”

Research suggests that women are more likely to experience depression as they approach menopause.

Women who have a history of depression or premenstrual syndrome (PMS) may be more likely to develop depression during this time”.⁴

Here are some self-care tips:

• Get regular exercise.Just 30 minutes of walking every day can boost your mood and improve your health. Small amounts of exercise add up, so don’t be discouraged if you can’t do 30 minutes at one time
• Eat healthy, regular meals and stay hydrated…
• Make sleep a priority…
• Try a relaxing activity…
• Set goals and priorities…
• Practice gratitude…
• Focus on positivity…
• Stay connected…”.⁵

Self-care looks different for everyone, and it is important to find what you need and enjoy. It may take trial and error to discover what works best for you”.⁵

For example:

• Talk to someone about your feelings, such as a friend, family member, doctor or psychologist
• Take time for yourself and do things you enjoy
• Get quality rest when you can
• Do regular physical activity, especially in a group or with friends
• Ask your doctor about cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)
• Practise relaxation techniques
• Pay attention to your inner voice and practise using positive affirmations”.⁶