At that difficult age?

As an older therapist/lady, I know from experience of my own and those of my clients at our age that it can be difficult to accept the changes poured on us by nature.
We are constantly bombarded with beauty and fashion heights that very few of us can afford or find it hard to continually focus on to achieve and deal with alongside the wonderful menopause, ageing skin, children leaving home, grandkids needing us and ageing parents. Just when you thought that you’d got to the stage in life when you finally accepted yourself and your idiosyncrasies that make you-you!
Challenging??
You can take up the challenge of this new life change and win.
But first;
• Take care of you
• Time for you planned ahead is not being selfish it is absolutely vital. This time need not necessarily be a day-long spa, it can start with an hour that you can snatch to just be peaceful or do something that refreshes you. Planning time for your partner/spouse/friends. The saying that no man is an island is so true-good health requires us to be in a relationship with ourselves and others.
• Have fun-being all things to those in our lives depletes us, make time to smile, relax and recharge the batteries
• Sleep-I cannot overemphasize the importance of good quality sleep. The evenings have to be less fraught at their very least and include relaxing time at their best. No screen time for at least one hour before sleep time and a herbal drink chosen for helping to induce sleep.
• You appearance-you are beautiful. Don’t compare yourself to others in your circle or in media. Do take time to take care of your appearance, it’s good for you. Relish your uniqueness.
• Love yourself. If you find this difficult at the start then at the end of every day find two positive achievements you have achieved that day and feel good. I remember when our children were small and at the end of some days, I thought that I had achieved nothing but began this practice of finding the positive and it makes me feel better. It may have been that I had got the washing on and out on the line and had made a bed but on days when I felt rubbish it really helped. On rubbish days I still look to my achievements big or small.
• New horizons-never stop learning and dreaming. You can achieve your dreams no matter what your age, so don’t back the ageism horse.
• Finally, it’s called the change of life for good reason-everything changes., your life circumstances, your family responsibilities, your outlook on life, your hormones and therefore your emotions don’t escape.
Be kind-First to yourself.

Majella Farrell RMN, MBRCP. is a mother of four and grandmother to three. She is involved in the care of the parents.
She practices Natural Health Care at Live Well Clinic. With over 35 years of experience in healthcare first as a nurse and then as a Natural Health Care Consultant.
www.livewellclinic.co.uk