I am a few years older than my sister Claire and I do remember being a little more depressed when I was going through menopause. I gained weight and I kind of gave up on myself for a while there. I have to say that I am so happy that is behind me, and I feel strong and healthy now. Hopefully, Claire, this won't go on too much longer. It's a big relief when it's over.
Also I forgot to mention being out in nature. Over the past couple of years, my husband and I have been out hiking a lot, and it really helps the psyche to be out looking at the flora and fauna, learning about it, and being with other people from all walks of life, having this in common. Nature is the great equalizer. You're there, you take it all in, you breathe, you see, hear, smell - and it doesn't matter, for a while anyway, if you are employed, if your kid is in jail, etc. etc.
It also helps to have a close circle of friends. For me, for the past almost three years, it's been a group of about 15 "bingo babes." We meet every Thursday night for bingo, book club, poker and bunco, and hiking on the weekends. I have almost nothing in common with these women in the sense that we all have different socio economic backgrounds, different religions, different ages, different marital status, different educational backgrounds, different talents, interests, etc. But we accept and support each other. It's very theraputic. We only have one rule: "If you don't feel like going, go. That's when you need it the most." Plus they've adopted my mother as their own, which really makes me feel good.
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