One common side effect of going through menopause is a feeling of depression.  While feeling blue on occasion is nothing to worry about, severe depression can be a serious issue.  If you feel yourself starting to suffer from feelings of depression, there are a few steps you can take to help bring yourself out of this slump before it turns into a serious or potentially life threatening problem.

 

Get Your Body Healthy

 

One of the best ways to fend off depression is to get your body healthy.  Sometimes, feelings of depression are brought on by a lack of energy or proper nutrition.  If you are eating a poor diet that is filled with sugars and fats, it will cause your body to lose energy and will only make your depression worse. 

 

Getting healthy also involves getting regular exercise.  Getting regular exercise will help get the blood and oxygen flowing through your body.  This will also help to bring more energy to your body and will help keep depression at bay.  In addition, many people experience what is known as a “runner’s high” after working out – and you don’t have to run to experience it.  Rather, this “high” is brought on by the boost of adrenaline your body gets when you exercise.

 

The great thing about eating healthy and exercising is that it will also help you with other problems associated with menopause.  For example, it will help keep your bones strong in order to fend off osteoporosis, it will keep your heart healthy, and it will help to prevent diabetes from setting in.

 

Reach Out

 

Some women going through menopause begin to withdrawal from their families and loved ones.  This is generally brought on by feelings of worthlessness or of “getting old.”  Resist the temptation to clam up and reach out to your family instead.  Surrounding yourself by those you love is the best way to keep your spirits high.  If you don’t have any people in your life to reach out to, get a pet. Studies have shown that owning a pet helps to keep people happier and feeling more content.

 

Get Involved

 

Getting involved in community activities will also help fight depression.  If you are starting to feel depression wash over you, you may start to find it difficult to get yourself out of bed or to even leave your house.  Make yourself get up and go out.  By doing so, you won’t allow yourself to fall into the trap of depression. In addition, you will meet new people in the process that will further help you feel good about yourself.

 

Seek Professional Help

 

If you have tried all of these steps and you are still having a difficult time fighting the depression, be sure to see your doctor and discuss the problems you are having.  There are certain medications that your doctor can prescribe in order to help you with your depression.  These medications do have side effects, however, that can worsen some of the other signs of menopause.  Therefore, you need to weigh the pros and cons of taking medication in order to determine if that is the right step for you.