For women only: Feeling a little warm?

Last night, as I fought off yet another hot flash, I wondered: Where in the world did these come from now? (Couldn’t sleep, may as well think!)

Well, yes, I know where they come from at the age of 54. But I haven’t had to endure them for a while now. I don’t take prescription HRT — too dangerous, in my opinion. I’m not going to die from a hot flash. Besides that, the idea that we use urine from a pregnant mare seems completely goofy to me. In addition, I love animals, and the torture these kind animals are put through, along with their suffering  offspring, is wrong on every count.

Years ago, I did take bioidentical hormones but then decided I felt that was a bit too risky also, given that I didn’t have really nightmarish symptoms. So I stopped taking them. Then I tried a few over-the-counter items, a couple things from my holistic doc, and I can’t remember what. Sorta/kinda helped but not entirely. (And, yes, I’m my own self-contained testing ground!)

My holistic doc suggested I try a bit of estrogen cream, but, while it was on order, my hot flashes diminished! Enough so that I didn’t feel the need to use it once it came in. And, after that, they pretty much were non-existent.

A few months ago, I’d read that relaxation techniques had helped eliminate or reduce hot flashes for a huge majority of women. But I didn’t really see the proof until last night. As I lay thinking, I realized what has happened:

I’d finally picked up a daily routine of a short meditation each morning. Something I’ve wanted to do for ages, but something that eluded me, the person with a thousand thoughts a minute! When I heard of Japa meditation, though, I had a workable method. I made a 108-bead string and worked my way – a repeated phrase per bead – through each morning. Very calming and grounding.

But, with closing on my new place a few weeks ago and moving (and unpacking and getting in an electrician and ….!), my meditation routine fell apart. Ah hah! I bet that’s it. How simple is that? Meditate for 15-20 minutes per day; no hot flashes. No side effects; no cost; no danger; no risk. I love it!

I may be totally off on this, but I really doubt it. And, once I get a couple weeks of meditation back under my belt, I’ll see what happens, and let you know. I love natural ways of approaching health, and I love even more when it’s proven to me once again that I’m on the right track.

Meditation truly appears to be an amazing solution to a lot of what ails us: from hot flashes to stress to sleepless nights to even managing pain. There are so many ways to meditate: Japa mediation, guided meditation audios, short, long, you name it. It’s well worth it to investigage what appeals to you and what works for you, and give it a try. You have only your health to save.