Do you know what year World Menopause Day started and why? I think you will be surprised. Read on to find out and what this year's theme is.......
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Did you know that World Menopause Day, 18 October, has been around since 1984? Yes, really! Over 40 years ago the World Health Organization and the International Menopause Society decided it was high time we had a special day to raise awareness about menopause. Back then, it probably felt a little like whispering about something we weren’t “supposed” to talk about. Fast forward to today, and look at how far we’ve come – we don’t just have a day, we now celebrate a whole Menopause Awareness Month! That’s what I call progress.
So, what’s this year’s theme? One of my absolute favourites: Lifestyle Medicine.
Lifestyle medicine is all about using everyday choices – what we eat, how we move, how we rest, and how we connect – as powerful tools to support our health. Instead of waiting for a prescription, it’s about prevention, empowerment, and looking after ourselves holistically. And when it comes to menopause, this approach can make a huuuuuge difference.
Think about it: hot flushes, sleep struggles, brain fog, low mood… while there isn’t a magic wand for everyone (for some, HRT can be that wand but it sadly never was for me), simple, sustainable lifestyle changes can be game-changing. It’s not about perfection. It’s about finding what works for you (as I did. It cost me a fortune).
Even if HRT is your magic wand, I would still encourage you to look at this holistically as other lifestyle and daily choices can make it EVEN BETTER!! Woohoooooo.😍
Menopause doesn’t just tap us on the shoulder and say, “Oi, your ‘ormones are shiftin’.” (said in my Southern twang) Oh no, it barges into all areas of our lives – work, relationships, self-confidence, even how we see ourselves in the mirror. That’s why a holistic approach matters soooooo much.
Holistic doesn’t mean complicated. It means seeing yourself as a whole person, not just a bundle of symptoms. It’s about food that fuels you, movement that lifts you, rest that restores you, and connections that fill you up. It’s also about giving yourself permission to slow down, say no, or ask for help when you need it.
Picture this. You’re standing in the supermarket staring at the bread aisle, completely blank on why you’re there. Or you wake up at 3am, throwing the duvet on and off like it’s an Olympic sport. Lose your thread halfway through a conversation with no idea what you were talking about! These are the everyday realities many of us face – and where lifestyle tweaks can really help.
One of the biggest lessons of menopause is that self-care isn’t a “nice to have” – it’s essential. It’s the oxygen mask on the plane (as seems to be the latest saying). You can’t show up for your work, your family, your friends, or even yourself if you’re running on empty.
And no – self-care doesn’t mean booking a five-star spa (though if someone’s offering, I’ll happily pack my bag!). It can be as simple as going for a brisk walk to shake off the brain fog, saying “no” without guilt when you’re already stretched too thin, taking ten minutes to breathe, stretch, or just sit in peace, or swapping the third coffee or glass of wine for a big glass of water (your sleep will thank you!).
These little choices add up. And when you look back, you’ll realise you’ve built yourself a powerful toolkit. That’s lifestyle medicine in action..
So, as we mark World Menopause Day this year, let’s make it more than a date on the calendar. Let’s make it a celebration of how far we’ve come in breaking the taboo, and a reminder that menopause doesn’t have to be something we simply “get through.”
With a little lifestyle medicine, a holistic approach, and a big dose of self-care, menopause can be a time of growth, strength, and even joy. Yes, joy! Because when we look after ourselves, we don’t just survive menopause – we thrive through it.
Here’s to World Menopause Month in October and World Menopause Day on the 18th. To every woman’s journey, and to finding the little lifestyle tweaks that help us feel good every day. You really do deserve this.
✨ Happy World Menopause Month and Day! ✨
Remember, you are awesome.🥰
