Denise, one of our first facebook followers, shares her journey from embarrassment to liberation relating to the dreaded hot flush at work.
I’m delighted to have been asked to share my thoughts on tackling hot flushes in the workplace, as this has been my biggest challenge so far in coping with the menopause.
I’ve always seemed to work in male dominated companies and been the only female at board level at three different businesses. Sitting in a room of 12 males can itself feel somewhat isolating but throw into the mix a hot flush with a soaring red face and you simply want the ground to swallow you up. As you know hot flushes come and go whenever as well as wherever they want to without warning.
I was so conscious of having a hot flush I started to wear scarfs with everything I wore. I knew the hot flush started from the neck and gradually moved upwards, so I figured if I could hide the neck, throw on extra make-up and blusher so I looked red to start with,
no-one would notice! I started to purchase jumpers I didn’t really like but if they were polo neck – they were mine. I started to plan my wardrobe for the week with the sole focus of covering up to diminish the appearance of my red face.
I gradually changed my style; it didn’t suit me, and I didn’t like what I wore but I felt calmer inside and less worried about the visual redness on my neck and face.
Then one day, I decided to wear what I wanted, I’d had enough of the scarfs and when the hot flush came, I simply laughed it off! I began to talk to friends in a similar position and realised I could actually help myself by changing my diet slightly.
I researched for hours on end all the food you should avoid or reduce during the menopause, such as alcohol, red meat and sugar. There are so many ways to help you cope with the menopause, but acceptance is top of the list for me. I don’t feel embarrassed anymore, I therefore feel somewhat liberated. I’m entering a new chapter of my life now and I’m going to embrace each change with a positive attitude, meditation has also helped me and of course talking about it to my friends.
Sharing your story helps you to remember, you’re not alone.
Comments