Researchers from Temple University took a look at stress and physical activity in women before, during, and after menopause. You probably won’t be surprised to find out that an active, healthy lifestyle can lower your stress levels. You might be surprised to know that an active, healthy lifestyle can also help ease the transition into menopause!
A team from Temple University studied nearly four hundred women for a period of eight years. The study began when the women were premenopausal; the average age of participants was forty-two. Participants were asked to report physical and emotional symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes, stress, anxiety, depression, night sweats, and more. They also tracked physical activity — everything from a vigorous workout to walking a few blocks.
By the end of the study, approximately one-fifth of the participants had reached menopause — they hadn’t had a period for more than a year. Another one-fifth was close to full menopause.
- The most physically active women walked for an hour and a half five days of the week.
- The moderately active women walked for about forty minutes five days per week.
- The least active women walked for about fifteen minutes five days per week.
Physically active women reported less stress throughout the study. Women in the two most active groups experienced less stress than those who were barely active at all. After menopause, physically active women reported less anxiety and depression, too.
The bottom line? If you already are active, great! Keep it up. If you aren’t active, not is a good time to start. Maintaining or increasing physical activity as you transition into menopause can reduce menopause symptoms like anxiety, stress, and depression.
Unfortunately, physical activity doesn’t seem to reduce physical symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. But there are other alternatives for alleviating physical symptoms of menopause!