It opposes cortisol’s action and can act as a shield between the stressed-out feelings cortisol can induce and your nervous system.


Progesterone also helps keep your


waistline trim, along with estrogen. Corti- sol, if left unopposed by progesterone, will strip muscle in the arms and legs and de- posit fat in the middle. This, combined with increased insulin resistance, is a perfect one-two punch to gain belly fat. Not only are women more prone to gain belly fat under this hormonal environ- ment, they also become more sensitive to the effects from stress. They feel it worse. It sticks around longer; they can’t recover from it as well. You may notice things that never bothered you before, and that you are getting forgetful. To help oppose cortisol, soothe the


nervous system and reverse the loss of your waistline, transitioning your movement and exercise routine becomes important. Swap medium intensity/medium duration exercise – which promote an exaggerated cortisol response – for a combination of long, slow movements like walking and a combination of resistance training and sprint or interval style training. Shorter, more intense workouts will release hor- mones like testosterone, human growth hormone (HGH) and IL-10, which blunt the action of cortisol.


3. Testosterone, the progesterone helper Women have testosterone too! In perimenopasue, the body will oft recruit


testosterone to help with some of proges- terone’s duties – like keeping the waist trim. Testosterone can also sharpen the mind and keep your mood up. In post- menopause, testosterone too begins to fall. Lifting weights and incorporating re-


sistance training helps increase testoster- one naturally, where it can help take inches off the waistline and give a mental boost. Resistance training is critical for women, not simply for these hormonal benefits, but also to increase bone density and help balance insulin. Pushing heavy weights around really makes your muscles soak up some sugar, and thus, increase insulin sensitivity.


4. Autonomic nervous system Your autonomic nervous system (ANS)


has two branches – the sympathetic/ “fight or flight” and parasympathetic/ “rest and digest”. Together, they are responsible for bodily functions that are outside of your conscious control – heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, dilation and constric- tion of the arteries and small vessels, diges- tion and more.


In menopause, with the help of un-


checked cortisol, your ANS becomes more irritated and more dominant toward “fight or flight”. In turn, you are less equipped to deal with this more heavily stressed nervous system. As such, it must become your job to


carve time out for self-care and de-stress- ing sessions. Addressing sleep concerns, going for long walks in the woods, taking baths, pampering yourself, structuring time


Maureen Lamont, ANP-C Maureen Lamont, ANP-C is a


www.RobinhoodIntegrativeHealth.com Maureen Lamont, ANP-C


board certified adult nurse practi- tioner. She has 10 years of clinical experience in addition to many years as a nurse. She is passionate about helping people optimize their health and wellness and she is liv- ing one of her dreams here at RIH. She is welcoming new patients! She will be addressing all of the issues commonly dealt with at RIH.


336.768.3335 22 NaturalTriad.com


with loved ones and engaging in activities/ hobbies that fulfill you are non-negotiable steps to take to minimize a frazzled ner- vous system.


5. Enteric nervous system The enteric nervous system (ENS) is the proper name for your Second Brain – the network of nerves that is in your diges- tive tract and monitors and manages all aspects of digestion. With your autonomic nervous system


in sympathetic overdrive, your Second Brain feels these effects exquisitely. In- creased gas and bloating, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, appetite changes, feeling full faster, belching, indigestion, queasiness and worsening symptoms of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) are ex- tremely common in menopause. Thirty percent of women have IBS


symptoms, which means thirty percent of menopausal women have IBS symptoms, too.


With your Second Brain under the


influence of your ANS, motility problems easily show up. This means not just prob- lems pooping, but more reflux and cramp- ing too. You may not produce as much digestive enzymes, leading to belching, gas and bloating. Helping soothe your ANS will also


help soothe your Second Brain and gut. Be sure to sit when you eat and chew your food really well. You may want to con- sider a digestive enzyme with your meals, particularly if you have increased bloating, gas and belching and if you are seeing


Struggling With Feelings of Sadness or Depression?


We are conducting a research study


on how depression affects the heart. Quali- fi ed participants (determined by an inter- view) will receive at least $85 in cash. The research measures the heart’s


activity with sensors on the skin. Part 1 (2 hours at UNCG) involves completing some computer tasks and surveys while wearing a heart monitor. Part 2 involves wearing a portable heart monitor for a day while completing short tablet surveys.


English-speaking adults 18-45 may be eligible. People are NOT eligible if they take an- tidepressants, are pregnant, have diabetes or any heart condition, or take certain other medications.


If interested, call or text (336) 317-5799 or e-mail eddlab@uncg.edu.


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