The Rollercoaster of Ageing; Love Yourself Again

Not been feeling like yourself for days, weeks or maybe even months? Feeling tired, a bit foggy-headed? Not feeling much love for yourself? Run down for no reason? Even a bit of flu-like symptoms? And you’re bloated to the point your jeans just don’t fit like they used to? Getting up in the morning is hard work. Don’t worry you’re not the only one. Ever notice the important women in your life just all of a sudden seem down, slow down seem less vibrant? There is a change, but you just can’t put your finger on what’s going on, but no one wants to talk about it, why when this affects over 15.5 million of this country’s women? but also, don’t forget, it effects the men in their lives as well as kids and friends. Find out more in The Rollercoaster of Ageing; Love Yourself Again

Image courtesy of ESPA

The M word; yeah, that affects you even if you are not a ‘woman of a certain age’. One of the least talked about subjects yet it affects so many people.

Menopause. Just saying the word can evoke a sense of apprehension. It’s like this unspoken spectre lurking in the shadows, waiting to pounce. But little do you know; menopause is a journey that extends beyond the individual; it impacts everyone.

Your mother, who raised you with endless love and unwavering strength. Your sister, your trusted companion of childhood. A wife, your partner in every adventure, whose smile lights up your world on the dark days. Friends, the pillars of support who have stood by you through thick and thin. These women, these warriors, are not immune to the effects of menopause.

We may well be aware of the rollercoaster of ageing that brings its own unique experiences for both men and women. For men, it might mean developing a bit of a round belly, thanks to changes in metabolism and hormonal shifts. It’s like our bodies decide to store souvenirs from our younger days right around the midsection.

Meanwhile, women go through the adventure of menopause, where hormonal imbalances lead to some unexpected symptoms and surprises. It’s like a spiral of hot flashes, mood swings, and yes, a tendency to gain weight in certain areas. The little bit of self-care they have built up over years of looking after others before themselves seems to dwindle. Menopause isn’t just about the hot flashes and mood swings or even brain fog. It’s a transformative experience that reshapes bodies, minds, and relationships.

Image courtesy of ESPA

Did we ever think? Amidst hushed whispers and uneasy feelings, lies a profound reality. There’s a sort of beauty in the menopausal journey. It’s the silent struggle of sleepless nights and fluctuating emotions. The quiet resilience of facing physical changes and grappling with identity shifts.

It’s the bittersweet realisation of saying goodbye to fertility while embracing newfound wisdom and freedom. A testament to the resilience of the human spirit, a celebration of the feminine essence in all its complexity. It’s a reminder that age is not a barrier to growth, that every stage of life brings its own challenges and triumphs and that our bodies seem to have a sense of humour as we navigate these new chapters of life.

Because in the end, menopause is not just a word, it’s a shared experience that unites us all in empathy, understanding, and love.

Do we really understand what it actually is? How long does it last? What is happening? For each and every woman who goes through this important life step will have a different experience some sail through others get caught in a lot of extreme change. When do we as women get back to some ME time and some self-love and care?

Battling up 48 different signs and symptoms such as; changes to your period, mental health symptoms and physical symptoms. More information on the symptoms of menopause can be found on the NHS Choices website.

Breaking down the key stages helps a little to understand at least some of what is happening.

Premenopause

• The time before any menopausal symptoms occur
• Periods still occurring

Perimenopause

• The time you are nearing menopause
• Beginning to experience symptoms of hormonal changes
• Period can be regular or irregular so can still become pregnant
• Last approx. 4 years

Menopause

• The time you experience symptoms such as mood swings/low moods, muscle aches, joint pains etc.
• Begins 12 months after your last period.
• The average age is 51

Postmenopause

• Over 1 year since your last period
• Will remain in this stage for the rest of your life, but don’t be fooled symptoms can still happen even once you are Post Menopausal

We do have things to help in this Rollercoaster of Ageing and we can love ourselves again and discover balance: As Menopause tips life’s scales, ESPA offers balance again.

Image from GenM.com

In this bustling world of skincare and wellness, where Korean skincare is taking the world by storm, ESPA stands as an example of holistic rejuvenation, embodying a thirty-year legacy.

Founded by Sue Harmsworth in her kitchen, ESPA has been a pioneer in aromatherapy and well-being since 1992. Their journey has been one of passion, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of sensorial wellness experiences.

GenM is an organisation committed to fostering significant change for ‘the-change’ by empowering brands to understand and serve the 15.5 million menopausal audience in the UK.

During their own journey through menopause, GenM co-founders Heather Jackson and Sam Simister recognised that women undergoing this transition often experience feelings of isolation and invisibility due to a lack of understanding and awareness.

Therefore, they introduced a system called MTick, the first and only universal shopping symbol indicating menopause-friendly products. This groundbreaking initiative guarantees women access to reliable and tailored solutions to manage their menopause journey confidently and conveniently.

Image from ESPA.com

Two become one in a new initiative. Partnering with GenM in a pioneering move, ESPA aims to address a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of women’s health; menopause. As the first menopause partner for brands, ESPA is offering products alongside targeted spa treatments to support women through the entire menopausal journey and the rollercoaster of ageing. The custom skincare products will be carrying GenM’s innovative MTick symbol clearly identifying them as menopause friendly.

“Embrace people to embrace a wellness lifestyle, giving them the foundations and support to live a life more balanced and happier way”

ESPA

There is a large offering, but it’s not about stopping the change. But about aiding women to feel better as they process it. With many products with the MTick that can potentially help women at this stressful time with a little self-love.

Skin Protection & Clarifying. Tri-Active Resilience Detox & Purify Cleanser. A gentle yet powerful cleanser ensures that skin feels resilient and strong, glowing with vitality. Age-defying through effective cleansing, nurturing the skin’s microbiome against environmental aggressors.

Cool & Hydrating: Isotonic Hydrating Mask. A quick and easy way to revitalise dry, dull skin that might be feeling the effects of hectic schedules, travel or air conditioning. 

Age-Defying: Tri-Active Regenerating Treatment Oil. A potent age-defying facial oil that reduces the appearance of fine lines and leaves skin feeling deeply nourished, smooth, and supple. A youthful glow is yours with this powerful oil that protects the skin’s natural moisture barrier and evolution.

Body Nourishing & Smoothing: Tri-Active Regenerating Smooth & firm Body Butter. Improves skin’s hydration, texture, radiance, and tone. An age-defying treat for silky radiance.

Calming & Balancing: Soothing Bath & Body Oil. The Soothing Signature Blend features mellow Myrrh, heady Rose Geranium, and warm Frankincense. Sink into serenity for the body and mind.

Relieve Aches: Muscle Rescue Balm. An invigorating balm, ideal for hard-working and tired muscles. Refreshing Peppermint and Eucalyptus and warming Clove Bud, help create an atmosphere of recharging restoration for the body and mind.

Image courtesy of ESPA

ESPA has invested in careful training for their spa therapists, enriching their understanding of menopause. This effort culminates in a tailored treatment menu, integrating six beloved existing treatments perfectly suited to individuals navigating this life stage.

Age Defying – ESPA’s Natural Face Lift, This includes a skin analysis, double cleanse, steam, stimulation, facial sculpting & massage techniques and, a lifting and smoothing mask. This facial lasts approximately 90 minutes.

Sleep health – ESPA’s Sleep Ritual, lasting 90 minutes. Including breathing and visualising techniques, a full body massage with hot stones and a therapeutic scalp massage.

Muscle Treatment – Strength & Resilience Massage, lasting 90 minutes. Including, a back massage, reflex zone foot massage, scalp massage, sinus release and yogic stretching.

Deep Muscle Treatment, lasting 60 minutes. If you’re in need of a little more of a targeted treatment this includes a scalp massage and a targeted massage focusing on any areas of concern, with or without hot stones.

Low Mood – Inner Calm Massage, lasting 60 minutes. This includes breath work, a full body aromatherapy massage and a scalp massage with rose quartz crystals.

Positivity Massage, lasting 90 minutes. Including breath work, visualisation, a scalp massage with warm rose quartz crystals, massage to metamorphic zones of the feet and a full body massage.

Image courtesy of ESPA

ESPA understands this journey so well, Their treatments and products are designed to quell The forty-eight symptoms and more, To ease the body and the mind’s sore.

The products carry GenM’s recognisable MTick, Symbolising the commitment, to do the trick. To empower women and help them thrive, In this transformative phase of their life.

Loving yourself involves more than just tending to your menopause; it also entails embracing your grey hair. And in Summer, there are additional challenges for grey or blonde hair, as it is exposed to direct sunlight, heat, pool chemicals, and salt from seaside, leading to heightened dryness and accentuating brassy tones.

Silvina London understands this deeply. Founded with a passion for holistic self-care, the brand offers a range of products specially formulated to nourish and enhance grey/blonde hair.

SHAMPOO | EVERY DAY GREY HAIR SHINE

This gentle shampoo helps soften and add shine to grey/blonde hair with over 93% natural ingredients. The blue pigments are derived from Maltodextrin (a natural starch derivative) and Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, aiding in preventing brassy tones in the medium to long term.

CONDITIONER | MAXIMUM GREY HAIR HYDRATION

With its gentle yet effective formula, this conditioner helps maintain your desired color and shine by nourishing and hydrating your hair. Infused with naturally derived pigments from Blue Gardenia and enriched with beautiful natural oils, Silvina LONDON ensures maximum hydration, making it the perfect choice for maintaining vibrant and healthy grey hair.

To find out more about Espa Spas and Espa products please visit espaskincare.com. Find out about GenM and MTick please visit gen-m.com

To find out more about Silvina visit here www.silvinalondon.com/

If you enjoy reading The Rollercoaster of Ageing; Love Yourself Again, why not try What Does the Doctor Know About Skincare? or  Jurlique: A New Way to Life, From Seed to Skin

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