Red Hot Mamas In Charge of Change.
By: Guest Author
Published: July 11, 2024
Written by Amanda Winstead -Guest Contributor
You’re in a time of your life where you’re going through yet another major transition. And frankly, it’s an inconvenient one: menopause typically arrives during an already busy time in women’s lives. You may be in the midst of helping take care of your parents, facilitating your children’s journeys into adulthood, or pursuing new career opportunities.
And then there’s menopause. A time after your last cycle when your body seems to rebel against you, attacking with hot flashes, disordered sleep, mood swings, and even unprecedented episodes of depression. It’s a completely normal, yet sometimes difficult, condition that marks a significant period in your life; and it’s one that causes emotions that range from sadness to frustration.
What if I told you that menopause is as good a reason as any to get away? Women going through menopause deserve a vacation; and more, it may actually be good for their overall well-being to step back and relax. This article will break down the various benefits of traveling for menopause, and then explore strategies for making your dream vacation a reality.
Menopause and Travel
As mentioned before, menopause marks a new period in women’s lives; one often accompanied by a variety of questions as to how best to proceed. These questions often include:
● What kind of support do I need, and how can I get it?
● How can I stay connected, even when my menopause tries to make it difficult?
● Who do I want to become in the next phase of my life? Am I satisfied with what came before?
Some of these don’t have an easy answer, requiring time for introspection that the hustle and bustle of modern-day life just doesn’t allow. Finding a community where you can break down these issues and come closer to your own answers can be difficult as well, as menopause is still somewhat of a taboo subject nowadays.
For a growing number of women, menopause retreats allow an opportunity to get away, be surrounded by a like-minded group of people, and frankly discuss their experiences. It’s an opportunity for introspection as well, allowing time to work through complex identity questions, find your center, and settle on goals for the next stage of your life.
However, you don’t need to go to a menopause retreat to get these answers, or to reap the benefits of getting away for a bit. A growing number of women over 50 are deciding to strike out on their own, embracing adventure via solo travel.
Traveling solo can be a frightening idea for women over 50, but can also benefit them in ways that even menopause-specific retreats cannot. Some of the benefits of solo travel include:
● A greater sense of independence
● Fulfillment of long-standing dreams
● Reduced stress
● Increased creativity and productivity
The arrival of menopause marks a time in your life when you should allow your needs to come first. Whether you elect to go to a wellness retreat with others sharing your experience or jet out on your own to your dream location, choose to embrace adventure and put yourself first.
Strategies for Stepping Out
That being said, if you’ve never gone on an adventure before, any hesitation you might feel at the thought of doing something so singular is more than understandable. For many women over 50, worries about the responsibilities they’re leaving behind and concerns about safety while traveling abroad can cause trepidation when planning something so big.
These concerns aren’t something to brush off, but they can be planned for and mitigated accordingly. If you want to do something adventurous but don’t know how to go about it, try any of these strategies:
● Start small: Nobody said you had to jump immediately on the next flight to the Bahamas! Start with little adventures in your day-to-day life, departures from your status quo that allow you to investigate locations in your city, dive into interests, and explore local communities. Build up your tolerance for adventure, so when you do decide to jump on a plane, the experience of going so far out of your comfort zone is less intimidating.
● Make room for age accommodations: When you do decide to travel, making plans that accommodate your needs will help you travel securely and comfortably. Little measures like a doctor checkup before departure, securing an aisle seat on the plane, and making sure your hotel has accessibility options add up to an enjoyable experience overall.
● Research the area you plan to visit: This includes avenues of transportation, landmarks you want to visit, conveniently placed hotels, and information about area safety. Travel with a purpose, avoiding unsafe areas and placing yourself within reach of your destinations. Researching the culture of the area is also a good idea, as you’ll want to avoid any accidental foibles while traveling abroad.
● Bring the family if solo isn’t your thing: It can be really hard to step out alone at this time in your life and you may benefit from having your family crew with you. Look for ways to travel affordably with the whole family. A stripped-down, minimalist, seven-day trip for four to Europe can run just over $4,500. Why minimalist? Because a hectic and complex vacation isn’t what you need. Be upfront with your family about your need for self-care during this time, and plan therapeutic activities such as hot springs trips that won’t break the bank.
Traveling can feel intimidating; but with the right amount of planning, you can tailor your adventure to your needs in a way that’s both secure and fulfilling. Take the jump, and you might just find yourself feeling more fulfilled and centered when you return.
Amanda Winstead is a writer focusing on health, wellness, and the healthcare industry. Along with writing she enjoys traveling, reading, working out, and going to concerts. If you want to follow her writing journey, or even just say hi you can find her on X.
The views expressed herein this article, written by a guest contributor, do not necessarily represent those of the Red Hot Mamas organization. The content is for informational purposes and should not substitute the advice of your doctor.
