It’s hot in here. I’m sweating, who turned up the heat?! You wake up and your PJs are wet. Having trouble sleeping straight through the night? The number on the scale is going up. Increased irritability. Lowered sexual drive. Some of these things point to one cause; can you say menopause.
Menopause is a fact of life for women. Whether it is surgically induced or natural, it will catch up to you at some point in life. You can’t control when it is going to happen but just know that it is inevitable. The good news is that there are some things you can do to reduce symptoms. The duration of menopause is different for everyone. Also, not every woman has the same symptoms.
Menopause comes with more than just the physical manifestations, it comes with emotional problems too. A sense of aging for one. Most women do not want to deal with getting older. Some women worry about reduced libido and the ability to enjoy sex at this stage of life.
I urge anyone out there having difficulty with these symptoms to talk to your healthcare provider. Please do not suffer and think that you are alone. There are options available but no one-size-fits-all approach. If you know someone who has gone through what you are experiencing, talk to them.
It’s Hot in Here
Hormone replacement therapy is one option to help with the changes the body goes through during menopause. If this is not right for you, don’t fret. There are over the counter remedies you can try at home. With so many products out there, choose wisely. Remember, talk to your healthcare provider to find the right course of action for your unique situation.
Dietary supplements can help with some of the most common symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. Personal lubricants can help with vaginal dryness. If you experience depression, please seek support. It helps to verbalize your feelings and helps in finding a solution.
Menopause does not have to feel like the end of your vibrant life. Some women have low to moderate symptoms while it affects others more severely. You might find that your sex life is more fulfilled because the worry of pregnancy is gone. You might find that you are sexually freer.
In closing, menopause is a natural progression of a woman’s life. Take it in stride. If you have already gone through this, share with the ones who may be struggling with the effects. You can have a normal life after menopause with a few adjustments.
Image credit: Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this post are not medical advice. Always consult with a licensed medical professional for your healthcare needs.
What is your favorite Christmas movie? The holiday season is here. During this time of year, there are a ton of holiday movies playing. You can watch an animated version, a Christmas comedy, a romance or the regular kind. A few titles come to mind when I think about some of my favorites.
Home Alone– Kevin gets into all kinds of things when he gets left behind by the family. He comes up with some clever plots to stop would-be burglars who think the house is empty.
This Christmas– This Christmas is a movie about more than the holidays. It is about family, love, and life. I’m sure most of us can relate to at least one character in this movie. There is some good music in this one too.
A Charlie Brown Christmas– This one is a classic, if you like the Peanuts gang! It always puts me in a good mood when I watch it.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas– Jim Carrey (the Grinch) is up to no good in this one.
The Best Man Holiday– Even though this one was a little sad, there is some laughter too.
Black Nativity– Some life lessons and good singing in this one to lift your spirits.
Drop a note and share with us, what is your favorite Christmas movie? Don’t be shy 🙂
Happy Holidays and Happy shopping! The holiday shopping season is well underway. If you hit a snag and can’t think of a gift to buy for someone, look no further. These black owned businesses have interesting items for women and men. You can find clothing, home items, jewelry, and sleep wear. Check them out and you might find that perfect one-of-a-kind gift. These sites have items from basic everyday essentials to custom made apparels. You will find price points from affordable to expensive. Maybe you want to treat yourself to a Christmas gift. Take a look.
Can You Answer This? Why Are You Thankful?What are you giving thanks for? We have all heard the saying, this is the season for giving. But I pose the question, what are you giving thanks for? Some of us are thankful to have our health and some are thankful to have their pockets full of cash. Material things are nice to have too but they cannot give you a hug or a kiss. You can’t confide in a new car or electronic device. You can’t cry on the shoulder of a new pair of shoes or other clothing items. You get where I’m going with this.
Giving is such a great feeling and it benefits both the giver and the receiver. As the human race, we all have different paths to walk in life, so there are different things that affect us. The thing to remember is that we only get one chance to do this. We don’t get a do-over. So, I ask again; what are you giving thanks for? Personally, I am thankful for the people in my life. Both near and far. So, be it a roof over your head, a job/career, a car to get back and forth, children, spouse, family. Nothing is too small to measure.
Superstition- a widely held but unjustified belief in supernatural causation leading to certain consequences of an action or event, or a practice based on such a belief
Are you superstitious? What exactly are superstitions? They are things that people perceive as true but really are not. I have heard some of these over the years and just when I thought I heard them all; another one pops up. Which ones have you heard and/or believe in?
Happy Anniversary! It has been 1 year since the inception of Inspire By O’Nika- Inspire, Motivate, Uplift. What a very rewarding year and I am so happy to share with all of you. Since starting this blog, I have learned a lot. Thank you for all the love, comments, and feedback. Hope you have enjoyed the content. Looking forward to another year.
November is Hip Hop History Month
Click the image to read the article on Hip Hop Music Culture of the 80s and 90s
Let’s review some of the most popular blog posts from this year
Just in case you missed it, below are some of the most read posts published this year. Happy reading, watching and listening!
Can You Answer This? What is Your Take on Re-gifting?
The holiday season is upon us. What do you say about re-gifting? Do you think it is perfectly fine to re-gift something that you have received, then give it to someone else? Do you find it rude? Let’s hear what you think about this. If you are someone who believes in re-gifting, are there rules to this? Some people call it recycling, reusing or not wasting. I have also heard it called re-purposing.
Re-gifting
I always feel like a gift is a gift. It is the thought that counts. If someone took the time and money to pick something out for me, I appreciate it. I don’t know that I can honestly say, I would be okay with someone re-gifting a present I gave to them. Something to think about. Where do you stand on the subject?
November is the month to remember for many reasons. It’s the eleventh month and one more to go to see the new year in 2023!! Wow, where has the time gone? We have Thanksgiving, a time to give thanks and reflect on all our blessings. A time to be with family, friends and loved ones. Veterans day to also give thanks to the ones who fought for the country. Read on for more.
Men Make Dinner Day
Man getting his cook on Image by Sasha Kim on pexels
November 3– This day is for the men who do not usually cook dinner. It is a chance for the man to make a meal and dive into an area that they may not have before. Let the man make the meal for the family or just for himself. Some men may not have ever considered cooking for many reasons. Some feel that this is strictly for women, some may not have had anyone in their lives to teach them how to cook. This is definitely a skillset that all men should have. Get your burn on!!
Daylight Savings Time Ends
Waking up from that extra hour of sleep Image by Miriam Alonso on pexels
November 6– Daylight savings time is when the clocks are moved ahead one hour. This allows for more daylight hours during the springtime. Hence, the term spring forward. November is when we set the clocks back one hour. There has been debate about this since it negatively affects sleep for a lot of people. During the Fall season, most of the day is dark. Depending on what state you live in, you don’t have to be concerned with this at all. Not all of the United States take part in DST.
November is now declared hip hop history month. Hip Hop has influenced the cultures of art, fashion, and music. Although, hip hop has changed over the decades it is still relevant and has shaped many of us who have grown up listening to hip hop music. It is arguably one of the most influential genres of music. Check out Know Ya Hip Hop – Universal Hip Hop Museum (uhhm.org) and learn more about the artists who made this form of music so popular.
November 8-Election Day is your chance to make your voice heard. This is your chance to exercise your right as a citizen, taxpayer, etc. I hear some people say that voting doesn’t matter and their one vote does not count. Your vote most certainly does matter and it does count! It is too bad that there is voter fraud going on and people trying to dissuade certain groups away from the polls. It is just the world we live in today. Do not be discouraged. Get your vote in. If you do not participate, don’t complain later about the outcome of who gets elected.
Veteran’s Day
November 11-Veteran’s Day is a day of thanks and recognition to all military members who have fought for our country. Some have lost their lives in the fight for many freedoms we enjoy today. Let’s give praise and thanks to those who have selflessly given so much. Also, lets remember the families of military members. It can be very challenging and also rewarding for them as well. They deserve recognition too.
World Kindness Day
November 13– Show the kinder side of yourself. We all have one. Remember to be kind and maybe you want to show random acts of kindness. It does not have to be anything fancy. Consider saying something nice to someone, maybe opening a door for someone, write a nice sticky note with a few words. Keep it simple. It is the thought that counts. Taking time to acknowledge or think of someone else is a good feeling. Being kind is also contagious and it might start a trend and make people smile more and lift up the mood of many. What do you have to lose? While you are being kind, don’t forget to also include yourself. We can be hard on ourselves at times.
Peanut Butter Lovers Month
Peanut butter is versatile. You can eat it any time of the day. It comes in the smooth variety or with peanuts (chunky). You can also buy it with the jelly mixed in already. It also is good for the heart and full of potassium and protein. If you love peanut butter there are many recipes out there to try. Peanut butter can be eaten plain, or in candy, ice cream, cookies, etc.
What do you call the fear of getting peanut butter stuck to the roof of your mouth? Arachibutyrophobia. Try saying that fast, five times.
Black Marketers Day
Black marketers in a meeting Image by Christina Morillo on pexels
November 16– National Black Marketers Day gives credit to often overlooked marketers in the black community. The success and efforts of black marketers often goes unnoticed. There are over 60% of black people in the marketing industry. On this day you can show support by shopping with black businesses. Despite the worth of the black consumer, underrepresentation still exists in areas of healthcare and banking. The magazines, Jet and Ebony were published through the Johnson Publishing Company, which is one of the first media businesses by black people.
November 24– The Thanksgiving holiday is a chance to bring families together over a meal. Usually, the main course is a turkey, but some families make ham or a roast. You decide, there is no right or wrong answer. We can also enjoy some good desserts like sweet potato pie, apple pie, ice cream, cobbler and cake. On Thanksgiving there are sports playing on television and classic holiday movies to enjoy. Give thanks on this day and enjoy a meal with friends, family and loved ones. Think about your blessings and all the people in your life and things that you are thankful for. Thanksgiving is truly a day of reflection.
Sweet Potato Awareness Month
Sweet potatoes are a healthy, starchy vegetable. What better time to bring awareness to sweet potatoes then the month of November; think Thanksgiving and sweet potato pie and yams. These potatoes can be cooked in many different ways. You can fry, bake, mash or boil them. They are often used as a healthier alternative to regular potatoes. The sweetness of them also means that you don’t need to add any additional sugar to give them flavor. The health benefits include vitamins A and C. They are also good for anyone trying to lose weight. Full of antioxidants and other nutrients, you can see why they are such an appealing food source.
Pomegranate Season
It is pomegranate season, and this fruit is packed with healthy nutrients. They are a tasty fruit but do require some work to eat. Be aware that if you spill any of the juice from a pomegranate, clean it up quickly. The juice from this fruit will stain your countertop, cutting board and clothing. Pomegranates are low in fat and calories but have high fiber content. The edible seeds of this fruit are sweet and juicy. Get some pomegranate in your life.
