Mood Swings in Menopause: How to Cope
Mood Swings: From Zen to "I Will Fight You Over the Remote"
You know those times when you’re feeling perfectly fine, and then – BAM – your mood swings, and you’re either crying over a cute dog video or shouting at your partner for leaving their shoes in the hallway? Yeah, that’s menopause in action.
What Happens:
- Sudden mood changes (sometimes within minutes)
- Feeling irritable or tearful for no apparent reason
- Emotional rollercoaster of highs and lows
It’s like being on the set of a soap opera, only the drama is all yours. The good news? These mood swings are often due to hormonal changes, and they usually settle down once you’re through menopause.
What You Can Do:
Practice deep breathing or meditation
It’s a game changer—seriously. When you feel like biting someone’s head off for breathing too loudly, take a moment. Deep belly breaths or a 5-minute meditation can help bring you back from the edge. Apps like Insight Timer or just sitting in silence with your eyes closed can do wonders. It’s not about being zen all the time (who has time for that?), but giving your nervous system a moment to chill.
Try regular exercise
We’re not talking bootcamp at dawn (unless you’re into that). Even a brisk walk, a dance around the lounge room, or a quick yoga flow can act like a reset button for your mind and body. Movement helps release feel-good hormones and burn off some of that excess frustration before it turns into a household showdown.
Limit alcohol and caffeine
I know, I know—coffee is your morning saviour and wine is your evening reward. But both can mess with your hormones, increase anxiety, and spike those mood swings into overdrive. Try switching to herbal teas or a mocktail during the week and see how you feel. This isn’t about depriving yourself—it’s about finding what actually helps you feel more balanced (and less like a ticking emotional time bomb).
Bonus tip: Be kind to yourself
Mood swings can make you feel like you’re losing your mind. You’re not. This is a hormone rollercoaster, not a personality failure. Give yourself some grace, talk to someone you trust, and remind yourself: you’re doing the best you can.