UBCNews - Business - Can Menopausal Hot Flashes & Mood Shifts Set You On The Road To Self-Discovery?

Episode Date: November 16, 2025

Have you ever wondered if those dreaded hot flashes and mood swings during menopause might actually be leading you somewhere important? I'm here today with our guest to examine how this challenging transition can become a powerful catalyst for self-discovery. Wordsmith World City: Big Spring Address: Texas Website: https://bettyjohansen.com/

Have you ever wondered if those dreaded hot flashes and mood swings during menopause might actually be leading you somewhere important? I'm here today with our guest to examine how this challenging transition can become a powerful catalyst for self-discovery. You know, that's such a refreshing way to look at it. For so many women, menopause feels like this thing happening to them. But what if we flip the script? I've seen firsthand how women can use this time to reconnect with parts of themselves they'd lost along the way. Right. It goes beyond simply managing symptoms anymore. The research shows that women with more positive attitudes toward menopause

tend to have better outcomes, less depression, better body image, but let's be real about what we're dealing with first. Absolutely. During perimenopause, hormone levels fluctuate wildly. We're talking intense mood swings, anger that comes out of nowhere. Studies suggest that a significant percentage of women experience mood symptoms like irritability, anxiety and depression during this transition. It's like reverse puberty, honestly. Except this time, you actually know what's happening to you.

I see. That's quite the comparison. And there's more to it than the hormones, right? The hot flashes disrupting your sleep, the night sweats waking you up during the night. Everything compounds. I remember working with one woman who told me her hot flashes felt like internal fire alarms going off, forcing her to finally pay attention to what her body was trying to tell her.

That's such a powerful reframe. So how do we actually approach menopause with a positive mindset when you're dealing with all these physical and emotional changes? Well, first we acknowledge that this involves more than a simple physical transition. It deeply affects emotional and psychological well-being too. But instead of seeing it as decline, we can view it as transformation. Think about it. You're shedding old roles and expectations,

kind of like a snake shedding its skin. I love that. Transformation rather than decline. What does that look like practically? One approach I recommend is expressive writing. Just five to ten minutes daily, writing whatever comes to mind. No censoring, no grammar rules. It helps process those suppressed emotions and gain clarity. Also, identifying your actual needs again, reconnecting with what you truly want. That point about reconnecting with needs really sets the stage for deeper self-awareness. That sets up our next piece about practical self-discovery techniques. But first, a quick word from our sponsor.

Whether you're moving through menopause or any major life transition, finding your authentic voice matters. With new work from author Betty Johansson, Wordsmith World invites you to embrace the change with a positive mindset. Think of menopause as a dance. Listen to the music in your soul. Find new melodies in your heart. Tune into the songs on the breeze.

Visit bettyjohansson.com to learn how to dance through menopause with confidence and clarity. Picking up on that deeper self-awareness, how do you help women actually reconnect with what they want after years of focusing on everyone else? Great question. Some practitioners suggest using emotional awareness techniques. When you notice any feeling, pleasant or unpleasant, check in with what underlying need might be present. Pleasant feelings often mean needs are being met. Unpleasant ones can signal unpleasant. met needs. That's brilliant. Using emotions as data rather than just enduring them. What other practical steps can women take? Movement is huge. Formal exercise isn't required, but finding something you love. Dancing, walking, yoga. It supports physical well-being but also helps with mood regulation and creative outlets, writing, painting, gardening. Sometimes we express ourselves better

through creativity than words. So we've established that menopause can be this period of liberation and self-focus. But I imagine some listeners are thinking, this sounds nice, but I'm struggling to get through the day. I totally get that, and that's completely valid. The key is remembering that while some symptoms may stabilize within a few years after the final period, experiences vary widely, and some symptoms can persist. Your brain has enough plasticity to adapt, though it may be,

in different ways. Mm-hmm. That's reassuring to hear. Definitely. Therapy can be incredibly helpful for managing symptoms and identifying positive avenues for change. Some women benefit from hormone therapy to stabilize mood, others from medications that help with both mood and hot flashes. However, it's essential to discuss the risks and benefits with a health care provider to

determine what's right for you. You know, there's something powerful about reframing this whole experience. Instead of losing who you were, it becomes unveiling who you really are. That's the same idea we started with, transformation instead of loss. Exactly. This can be a time of renewed purpose, increased confidence, greater clarity around priorities. If your children are becoming more independent, you suddenly have this opportunity to rediscover passions that took a backseat earlier in life. For everyone listening who's in this transition, what's one small step?

step you could take this week to reconnect with yourself. Remember, you're not alone. Millions of women are going through this same process of growth and self-discovery. Thanks for joining us, and remember to approach this time with curiosity rather than dread. Find more resources and support at bettyjohansson.com.