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Singing Through The Menopause

In recent years there has been much more recognition of the impact of the menopause on women. The terms ‘hot flushes’ and ‘brain fog’ have become part of everyday language and are talked about much more openly than was once the case. In the past, many women suffered in silence, while those who spoke up often had their symptoms misdiagnosed, misunderstood or dismissed.

With the increase in understanding about the menopause there is now more support and treatment available to help women deal with the particular physical and emotional challenges that this phase of our lives can bring. This is very good news indeed, but there are also things that we, as women, can do to help ourselves during this time of change.

Loss of concentration and motivation can mean that we give up on interests that we previously enjoyed. We may also find that we struggle with some activities, discouraging us from continuing with them. These pursuits, however, are really important for our mental wellbeing and can help to brighten up the more difficult days.

 

The Effects On Singing

When thinking about the menopause, the impact on our singing voice may not be first thing that comes to mind. Dryness is common during the menopause, affecting the skin and eyes in particular, but it also has an effect on our vocal cords. The latter vibrate together to produce sound, and they need to be lubricated in order to prevent irritation occurring. During the menopause, we may have the sense of our throat feeling scratchy and our voice having a rough edge to it. We may also be aware of subtle changes to tone and slight variations in the range of notes we can comfortably sing. Sometimes we can find it more difficult to sing at volume.

We shouldn’t look at such issues as a block to enjoying singing, however, as these challenges are not insurmountable. Regular vocalizing will help to strengthen the voice, and improved hydration will help counteract the effects of menopausal dryness. As well as keeping your vocal cords in good shape, drinking water is beneficial for your whole body. Around 73% of our brain is made up of water so keeping our brain hydrated is really important to maintain good mental function. Just remember to avoid fizzy drinks and caffeine when you are singing, as these can have a drying effect on your vocal cords. Fizzy drinks also have other consequences that are unhelpful during singing!

 

Keep Calm and Sing!

Singing is so beneficial for our physical and emotional well-being that it becomes particularly important during this time of profound change in our lives. It helps to calm and centre our minds, when our thoughts are racing or confused, and increases our sense of self-awareness and control. Singing increases oxygen levels in the blood, which improves brain function and has massive benefits for the cardiovascular system.

Learning and singing songs keeps the brain active. It stimulates the connections in the brain and activates the encoding process that is used to establish memory. We can’t guarantee that you won’t find yourself standing in the bedroom wondering what you went in there for but, knowing that you still have the ability to learn and remember may make it easier for you to laugh about it!

 

Don’t Hide Your Voice Away

The menopause can leave us feeling like we want to shut the doors and hide until it is all over, but this would be counterproductive. Staying active, both physically and mentally, will help us better deal with the symptoms and keep us more connected with the world around us. Locking ourselves away can prolong the process of dealing with menopausal change, as it can be much more difficult to get ourselves motivated to do things once we have got into the habit of not engaging with activities.

It is well documented that singing with other people is one of the most connecting and life-affirming experiences we can have. At a time when we can start to feel isolated, or like we are losing our identity, the sheer joy of raising our voices in song with other women like us, can be transformational!

If you’ve not done much singing before, don’t be put off. You might surprise yourself! If it’s been a while, do yourself a favour - fill up your water bottle and give it a go!

 

Get Singing!

• We have some free singing exercises, to get you started, on our website at:  https://www.dynamicmeladies.co.uk/ladies-room/ 
• There is nothing quite like singing with other people, so come and join us. We’d love to see you at one of our classes!

Find out more and book your place at: https://www.dynamicmeladies.co.uk/singing-classes/