Patient Resource Center
Welcome to your go-to health resource! Each month, we spotlight key topics to keep women informed and empowered. Explore health risks, how conditions affect women differently, and practical wellness tips. Plus, find helpful products, events, and resources to support your well-being. Check back regularly for new topics and events!
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Your Mind Matters: A Guide to Mental & Emotional Wellness
Your Brain and Mood Deserve Care, Too
Women are often tuned into changes in their bodies, but when it comes to memory, focus, or emotions, those changes are sometimes brushed aside as "just stress" or "just aging."
Over time, it can be hard to know what’s typical and what deserves closer attention.
The truth is that aging brings real change in how the mind works and how emotions are experienced. Some changes are normal. Some are not. And many, like how hormonal shifts after menopause impact memory, or how depression can look different later in life, are still misunderstood, even today.
Mind, mood, and memory are powerful parts of your health, and they deserve thoughtful care at every stage of life.
Your Mind, Mood & Memory Matter More to Your Overall Health Than You Might Realize
Here’s what many women don’t hear enough about:
• Women are nearly 2x as likely as men to experience depression after age 60.
• Memory problems can sometimes be the first sign of depression, not just dementia.
• After menopause, hormonal changes can impact memory, mood regulation, and even how stress affects the brain.
• Hearing loss, common with age, can increase your risk of cognitive decline by up to 30–40% if left untreated.
• Staying socially connected is as protective for your brain as regular exercise or eating a healthy diet.
Your brain and mood naturally change with age, but decline isn’t inevitable! Small, everyday habits can help protect your memory, lift your mood, and keep you connected to the people and activities you love.
Below, you’ll find tools, tips, and resources to help you stay mentally strong, emotionally steady, and feeling your best
First things first! If you’ve noticed changes in how you think or feel, talk to your healthcare provider. They can help you understand what’s typical, what’s treatable, and what next steps are right for you.
Why Brain Health and Mood Go Hand in Hand
How you think, remember, and learn (your cognitive health) and how you feel emotionally and socially (your mental health) are closely linked. When one changes, the other often does too.
Feeling sad, lonely, or worried can make it harder to focus, remember things, or stay motivated. And if you notice your memory slipping or you can’t think as clearly, it can affect your mood and make you pull away from people. That’s why taking care of your mind and your mood is so important: they work together!
How to Support Your Brain Health
Keeping your brain sharp takes more than just doing puzzles (though they’re great, too!). Your brain needs regular exercise, good sleep, and steady care.
Simple ways to help:
Keep learning.
Try a new hobby like painting, cooking a new recipe, or learning a new language.
Get moving.
Walk, dance, garden, or join a low-impact exercise class. Movement increases blood flow to your brain.
Sleep well.
Aim for 7–8 hours of sleep each night. Turn off the TV or phone 30 minutes before bed to help your brain wind down.
Focus on one thing at a time.
Multitasking gets harder as we age. Try finishing one task before starting another to help your brain stay clear.
Even small steps, done consistently, can make a big difference. What matters most is keeping at it.
How to Support Mental Health
Mental health is just as important as physical health, yet many women were raised to power through or “put on a brave face.” You deserve better than that.
Here’s what helps:
01
Stay connected.
Call a friend, join a community center, take a fitness class like water aerobics, or try a hobby group like quilting or pickleball. Building connections helps fight loneliness and lifts your mood.
02
Talk about it.
Share your feelings with a therapist, your provider, or a trusted friend. If that feels hard, start by writing your thoughts in a journal to practice opening up.
03
Make time for joy.
Set aside time each day for something that brings you happiness, like gardening, walking your dog, volunteering, or starting a small project like a puzzle or painting.
04
Move your body.
Yes, again! Exercise doesn't have to mean going to the gym. Try chair yoga, neighborhood walks, stretching videos, or even dancing in your living room. Movement can ease anxiety and depression.
You don’t have to manage your mental health alone. Support is available, and it works. Talking to your provider is a strong first step. They can help you understand what you're feeling and explore options like therapy or medication. These tools aren’t signs of weakness. They’re part of whole-person care.
That’s why we now offer mental health support at Herself Health, designed with your needs in mind.
How Chronic Conditions Affect Mental and Cognitive Health
After menopause, women face new health challenges that can raise the risk for memory loss, mood changes, and dementia, especially if chronic conditions aren’t well-managed. Here's why:
High Blood Pressure:
Over time, high blood pressure can damage blood vessels in the brain, raising the risk for vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. After menopause, women’s risk for high blood pressure rises sharply.
Diabetes:
High blood sugar levels and insulin resistance can damage blood vessels and brain cells, speeding up memory loss and cognitive decline.
High Cholesterol:
Plaque buildup from high cholesterol can block blood flow to the brain, raising dementia risk. Cholesterol levels often worsen after menopause.
Obesity:
Extra weight, especially around the waist, causes inflammation and increases the risk for heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s.
Depression:
Untreated depression can change how the brain works and doubles the risk of developing dementia later in life.
Sleep Problems:
Sleep apnea, insomnia, and poor sleep quality lower oxygen levels to the brain and hurt memory over time.
Many chronic conditions that affect brain and mood health develop slowly and without obvious symptoms. Regular checkups with your provider can help keep these conditions in check and catch any changes early before they begin to impact how you think, feel, or function day to day.
Featured Resource: Gratitude Journal Prompts
Gratitude isn’t just a feel-good practice; it can also benefit your brain and mood. Regularly practicing gratitude can reduce stress, improve sleep, and enhance cognitive function.
Start with simple daily gratitude exercises:
• Gratitude Journaling. Write down three things you’re thankful for each day.
• Gratitude Walks. Take a stroll while mentally listing what you're grateful for.
Download our Gratitude Journal Prompts to help you begin or deepen your gratitude practice.
Local Resources
Fitness classes:
Local YMCA Programs offering yoga and tai chi.
Community Wellness Center with strength-training classes tailored to seniors.
Event: Anxiety & Depression in Older Adults
Learn about anxiety & depression in older adults with YMCA
Date: Thursday, May 15th
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 pm CST
Location: Virtual
Join us to learn more about the risks, signs, and symptoms of anxiety or depression in older adults. Get strategies to help a friend or family member get the help they need to feel better as they age.
Final Thoughts
Your brain and mood are worth the care—and you don’t have to do it alone. Schedule your next appointment today by calling (888) 290-1209 to talk with your provider about how to support your mental and cognitive health.
Blog Article Library
Our blog articles serve as your trusted source for expert-reviewed articles designed to meet all your health needs. You can visit our dedicated blog page with even more content.
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