Finding your flow
By Vanessa Johnson
The creation of 4Five+ has sparked many conversations about the mental health symptoms experienced by some women during the transition through perimenopause and beyond. The talk happens over coffee or on the bike, often between women, but also frequently with concerned partners who want to help the woman they love through a difficult time.
These conversations prompted 4Five+ to hold a Resilience and Mojo Maintenance evening, generously hosted by the beautiful Picarda Gallery in Fremantle. Psychologist Pippa Bell led a discussion about the nature of resilience, and ways we can foster this by focusing on social connections, wellness, healthy thinking, and what gives our life meaning.
The variety and intensity of psychological symptoms experienced on the menopause journey will be different for everyone. We each bring our unique combination of hormones and life circumstances to the party, so there is no one-size-fits-all treatment or strategy. Delve into the resources we’ve collated below - hopefully there is something here to help you find your FLOW.
READ
Building your resilience, American Psychological Association
WEBSITES
Jean Hailes for Women’s Health - Menopause, mental health & emotions
Rock my Menopause - Menopause & mental health (source of clipped text box)
PODCAST
Hit Play not Pause – March to Your Own Drummer
APPS
RESEARCH
Cohen LS, Soares CN, Joffe H. Diagnosis and management of mood disorders during the menopausal transition. Am J Med. 2005 Dec 19;118 Suppl 12B:93-7. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2005.09.042. PMID: 16414333.
Gava G, Orsili I, Alvisi S, Mancini I, Seracchioli R, Meriggiola MC. Cognition, Mood and Sleep in Menopausal Transition: The Role of Menopause Hormone Therapy. Medicina (Kaunas). 2019 Oct 1;55(10):668. doi: 10.3390/medicina55100668. PMID: 31581598; PMCID: PMC6843314.
HELP
if you are in need of urgent psychological help and need to talk to someone straight away please call Lifeline on 131 114 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
LOOKING AHEAD
For those who ride a bike, road racing season continues, with the classic Collie Donnybrook happening this weekend. The Dwellingup 100 will be THE big event for the MTB contingent, and for the gravel riders Backroads Gravel promises to be a great event. Wishing everyone putting on a number/plate the best of rides!
4Five+ have a few events coming up in the month ahead - watch the socials for some upcoming rides in Perth. We are also excited to be hosting a Women’s Health Week event on Sunday 11 September - Pelvic Health for Active Women, led by physios from Body Logic.
Our marquee event is the 4F Sanctuary Twilight Criterium Series, scheduled for three consecutive Saturday afternoons November 19-December 3. More grades, more capacity, more skills sessions, more food, more FUN! Pencil it in your diary and start thinking about your team of three :-)
Online Calendar available via the Members Area of the website.
NEW KIT ORDER OPEN!
Women's pro/race + Men's team/classic cut jersey & knicks, unisex gilet.
Order via escape.cc website here: https://escape.cc/products/4f?_pos=1&_sid=c160cfcc1&_ss=r
Size guide on the escape website, kit for trying on at Ride Advice Milligan St Perth.
Order closes Sunday 21 August so the kit will arrive in plenty of time for our ToMR teams.
AGM - Monday 5 September via ZOOM - members check your email for invitations.
LOOKING BACK
4F Femmes have been enjoying success across a number of disciplines. Tracey Chapman and Anjii Coleman took out the top two steps at the recent WA AusCycling Cyclocross State Championships. Jenny Sammons and Vanessa Johnson both won their age groups (uncontested) at the WA AusCycling State Time Trial Championships (pic JDR Photography) - the goal for next year is to have more women participating at the event, which is expertly run by the Australian Time Trials Association (ATTA).
4Five+ is excited to welcome our first Not-For-Profit Corporate Member - the Cycling Development Foundation: Junior Cycling Academy. Read all about it on the facebook page.
We hope you had a chance to listen to 4Five+ Chairperson Deb Kempe on The Amateur Hour podcast - inspirational stuff!
