Last week’s women’s retreat brought forth many beautiful moments, but one that particularly stands out is the incredible energy surrounding our surf sessions. It’s often said that surfing benefits for women can be transformative, but I’ve seen firsthand just how impactful it can be, especially for women’s health. I wanted to take a moment to reflect on how this powerful activity has played a pivotal role in my own wellness journey, particularly as I navigate the early stages of perimenopause.
For many, surfing is simply a thrilling outdoor adventure, a chance to connect with the ocean, catch some waves, and soak up the sun. However, beyond the exhilaration, surfing benefits for women extend much further, offering profound physical and mental health advantages, making it an excellent form of exercise for women, especially those experiencing hormonal changes. From a fitness perspective, surfing is essentially a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout, known for its ability to boost cardiovascular health. This is critical for women, as hormone fluctuations, particularly during perimenopause, can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Maintaining heart health becomes even more important during this life phase.
But for me, surfing benefits go much deeper. It’s a personal lifeline.
Surfing Benefits for Women’s Physical and Mental Health
As I transition through early perimenopause, I’ve been encountering heart palpitations and an elevated resting heart rate after ovulation—common yet unsettling symptoms for many women during this stage. These changes caught me off guard, both physically and emotionally. I knew I needed to find a way to regain balance and calm within my body. That’s where surfing benefits became my saviour.
Every time I hit the water, something incredible happens. I emerge from the ocean feeling deeply relaxed, as though the stress and tension that caused the heart palpitations had been washed away by the waves. My heart rate slows down, and those unsettling sensations vanish. It’s as though my body finds its rhythm again, syncing with the movement of the water and the natural flow of the ocean. The calming effect of connecting with nature while engaging in movement is transformative.
For those of us navigating hormonal imbalances or perimenopause, we often feel a sense of instability, not just in our bodies but in our minds as well. Surfing requires presence, focus, and surrender to nature, bridging the gap and reconnecting us to both body and mind. This makes surfing benefits for women an essential part of maintaining physical and mental health during life transitions like perimenopause.
Perimenopause Exercise Relief: Surfing as Therapy
Perimenopause exercise relief can take many forms, but surfing has been uniquely powerful in soothing the symptoms I’ve experienced. Beyond its physical demands, surfing provides mental clarity and peace, relieving the stress and anxiety that often accompany hormonal fluctuations. For me, surfing has become a form of therapy, offering a meditative state that allows me to let go of worry and be fully in the moment.
Perimenopause exercise relief is not just about the workout itself but about finding movement that brings joy and calm. For some, that may be yoga or walking in nature. For others, it could be dancing or swimming. The key is to discover the activity that offers both physical relief and emotional balance. For me, surfing has done just that.
Finding Your Own Perimenopause Exercise Relief
In my journey through perimenopause, I’ve learned that staying active and finding the right movement practice is essential for maintaining both physical and mental health. For me, surfing is one of those practices besides my somatic strength training & yoga-pilates practice. It not only gives me a solid workout, challenging my muscles and heart, but it also soothes the emotional and hormonal turbulence that comes with this phase of life. Perimenopause exercise relief is all about movement that helps you feel good in your body and mind.
If you’re navigating perimenopause or dealing with hormone imbalances, I encourage you to explore activities that help balance both your body and mind. Maybe it’s not surfing for you—perhaps it’s yoga, dancing, walking in nature, or even swimming. The key is to find what works for you, something that brings you joy, moves your body, and quiets your mind. Movement is medicine, and surfing benefits for women are just one way to manage the sometimes overwhelming symptoms of perimenopause.
In the end, it’s about tuning into your body and recognizing what it needs. As women, we’re often juggling so much, from careers to families, and it’s easy to overlook our own well-being. But moments like these, where we connect with ourselves through movement, are vital to our health, especially as we age and our bodies go through significant hormonal shifts.
For me, surfing is one of my main go-to's. It’s where I find my strength, calm, and balance. It’s more than just a sport; it’s a form of therapy and a way to reconnect with my body and soul.
What’s your go-to? What activity helps you feel grounded, empowered, and at ease with the changes your body is experiencing?
If you’re still searching for that perfect activity, don’t give up. There’s something out there that will not only support your physical health but will also bring peace to your mind. Whether it’s catching waves or finding stillness in a yoga pose, movement can be a profound healing tool.
With love,
Shaini
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