Mental Health: Why lockdown is especially hard for some women over 40
Lockdown anxiety is tough on everyone, but extremely hard on the mental health of some women over 40


By Matt Evans
Lockdown is especially hard on our mental health. When we're unable to see friends and relatives in person on a regular basis, it can be a real strain and a trigger for anxiety and depression. In some cases, people are unable to work, adding financial pressures onto the already-potent cocktail of mental health triggers.
This can be especially hard for some women over 40, as one new survey revealed.
The survey, conducted by wellness brand CBII, interviewed 2000 women over 40 who were experiencing menopause. The menopause can bring on anxiety, which creates symptoms such as constant worrying, disturbed sleep and a physical release of adrenaline.
According to the survey, an enormous 73% of participants found that life in lockdown was making these symptoms of anxiety worse. A further 45% of participants found anxiety was disturbing their sleep.
Experiencing anxiety during, after and even about menopause is quite common in a lot of women. As women enter the perimenopause, the production of oestrogen, testosterone and progesterone hormones starts to change, eventually declining. This can cause a number of changes in the body, but our hormone levels don't just affect our physical health: changes in the body also affect our mental health too.
This can be a difficult time for many women. However, according to the CBII study, 86% of respondents haven’t even discussed menopause in general, never mind symptoms of anxiety, with their GP.
The UK's NHS website suggests practices like yoga, Tai Chi and meditation to help alleviate anxious feelings. Alternatively, CBD has shown promise as a treatment for anxiety, although as it is a new practice, scientific studies remain inconclusive.
We've got plenty of menopause resources here on Fit&Well to help you navigate this difficult time. You can find help with menopause and anxiety, and some of the best menopause supplements to treat it. You can find even more information below:
- Menopause joint pain: Ways to treat it
- Menopausal weight gain: Everything you need to know
- Menopause diet: What to eat to ease your symptoms
- Best vitamins for women over 50
-
-
Lots of people feel anxious about going out after lockdown, according to research
Coronavirus "Home separation anxiety" is a thing. Here's why some of us are finding it tough to shake off lockdown mental health woes
By Matt Evans •
-
"I will treasure this feeling forever": meet our Trainer of the Year!
Awards 47-year-old Emma Goodman-Horne was crowned Fit&Well's Trainer of the Year from a 70-strong longlist
By Stephanie Wood •
-
Fit&Well Awards: Gymshark and Marcus Rashford are amongst our Headline Award winners!
Awards Plus the results of our exciting nominated-by-the-public Trainer of the Year award...
By Stephanie Wood •
-
Fit&Well Awards: meet our Healthy Home Heroes!
Awards Discover the products that will help you to a healthier, happier home life
By Stephanie Wood •
-
Here's why getting a good night's sleep is so important
Sleep Getting a good night's sleep is vital for your brain health, especially as an older adult
By Matt Evans •
-
How to stop snoring, according to expert scientific sleep advice
Sleep Good stop snoring advice is hard to find, but here's the expert's opinion on this harmful nightly noise
By Matt Evans •
-
How to meditate: Best meditation apps, beginner's guide to mindfulness and more
Mindfulness Meditation is more popular than ever. This is our official "how to meditate" guide to getting started
By Matt Evans •
-
Best sunrise alarm clocks: wake-up lights to start the day right
Buying guide Our edit of the best sunrise alarm clocks, designed to help you spring out of bed feeling alert and ready to face the day
By Fit&Well •
-
Best mattress toppers: Upgrade your bed and enjoy a sumptuous night’s sleep
Sleep The best mattress toppers can transform your bed, helping you sleep better - and wake up happier
By Emily Peck •
-
Using your phone in bed is bad for your health (and can ruin your sleep)
Sleep Blue light can damage your sleep, which increased your chance of heart failure. Ditch the phone for better sleep and longer life
By Matt Evans •