Over 40s women tackle menopause with new hobbies from gardening to dance, study reveals

A recent study has revealed that the majority of women over 40 refuse to let menopause stop them from pursuing their passions or exploring new interests. Consequently, many have embraced activities such as gardening, mindfulness and even dance lessons. For one in four women, prioritising their health and wellbeing was a significant incentive for picking up a new activity during this period.

Meanwhile, one in five wanted a way to manage their stress or anxiety, and 11% found it boosted their confidence - some even made career changes. Additional advantages of starting a new activity in later life included a sense of achievement, maintaining independence, and having something to look forward to.

The survey was conducted by Vitabiotics Menopace vitamins, which has created an interactive 'Menopause Motivation Map' to showcase the new activities women across the country are embracing during menopause.

The Menopause Motivation Map reveals that women in the East of England have taken up gardening, while those in the East Midlands have been frequenting the gym. In addition, Londoners have enrolled in dance classes to keep themselves busy, and individuals in the South East have shown a keen interest in learning more about healthy eating.

A spokesperson for the specialist supplement commented: "When it comes to the menopause, the old misconception that it slows life down is well and truly outdated. It's great to see the research showing just this, and how so many women have taken up a new activity, volunteering or even a side hustle around the menopause life stage."

Nevertheless, before trying out a new hobby, lack of motivation was cited as the primary barrier by 14%, along with constraints such as limited time and cost. If there were no limitations, 31% expressed a desire to travel around the world, 10% dreamt of writing a book, while 7% fancied a complete makeover.

Two thirds believe it's crucial to share their menopause experiences with others, with many having already done so, in order to inspire others who are also going through it. They suggest that anyone considering taking up a new hobby should 'just go for it'. They also advised not to worry about other people's opinions and to remember that it's never too late to try something new.

Speaking on behalf of Menopace, the spokesperson highlighted the solidarity among women: "Women supporting other women is so important and empowering, at this time. The menopause life stage comes with plenty of myths and misconceptions, so debunking these and showing the positive real experiences of women is key."