Keep cool. Keeping your home cool can help with hot flashes. When experiencing a hot flash, try lowering the room temperature, opening a window, or turning on a fan.

Focus on relaxing. Deep breathing and other relaxation techniques can also help with hot flashes. A good technique to start with is to close your eyes and breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose. Pause a few seconds, then slowly breathe out through your mouth. Repeat 5 to 10 times.

Use hot or cold compresses. When experiencing muscle or joint pain, use a heating pad or an ice pack to help ease discomfort.

Get moving. Sitting or standing for long periods of time can be difficult on muscles and joints. When possible, switch between the two to help ease stiffness or strains. If you mostly sit during the day, try taking a break every 30 minutes to walk and stretch.

Take a break. If you're feeling tired, it can help to take short naps and breaks throughout the day. When napping, remember to keep it short. Napping for 20-30 minutes can help, but any longer may make you feel more tired or groggy.

Talk with your doctor about your diet. The food you eat can make you feel sluggish or more energized. Take note of how you feel after eating certain foods. You might find some foods make you feel more tired while others may give you more energy.

Drink plenty of fluids. Constipation can sometimes be caused by not drinking enough fluids. So try to make sure you're drinking enough water. It may help to start your day with a cup of water or to carry a water bottle when leaving home.

Eat more food with fiber. Constipation can also be caused by a lack of fiber in the diet. You can add more fiber to your diet by eating more vegetables, fruits, and whole grain cereals.

Try the BRAT diet. BRAT stands for Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast. Bland and starchy foods like these are easier on the stomach because they're low in fiber. They can also help you have firmer bowel movements.

Stay hydrated. Diarrhea can dehydrate you. So it's important to drink plenty of fluids. Try staying hydrated by drinking clear liquids like water, broth, or ginger ale.

Try exercising your pelvic floor. To find the muscles in the pelvic floor (lower pelvis), try stopping your stream in the middle of peeing. The muscles you clench are the ones you need to exercise. Squeeze those muscles, hold for 3 seconds, then relax and repeat a few times in a row.

Ask about other options. Your doctor may have information on prescriptions or procedures that may help. Ask your doctor at your next appointment so you can better understand your options.