From excessive water retention to mood swings, everything is more difficult when we experience annoying period symptoms. Did you know an average woman spends about 8-9 years menstruating during her lifetime? That’s a huge chunk of time spent being uncomfortable! I collected some tips and tricks to get comfy during our monthly friend visitation.
Keep It Clean
This is a basic rule. Feminine products can cause vaginal pH imbalance so make sure to change them often and take showers or bathe.
Eat Dark Chocolate
Sounds too good to be true? It’s not! Dark chocolate can alleviate multiple period symptoms like bloating, fatigue, and irritability [1]. Just make sure to pick a good quality dark chocolate (at least 65% cacao).
Take It Easy
A period often makes us feel sluggish or sleepy. The time of our period is the time to pamper ourselves!. Try not to work too hard and avoid extreme dieting. Just focus on getting a good rest.
Let It Out
Our hormones drive us nuts. I feel like I’m drowning in my own emotions. I’m not the one to cry, but there’s a time my tears just come down uncontrollably without any significant reasons. If this happens to you too, just let it take its course. Crying has a relaxing effect, and don’t be ashamed of taking advantage of it.
Have A Relaxing Bath/Shower Time
Taking a warm bath not only helps you relax and improve your overall sleep quality but also promotes blood flow to ease cramps.
Painful cramping is caused by contraction of the uterus muscle [2]. Adding some Epsom salt in bath water can benefit you. The magnesium in Epsom salt helps to relax these uterine muscles.
Focus on What You Like
Try doing some activities that can take your attention away from the uncomfortable feeling of the menstruation. Listening to music, watching movies, reading books or anything that can break your negative thought train is good.
Stay Away from Caffeine and Alcohol
Whether you like a cup of joe to keep you going or a glass of margarita at the end of the day, they could worsen your period related symptoms. Caffeine in coffee can lead to tension, anxiety, trouble sleeping, and amplified exhaustion [3]. Alcohol dehydrates you like no other and the dehydration can make your cramps even worse [4]. Instead, try chamomile tea, ginger tea, hot chocolate or some mocktail.
Painkiller
There may be a time that painkillers are needed to get rid of the uncomfortable feelings. When you are already hurting a lot, painkillers do not work as well. So if you know the monthly pain is coming, take the pill early as a preventative measure.
Light Workout
I get it. The last thing we want to do during our menses is to exercise. But Light workout is proven to promote blood flow and eases cramps. Yoga is my favorite go-to workout. It’s easy on my body and makes me feel so much better afterwards.
Take Vitamin Pills
Certain vitamins ease annoying period symptoms. Omega-3s, B vitamins, and vitamin D are the ones most commonly needed [5]. Other vitamins like iron, magnesium, and calcium can also benefit some people depending on their health conditions. To simplify, I take one multi-vitamin pill a day to cover any missing vitamins needed in my body.
Summary
Period symptoms are seriously annoying for many women and I can definitely relate. These tips and tricks are to help you get through the time of your month and I hope these help. If you have your own trick to get through your awful period symptoms, please do share in the comment area. I’d love to hear about it!
