Every woman gets their period once a month from the time they begin puberty to the time they go through menopause. For females, a monthly menstrual period is just another fact of life. However, periods can be extremely difficult to endure. Many women experience horrible cramps, mood swings, cravings, and other negative symptoms during their period. All of these symptoms can significantly disrupt a woman’s life for the duration of her period. For some women, the emotional and physical pain of a period is so taxing that it prevents them from carrying out normal daily activities.
No one should have to be miserable and in pain for one week out of every month. Especially because men don’t have periods at all and many women hardly notice negative side effects of menstruation, this suffering just doesn’t seem fair. Fortunately, all hope is not lost. There are many easy, simple ways to improve your life while you’re on your period. These simple tricks and lifestyle changes can transform the way you view your menstrual cycle and prevent you from dreading the inevitable, recurring date of Aunt Flo’s arrival.
1. Eat Raw
When you’re on your period, try to eat as much raw, fresh food as possible. Raw nuts, raw cacao chocolate, and fresh fruits and vegetables are great choices. Eating raw, fresh foods helps keep your energy up and prevent toxins from entering your body and worsening your PMS symptoms. Plus, eating raw foods like raw chocolate and fruit are healthy ways to satisfy common cravings for rich, sugary foods.
2. Get Enough Vitamins
Getting enough vitamins is very important when you’re on your period. Vitamins B6 and C are especially important. Both of these vitamins are known to help alleviate negative menstrual cycle symptoms in order to help you feel better and more like your normal self while you’re on your period. Eat oranges, strawberries, and kale to get more vitamin C and eat salmon, chicken breast, and sweet potatoes for vitamin B6.
3. Resist the Cravings
If you are someone who experiences cravings during your period, you likely crave sugary, fatty, junk foods. This is a completely normal period symptom. However, it is also one that you should try your best not to indulge.
Eating foods high in sugar and fat while you’re on your period is not going to make you feel better. It might momentarily satisfy your cravings, but it will kill your energy and make you feel sluggish and increasingly emotionally unstable.
4. Start a Flow Journal
A flow journal is a journal that you use to document your period every month. You can use any old notebook or purchase a journal created specifically for this purpose. Every day during your period, document how you are feeling both emotionally and physically. Record your symptoms and any methods you used to alleviate them.
Over time, developing a flow journal will help you get to know and understand your period better. It will also help you determine how best to handle your negative period symptoms in order to achieve the most relief.
5. Be Patient With Yourself
Remember that, no matter how you’re feeling while you’re on your period, it’s completely normal. Many women feel like taking a break while they’re on their period is unjustified because it happens so frequently and is such a normal part of life. However, if your menstrual cycle is particularly tough for you, don’t feel guilty for taking it easy during those few days every month.
6. Use Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil can be a god-send for women who experience skin problems while on their period. It is extremely frustrating to have clear skin all month and then start breaking out with pimples and blemishes when your period arrives.
Use tea tree oil on your skin to alleviate symptoms of breakouts and skin problems caused by your period. Tea tree oil is an excellent natural remedy for these types of breakouts. It is non-irritating and is gentle on your skin. Plus, it does not require any type of prescription like other, harsher acne medications.
7. Stretch
When you’re on your period, vigorous exercise is probably the last thing you feel like doing. However, it is important to keep moving during your cycle even if all you want to do is lay in your bed. Don’t force yourself to jump on the treadmill or the exercise bike.
Instead, replace your regular exercise routine with more gentle movement during your period. Stretching, yoga, and pilates are great workout choices during this time. They are relaxing and can help alleviate cramps. Plus, they get your heart pumping without being too rigorous.
You don’t have to change your whole life around in order to feel better while you’re on your period. Use these easy tricks to improve your life while you’re on your period once and for all.
