How to make your PERIODS a lot better!
An ultimate guide to periods
Period pains are unbearable. And every girl & woman who goes through it would wish not to. Because you’ve got to bear a lot of things…
- PMS
- Bloating
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Vomiting
- Mood swings
- Depression, and a lot of other things.
We all know the symptoms, but what do we do about them? This is something we probably should have learned at school — and yet, we didn’t.
In this article, we’ll go over the things you should consider doing first, and then things you should avoid at all cost.
So let’s dive in!
What to do
- Light exercise
Exercise leads to improved blood flow which reduces cramps. Exercise also releases endorphins, a feel-good hormone that combats the depression. I understand that you mightn’t want to exercise during periods. But a small amount of stretching goes a long way.
You can include these in your routine.
- Walking
- Light stretching
- Yoga
If you can push a little, I recommend a light strength training. But please, avoid strenuous & prolonged exercise. You don’t want to make yourself feel even more exhausted.
Also, don’t forget to change clothes & garments, especially in the summer. Fungal infection can set in faster than you’d think.
2. Drink water
Drinking 10 glasses a day helps you fight bloating and dehydration. And it clears out all toxic substances.
So while you’re resting, sip a glass of water every half an hour.
3. Eat something healthy & delicious
We all know the importance of healthy nutritious food… but we still tend to munch on packaged foods.
I’ve linked some delicious and healthy recipes if you’re looking to change your diet.
You can also eat sesame seeds, which are a house of magnesium & calcium. They also include iron, zinc, phosphorus, molybdenum, selenium & vitamin B1.
I’ve read a lot about its benefits but didn’t know it also has iron which is essential for every lady to consume during these times when we’re bleeding and losing tissues. We must replenish it with healthy food. But we often listen to our taste buds instead, and boom!
4. Hot water bottle/bag
This one is a one-stop solution to all your cramp issues. A hot water bag/bottle helps in soothing muscles, it reduces cramps & provides relaxation.
It’s a real lifesaver during menstruation. If you haven’t tried it, you should!
5. Dark chocolates
A savior indeed because of its high magnesium content. According to Healthline, it relaxes muscles and blocks the production of compounds that signal cramps.
It also has chromium and other essential elements. All in all, a great thing to munch on during your periods.
6. Sleep
I’ve noticed that whenever I get a sound stretch of sleep, my cramps are not as painful as they’d usually be. And it reduces fatigue, discomfort & improves my mood, this is what I’ve observed.
But if you’re skipping deep sleep, chances are you’re already having bad cramps. So instead of scrolling through your feed or binge-watching, consider a better option — 6 to 8 hours of sleep.
7. Nature
Sunshine can prove to be an effective aid during menstruation. By soaking in sunlight for 10–15 mins, you can feel a lot better. Sunlight (in a moderate amount) can prove to be therapeutic.
Grass can also be a great friend in improving your mental health during menstruation. So I’d highly suggest you to walk barefoot on grass.
Walking barefoot improves your eyesight because points are present beneath your feet. These points are linked to our eye’s nerve system. When pressed, it stimulates nerves in the system and thus improves your eyesight
It also helps in increasing blood circulation and increases red blood cells. Which in turn improves immunity and a lot of other benefits.
Menstruating ladies are more prone to mood swings. And walking barefoot on grass calms your nerves and improves your mood.
Now that we’ve discussed what to do, let’s discuss the other side of the picture too.
What not to do -
Avoid scented products at all costs because they can fluctuate your pH level. Fluctuations in pH levels can bring a lot of other health issues. Instead, bathe daily, keep private parts clean and fresh & maintain hygiene.
If you wish to seek more cramps, you can eat dairy products. Because dairy products increase cramps and thereby cause more pain. So avoid this as much as you can.
Because of the bloating stomach, it might make sense to you to skip meals. But you should avoid this. Instead, eat light & nutritious food.
Avoid caffeine too. Caffeine blocks the production of hormones which make blood vessels smaller. As a result, blood flow decreases. Something which slows down your blood flow should be avoided at all cost. According to Flow health, better alternatives could be Ginseng, black tea, and green tea.
However, in my view, one should avoid tea and coffee at all costs. They have less nutrient quantity and won’t serve your body anyway
During my teenage years, I remember my mom used to emphasize the importance of not taking any pain killers.
All I understood was, that medications can help control (/stop) this unbearable period of pain. I used to see other girls taking pills and medications to control the pain and I also wanted it. But she’d never allowed me, and I thought she was heartless.
Now I don’t take pain killers, because lifestyle changes are enough for me.
Of course, if the pain exceeds then you should consult a doctor. Because in some cases — like PCOS & PCOD — females have to go through unbearable pain. In their case, drugs are the best option and doctors will recommend the right ones.
But in general? I don’t think medication is a good idea, as it may cause more problems down the line.
Final thoughts
In the end, you should take good care of yourself. Because every goal you wish to achieve is going to be possible because of your health. Being on your period may slow you down sometimes, but don’t let it stop you.
So take care of yourself and god bless!
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