So it’s that time of the month and all you can think about is lying in bed in the fetal position with your favorite pillow to cuddle and a pile of comfort food in your refrigerator to keep you mellowed out. The menstrual is never an easy cycle to deal with, and every woman’s got her own horror story to tell. Sometimes you’re exceptionally moody, your stress levels soar up increasingly fast, or sometimes you’re in so much pain, you can’t even move. There are several ways to help beat the blues during your cycle, and here are some tips that can give you some natural ways that will give you some relief.
1. Exercise
Although getting on our feet and moving around is the last thing we can imagine doing while we’re on our period, yet exercise is one of the most natural methods to ease the pain. You don’t have to engage in high-energy exercises like aerobics, but you can certainly start with a 30 minute walk at a leisurely pace, which will ease the pain of your cramps, and possibly lighten the flow a little. Stress-reduction activities like yoga and meditation can also ease the pain of menstrual cramps.
2. Eat Right
During your menstrual cycle, the loss of blood can result to a decrease the level of iron in your blood, so remember to consume iron-rich foods such as red meat and leafy greens during your cycle. Have lots of vitamin-rich foods too, and increase your intake of fibre during your cycle as it helps cleanse the body of excess estrogen, which helps lower the pain and minimize your blood-flow.
It’s a given that whenever it’s “shark week”, we immediately trade our tight skinny jeans for stretchy leggings and maxi dresses. This is because wearing tight clothing during your cycle will put pressure on your abdominal area, resulting to more painful menstrual cramps. Also remember not to wear too much makeup as you’ll be experiencing hot flushes during your cycle, causing your makeup to melt a little.
4. Sleep in Different Positions
Everyone’s got concerns when it comes to finding the ‘safest’ sleeping position during the cycle to avoid having unwanted stains. But there are a couple of strategic sleeping position that can help give you comfort. The fetal position, where you lay on your side with your knees are tucked close to your chest can help reduce the pain, while laying face down on the bed can also help relieve gas. If you prefer lying on your back, you can keep your feet elevated with the help of some pillows which can help relax your abdominal muscles and even help with keeping pesky stains away!
What are your techniques to relieve your menstrual cramps? Share with us in our Forum.
