Periods are red,
You are feeling blue,
Are hormones still messing with you?
Periods can be frustrating and annoying. You bleed, suffer inconsolable pain, crave bizarre combinations, and still get to walk the Earth like everything is fine. That’s harsh! And thanks to premenstrual syndrome or PMS, you start feeling all this even before you are on your periods.
Well, it might help you create a life, which is undoubtedly fantastic, but it’s not something every woman looks forward to every month. We get it, bloating, cravings, roller coaster of emotions, and staining your favorite outfits- everything can be rough.
How about we tell you that there are a few hacks that can help with your periods. Yes, that’s possible. So, let’s unveil some of them to put you at ease during the most uncomfortable time.
- Say NO to salty snacks.
There is one good thing about periods, you can snack without feeling guilty about putting on weight. But it doesn’t mean that you pick up the first thing you see in Target, especially not the salty ones.
A recent survey clearly shows that women who eat a lot of salty snacks tend to face severe bloating, feel horrible cramps, and fluid retention. And that’s not at all healthy.
But that doesn’t mean you cut back on salt completely. In the United States, FDA recommends that one shouldn’t exceed the sodium intake limit of over 2,300 milligrams. This is because too much salt can increase blood pressure which can further lead to cardiovascular diseases.
But if you experience some awful menstrual cramps, it is better to take a toll on salt during your periods.
- Make a period kit in advance.
If you experience irregular periods, then chances are periods might catch you off guard. So, it is better that you are prepared for it all the time rather than making those emergency trips to the supermarket. This means that you need to keep things like tampons, a pair of period pants, pills, and everything else that you think you’ll be needing during your periods in one place.
For instance, suppose you are enjoying a road trip with your friends on a road trip and your period makes a surprise visit. Then this period kit can actually come in handy and help in saving your trip.
- Yoga can help you feel relaxed.
According to health experts, each individual experiences their period differently. Most of them are forced to stay in bed curled up in pain. During this time, many refrain from exercising. But you’ll be surprised to know that there are a few yoga postures that can help alleviate cramps and ease your pain. So, it is better to try some of those positions rather than cuddling all day with a heating pad between your legs.
One of which is the Seated Straddle position. In this, you are required to open your legs wide. You might not be able to reach the optimum depth, which is fine because you are menstruating. Try to sit in an upright position and stretch the inner thighs.
You can try any of the yoga postures with which you feel relaxed and comfortable afterward.
- Go stain-free with period pants.
How many times did you have to part with your favorite dress due to period stains? Or how many times did you feel heartbroken after the period blood ruined your perfect set of underwear? What if we tell you that we have a superb way to keep your outfits and underwear safe from being murdered by bloodstains?
No, we are not talking about layering up on your pads. We are talking about embracing the perks of using period pants. It helps with free blood flow without staining your outfit. Plus, these pants also make you say goodbye to those nasty rashes on your inner thighs that are not only irritating but also painful.
Using period pants instead of traditional tampons, pads, or menstrual cups makes you feel a little bit free and extremely comfortable while menstruating. Also, these pants can absorb much more blood than a regular pad or tampon, making them a perfect choice for women who experience heavy blood flow. And let’s not forget using these pants is also a sustainable and eco-friendly option. These pants also make a good travel companion as they don’t make you feel uncomfortable and frustrated. This means that you can add them to your period kit as well.
- Spruce up your iron intake
You’ll be surprised to know that heavy blood flow or menorrhagia affects every 1 out of 5 women in the United States. And when you lose a lot of blood during your periods, you might also end up losing more blood cells than your body can produce.
Also, the reason you might be craving a juicy red steak while you are on your period could be because of your fluctuating iron levels, says the health experts. This reduction of iron levels in your system might lead to severe health issues such as anemia. So, instead of going for a big fat greasy burger or a sandwich, try other healthy alternatives such as spinach or kale to spruce up your iron level.
- Have some dark chocolate
Do you often crave chocolate whenever you are menstruating? This is because your serotonin levels drop and cortisol levels elevate at the same time. For those, who love to grab a bite of dark chocolate, there’s good news for you. Apart from tasting good and making your skin feel flawless, dark chocolate with at least 65% of cocoa helps fight those horrible cramps. It elevates your mood by releasing endorphins, and magnesium eases your pain.
To sum it all up,
Being on periods is a blessing in disguise. You get to create life, and the feeling is inexplicable. But the process doesn’t have to be painful and stressful. Fortunately, the tips mentioned above can help you stay comfortable and happy during those special days of the month. Use them, and share the tricks with all your female friends so that they can be at ease too.
