"Heating pads are a lifesaver for period pains"
Periods can be a real pain for many women, from the cramps, hormonal changes and excessive bloating.
Every month becomes a war zone in a sense and for many there are casualties, whether it’s that pair of underwear you really like or your mascara from the sudden bouts of crying.
Although we all know that having a period is a sign that your body is working properly and that you’re not pregnant, it is a messy hassle that many of us just don’t want to deal with.
There are many tips out there to help smooth the process along. DESIblitz gives you the best tips out there for your period.
Eat Dark Chocolate
Now we all know that the cravings for milk chocolate are strong when someone is on their period, however all milk chocolate are filled with a lot of sugar which is not good for cramping.
Go for dark chocolate instead as the 70% cacao content helps the body regain the magnesium that is lost.
Dark chocolate also has lots of good antioxidants which have been linked to boosting the serotonin levels in your body, which can help with improving your mood.
Drink Water
With periods come a lot of fatigue and feeling bloated, which is why it’s more important during this week to stay hydrated.
During your period you’re already losing quite a lot of blood and water, so chug as much as possible and resist the urge to drink fizzy and sugary drinks.
Get Out Period Stains
Periods are well known for being messy and ruining all of your clothing, but instead of throwing out all of your underwear use a mix of 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide and 3/4 cup of water to get out period stains.
Pour this mix on the stain and let it soak for a while before washing your clothes.
Stay Away From Caffeine
Staying away from caffiene is important during your period as professional chef and healthy living expert Jennifer Iserloh says:
“Caffeine can increase stomach acid and be rough on sensitive intestines. If you want a rich-tasting coffee substitute, try my traditional Indian chai.”
What You Should Be Eating
When it comes to what you’re eating on your period, it’s very important to pick and choose what will make you feel the best.
As menstruation includes a lot of consecutive blood loss, so it’s vital that you get those lost nutrients back.
Whole Grain
Whole grains are great to eat as things like Oats and Whole Wheats provide your body with B-complex vitamins and Vitamin E which helps a lot with fatigue and mood swings. They can also help with PMS if you eat the one hour before sleeping.
Pineapple
Like we said before, it’s important to get magnesium in your food during your period, and pineapple is packed with it, this can help with decreasing the period flow. Pineapple also has bromine in it, which can work as a muscle relaxant and therefore also helps with cramps.
Legumes
Legumes are great to eat whilst on your period as they are high in fibre which helps a lot with water retention and congestive problems and they’re packed with Vitamin B which aids in a lot of other problems associated with periods.
Yogurt
Although during your period you should shy away from a lot of dairy as it has arachidonic acids which can lead to cramping. Yoghurt is great in small amounts as it is high in calcium which helps the body to relieve menstrual pains.
Broccoli and Kale
Broccoli and Kale are great superfoods to try out as they’re packed with vitamins and are loaded with antioxidants. Plus they also have calcium, so it will help on all fronts to relive your body of all the problems related to periods.
Use a Heating Pad
Heating pads are a lifesaver for period pains, they help to soothe pads and leave you feeling warm and toasty inside. Alternatively if you don’t have one, just have a hot bath – it works the same and you can also treat yourself to bubbles.
Track Your Periods
When you’re out and about doing their day to day business it’s really hard to keep track of your menstrual cycle, especially when it can be a tad irregular.
In this day and age there are many apps out there to help you with this and even allow you to document pain levels and your period flow.
Apps like the Period Tracker can help you keep a record of when your period is coming, so it doesn’t start when you least expect it.
Locate Your Pressure Points
When it comes to cramps, it’s a painful ordeal. And for many, pain pills and fancy vitamins simply won’t cut it, however if you isolate your pressure points and lightly massage them the pain will be dealt with in a completely natural way.
This helps a lot because you’ll know when your period is coming and have time to prepare yourself for it.
With these tips your next period will be smooth sailing, no longer will you be a victim to horrific cramps and discomfort.