Easing the pain and lightening the mood
We wanted to help you embrace the beauty and power of your period!
Here at MOOVE, we know all too well that menstrual symptoms can get in the way of celebrating a healthy cycle. So here are some tips and tricks to help you ease the pain, lighten the mood and get you closer to grooving with your flow.
Physical Pain
During your menstrual period, your uterus contracts to help expel its lining, and we experience pain and inflammation as a result. A few ways to ease period pain are to:
1. Turn up the heat
Applying a gentle heat pack to your abdomen or lower back can help ease uterine contractions, increase blood flow and make your craps less painful.
2. Get out the oils
A light, circular massage around your lower abdomen with diluted essential oils like lavender, peppermint or fennel can relax the local area. This simple act of loving and honouring your body in all its processes will also help create new and positive mental associations with your period.
3. Sip something more soothing
Switching your morning coffee to chamomile tea leading up to your period can make a world of difference. Chamomile inhibits pain caused by prostaglandins and encourages menstrual flow. Also, caffeine can intensify period cramps by constricting blood flow.
4. Flow with your Flow
Research has shown that a gentle yoga flow can effectively reduce period pain. Try these simple poses and see how you feel:
- Cat-Cow pose
- Child’s pose
- Plank pose
- Cobra pose
Mood Swings
It’s no secret that things can feel a little off in the days leading up to your period. But did you know that hormones are rising and dropping throughout your entire cycle? Some healthy lifestyle practices during the month can help ease your mind and keep you feeling in control. Try practising:
1. Staying Active
Exercising releases endorphins, our brains’ very own feel-good chemicals. If you’re feeling too low to get up and go, consider just taking a walk in nature. The slightest movement can help get you out of a funk.
2. Structured Sleep
Sleep is integral for your body’s healing and regulatory system. So try to get between 7-9 hours of sleep a night and stick to a routine.
3. Skipping on Sugar
Sugary foods can spike your mood and set you up for an all-mighty crash later down the track. If you’re already facing mood swings, skipping on sugar can reduce their severity.
4. Managing Stress
Unmanaged stress not only can worsen mood swings but studies have shown can in fact also intensify physical symptoms. Manage stress levels by reaching out to loved ones, practising deep breathing or meditation, and spending more time on some relaxing hobbies that you enjoy.
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