We love when our family come to visit. But, when Aunt Flo decides to drop by too – well, she can go home.
Ladies, we know that your period is a sign that you are healthy and that your reproductive system is working well. But, we also know that it can also lead to many unwanted side effects.
Cramps, fatigue and mood swings…sound familiar?
It’s such an emotional rollercoaster that can drive you mad, angry, and frustrated. And if you’re someone who isn’t really affected by PMS, we’re jealous.
For the rest of us, there are concrete things you can do to improve your mood and help you get through those blues and we’re about to share ALL the tea.
Let’s dive in, okay?
How to improve your mood during your period
So your period is coming up and you’re feeling a little…uncomfortable. You want to be productive and get things done, but instead you feel tired, bloated, and meh.
As if literally bleeding wasn’t hard enough – now we have to deal with these additional feelings too?
We’ll cover some ways to improve your mood during your period to make it as bearable as possible.
♡ Track your symptoms.
Tracking your symptoms and emotions during your period can help you identify the causes of your PMS symptoms and on what day of your menstrual cycle they usually occur. This, in turn, will help you discover foods and supplements that can help with these symptoms. Plus, you’ll be prepared for your own moods! LOL.
Tracking your symptoms can also help your doctors and nutritionists make helpful and healthy suggestions. For example, your nutritionist can suggest things like eating more fiber-rich foods to combat the severity of your periods. Or, a doctor may link your mood swings to low calcium levels and prescribe calcium supplements.
The thing is, tracking your symptoms can help you determine the cause of each symptom and then treat it accordingly.
♡ Drink plenty of water.
Water is the best mood-boosting drink during your period.
You’ve probably heard of the term “water weight,” which means drinking lots of water can make you feel bloated and even put on a few pounds, but that’s not true.
While drinking full of water is one of the best ways to boost your mood during your period, and it has nothing to do with bloating or weight gain. The truth is that drink more water helps improve your estrogen levels, which are naturally lower when you have your period. This means fewer PMS symptoms and an overall better mood.
Tip: Don’t just drink plain water. For extra hydration, opt for coconut water, chlorophyll wateror add IV fluid (use code SKINNY) to hydrate twice as fast.
♡ Eat healthy fats.
Did you know that healthy fats are the key to improving your mood and reducing the physical and emotional symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS)?
As it turns out, THE hormones – estrogen and progesterone – are responsible for regulating your blood sugar. Which, in turn, affects serotonin levels in your brain. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter responsible for making you feel happy and relaxed, which is why healthy fats are so important during PMS.
Even more, etc.Eating healthy fats can help prevent symptoms associated with PMS by improving blood sugar and balancing estrogen levels. When these two hormones are balancedit can help you control your mood in the days leading up to your period, and even after.
♡ Take a walk.
Everyone has heard the advice: take a walk to lift your spirits. But, it is not always so simple.
When you’re on your period, it can feel like your brain is going through a roller coaster of emotions, ranging from depression to anger to anxiety and back again. And while going for a walk can help alleviate some of these feelings, there are other things to consider when it comes to how physical activity can affect your mental health.
If you want a quick pick-me-up, try brisk walking for 30 minutes or more. It can help increase levels of serotonin – a brain chemical known for its ability to make us happy – and decrease levels of cortisol (a hormone associated with stress).
Note: Harder, more intense exercises can actually increase cortisol and contribute to low mood. That’s why a walk can be better than a HIIT class.
♡ Do a light workout.
There are lots of things you can do to calm yourself down on your period, but let’s be honest: sometimes you just want to hit something. That’s why we recommend you’re doing a slow, easy run or doing a slow, weighted workout.
Exercise can help improve your mood and energy levels, and may even help reduce symptoms like bloating and cramping. So grab your activity bracelet, put on your sneakers and get moving!
If running isn’t your thing, try taking a yoga Or Pilates classes or going to the gym with friends. If you can’t come this week, maybe consider signing up for a class next month so you have something fun to look forward to when your period returns.
The best way to beat stress and boost your mood is to exercise. It can help you feel more energized and confident, which will help you get through those early days of cramping and bloating.
♡ Treat yourself.
During your period, estrogen levels drop and progesterone levels rise, which means some foods will taste better than usual and others will be unappetizing. So give in to some of your cravings.
There is nothing wrong with having fun in chocolate or other comfort foods when this happens – in fact, it can help boost your mood. Need gourmet inspiration? Check confectionery department from the blog.
But in addition to your cravings, we also suggest leafy greens and other greens for help fight PMS symptoms. Who knows, this Double Stuff Oreo could be the deciding factor between a shitty day and a great day. So treat yourself…you deserve it.
♡ Take care of yourself.
Like really having fun, you know? Take a day for yourself, put your phone on ‘do not disturb’ and take care of YOU. If you don’t know where to start, check out the Skin & Beauty section of our Amazon Showcase to find different ways to pamper yourself AND lift your spirits. You will find everything you need for a complete zen situation at home, plus the HOT MESS ice cream roller And ROSE BALLS Face Massager to take care of any deflation and bloating you may have.
I hope this article has taught you some helpful tips to keep your period not so bad. Oh to be a woman.
x, The Skinny Confidential Team
+ learn some tips for staying consistent with diet and exercise here.
++ follow Lauryn’s Airsculpt experience here.
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