So many women suffer with irregular, painful and unpredictable periods. I hear from many of my clients that complain that their periods are so disruptive. These women are ruled and even defined by them. The truth is our menstrual cycle is a natural part of a woman’s life. It should be embraced and nurtured. So many of you may be rolling your eyes at this point. This is the truth and I am here to tell you not to believe the hype. Many of us have been taught at such a young age that this is the worst part of the month filled with tears, rage, dreaded cravings and pain. Our periods are not supposed to be so painful and disruptive. We are not meant to feel terrible for weeks prior. Our cycles can bring shifts in hormones that can affect us in certain ways but I am here to tell you that it can be so much better. There are always certain cases where women have a diagnosed medical condition that can really affect their cycles. I am not here to deny any of that. I have experimented with many of these tips and tricks and found they work for most women. You have to trust your intuition and really tune into your body. Tap into that girl power and you can change the way you feel and even your thought patterns around your period.
I am a health coach after all so in my opinion one of the best ways to get started is to look at your diet. What you put in your body contributes to everything. Food greatly affects your period and PMS. Eating a diet rich in whole foods, with a focus on calorie density not calorie counting is key. Limiting your sugar can really help maintain stable blood sugar. This will help with that tired feeling. This is also helpful if you suffer with polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS where blood sugar is key. I like foods rich in B vitamins to help you through your cycle. B vitamins can be found in your leafy greens, organic pasture raised eggs, whole grains, nuts and seeds.
Another tip that is key is sleep. This may sound a tad out there for some but hear me out. Before modern times women were thought to sync their cycle with the moon phases. There are studies that show if you sleep in complete darkness, and then add in a night light and or sleep with the blinds open during the full moon, it can regulate your cycle. This can also help align your circadian rhythm to promote a better nights sleep. Keep blue light to a minimum before bed. Opt for a meditation or a sleep story instead.
Many women are not even aware of all the harsh chemicals in our beauty and hygiene
products. This means your pads and tampons too. Many menstrual products contain bleach, synthetic plastics and carcinogenic materials. Get empowered and do some research on the brand your currently using and see for yourself. These chemicals can greatly affect your hormones and your body over time. There are lots of alternatives out now which are better for our bodies and better for the environment. Some great brands are Cora, Rael and Seventh generation.
There is no doubt that people in our country are more stressed than ever. We all know that stress does a number on our quality of life. Stress alone can cause women to have
amenorrhea, which is the absence of a period for an extended period of time. Stress can
also cause irregular cycles and raging PMS. This is why it is super important to have an
outlet to manage your stress. Take time for yourself. Reconnect with nature. Enjoy time
with family and friends. And keep your body moving.
I encourage my clients to track their cycles and symptoms each month. This can empower you to discover what works for you. There are so many apps out now that make this very easy. This can be a great tool to uncovering patterns with food and stress, which will help you make better choices. As silly as it may sound I hope you take the time to see your period differently and truly embrace everything it means to be a woman.
Cali J. Freyn
Holistic Health and Wellness Coach
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