Use these simple strategies to take
the edge off that time of the month
1.
Don’t overdo it: There’s nothing worse than
trying to juggle catch-ups with friends and a pile of work when your stomach’s
aching like nobody’s business. Try to keep the week you know Aunt Flo will be
in town relatively quiet - don’t book in too many work or social commitments,
just schedule in time to watch your favorite films or TV shows.
Don’t
book in too many work or social commitments, just schedule in time to watch
your favorite films or TV shows.
2.
Look after your pores: Your skin can get a real
hammering as your hormones dip, so think ahead and give it some TLC the week
before. Cleanse thoroughly, always take off your make-up at night (or go
without if you can), and treat any burgeoning spots with a dab of tea tree oil
to calm down redness.
3.
Plan a treat: Need a haircut? Fancy a cheeky
manicure? Save it up to treat yourself when you need it most. A relaxing scalp
massage and good blow-dry are guaranteed to give you a boost when you’re
feeling a little blah. Just don’t be tempted to go for a complete image
overhaul - this is not the time for a drastic change!
A
relaxing scalp massage and good blow-dry are guaranteed to give you a boost
when you’re feeling a little blah.
4.
Clear out the rubbish: Try to avoid sugar, salt,
coffee and alcohol. It’s tough when cravings strike, but these nasties will
only aggravate any unpleasant symptoms. Coffee is the big one here - a study by
Oregon State University found that drinking two or more cups of coffee a day
can raise you r risk of suffering PMS by two to seven times!
5.
Make a milky drink: A warm, milk-based drink is
comforting, and studies show its calcium content could also help to soother
irritability, aches and bloating. If you don’t eat dairy, top up your calcium
intake with kale and spinach, or pop a supplement.
A
warm, milk-based drink is comforting
6.
Beat stress with scents: Your mood may be all
over the place when PMS strikes and you’re bound to feel grouchy during your
period, too. Help keep your mood steadier with a little aromatherapy. Essential
oils such as bergamot, patchouli and lavender are thought to help relieve
stress, anxiety and depression, as well as beat migraines. If stress is really taking
hold, try Bach Rescue Remedy ($10.35, n&sonsnaturalworld.com) for a little
drop of calm whenever you need it.
7.
Stay active: While it might be tempting to curl
up under a huge pile of duvets, doing some gentle exercise can actually help to
relieve those nasty cramps and prime your brain to handle whatever the day
happens to throw at you. Sidestep the all-guns-blazing circuits’ class or
intensive intervals session and instead aim for a light jog or dynamic yoga
class to stretch out your body and reinvigorate your mind.
Doing
some gentle exercise can actually help to relieve those nasty cramps and prime
your brain to handle whatever the day happens to throw at you.
8.
Go natural: The products you use at this time of
the month can affect the unpleasantness of your symptoms. Upgrade to
all-natural, un-dyed, unscented cotton products to cut down on chemical
exposure. Some women find tampons make cramps worse, so swap them for towels if
you’re prone to bad pains.
9.
Eat chocolate: You probably want to inhale a
family size block of Cadbury’s this week. But if you’re desperate for a sweet
treat, opt for raw chocolate over the regular stuff. It’s a great source of
magnesium, thought to reduce fluid retention, cramping and bloating, and tastes
just as good as your usual treat.
10.
Grab a hottie: When your stomach is twisting
inside out, there’s nothing more soothing than a hottie. We love Zhu-Zhu’s
microwaveable wheat filled and lavender-scented Body Wrap
