ever feel you are always on the edge, not just around your period? some report feeling like a ticking time bomb when they are pms-ing or pmdd-ing, but as an emotional person, i find it hard to know if it’s feelings or hormones messing with my daily routine.
unlike the pms or pmdd symptoms which show up in the two weeks leading to the period, my mood swings are always around. i thought something was wrong with me but this drawing by nina cosford offers a funny yet honest glimpse into what it’s like to live with a uterus and ovaries.
a constant state of emotional flux needs its own kind of personal care. but personal care is exactly what it sounds - personal.
only you know what you need to get through those times. you may not feel hijacked by your emotions every month, but maybe you get terrible cramps.
or maybe you are a heavy bleeder and bleed through your pads or tampons every few hours?
however you experience periods, only you can build a care plan that works for your well-being.
begin by asking what kind of self-care do you need. is it physical, mental, or emotional? depending on what takes the hardest hit during periods, you can focus on one or all three.
when it comes to physical care, exercise doesn’t sound like the best thing when you are already going through awful cramps. but it actually relieves them and improves your mood.
regular workouts are even better than just moving your body in the hell week.
your cycle and period are a window into your overall health. diet, alcohol, exercise, sex, work, smoking habits, relationships, stress, and weight changes all determine whether your periods are late or early, easy or painful, and light or heavy.
what you do now can have a positive impact on future periods. by working out regularly, you not only take charge of physical health, but also start being proactive towards your period care needs.
<aside> 🔆 also read: late again? do this to get your periods
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as you try to clock in more workouts, eat healthy, avoid junk, drink enough water, and get 8 hours of sleep. a relaxing massage is also **a great way to cure horrible cramps.**
for neha, mental health is top priority when she starts pmsing. to avoid straining her relationship with her boyfriend, she goes ‘no contact’ with him. but mental self-care doesn’t have to be that extreme. to stay sane during hard times, tune into a podcast, dance to your favorite tunes, read a book, listen to soothing music, or solve puzzles.
take a break from social media or write letters to your future-self about your dreams.
it’s easy to confuse mental self-care with emotional one. while the former focuses on your mind, emotional self-care is all about dealing with heavy feelings like sadness or anxiety.
it’s okay to be overwhelmed by emotions. what’s important is to know it’s temporary and not make big decisions with serious consequences.
to practice emotional self-care, talk to loved ones, watch that cringe movie, journal your feelings, cry it out listening to a senti spotify playlist, or see a therapist, if you have access to therapy.
knowing your cycle is another proactive step towards period self-care. your cycle starts from the first day of your period and ends on the first day of the next.
it has four phases, with each one having some (or a lot!) power over your energy levels, mood, sleep, sexual desire, fertility, appetite, interest in going out, productivity, sleep, focus, and the need for rest.
by staying in sync with them, you can plan your daily life events around the best times and significantly improve the quality of your health, career, and relationships.