All females can agree that being a female isn’t easy, specifically when we’re on our period. Being on our period is the worse, especially when the cramps are really bad. When we’re hurting we start popping more pills than a drug addict just to get rid of the pain, and that’s not good for our body and sometimes the medication doesn’t even work. Well I’ve done some research and I found 6 different ways to relieve yourself from cramps.
- Eat anti-inflammatory foods. Even though all we want to do is stuff our faces in chocolate and ice cream when we’re on our period, eating anti-inflammatory foods will help get rid of the cramps and it’s proven that omega-3 in the form of fish oil is better than taking ibuprofen. Some foods we can eat that are anti-inflammatory is salmon, eggs, olive or coconut oils.
- Eat foods that are mineral-rich and that contain antioxidants. Eating mineral-rich fruits such as berries, cherries, bananas and squash can help ease pains and spasms. If we also eat foods that contain magnesium it will help soothe muscle cramps. If we eat foods that have zinc like crabs and lobsters it can reduce cramps. Zinc has the ability to relieve the production of the hormones that cause the cramps.
- Yoga or Light Exercise. None of us like getting out of our sweats and oversized shirts to get into regular clothes or even yoga pants but doing yoga or light exercise can help ease some pain. When exercising remember to do something light like yoga or light aerobics. And if not, you try poses like the Camel, Cat-Cow or Cobra poses.
- Avoid Caffeine and Processed Foods. The hormones that cause the cramps, prostaglandins, are heightened when we consume sugar. Our stress hormones increase when inflammation does, and it causes even more inflammation. Caffeine is also a bad thing to take when you’re on your period. The caffeine constricts blood vessels and increase muscle tension which contributes to the cramps.
- Hot baths and heating pads. The heat from the bath and heating pads can relieve muscle contractions, increase circulation and open blood vessels. The more time you apply heat, there will be less pain. If you don’t have a heating pad you can fill a sock up with rice and put it in the microwave for 30 seconds. It sounds weird, but it actually works. I have my own sock of rice.
- There are herbal remedies that can help reduce cramps. You can try raspberry leaf tea, ginger, fennel and yarrow.
Listen to your body when you’re on your period. If you crave for heavier meals, listen to that and create something that has nourishing foods. Getting plenty of rest is also important. Being on our period is the worst but we shouldn’t let it stop our routine.
