You’re slumped on the edge of the bed, in tears, listening to John Mayer, and you can’t seem to shake off the throbbing pain in your tummy. Well, it looks like it’s that time of the month again.
When you’re on your period, you suffer from intense symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). You experience unpredictable mood dips, sudden food cravings, hugely visible breakouts, and painful menstrual cramps. It’s just one of those days when you want to stay cooped up in your room with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s to keep you company.
However, you don’t have to go through this alone. You can find the right amount of comfort and relief in one trusty PMS starter kit, sans the ice cream. When you’re in one of those moods, you can pull it out of your drawers, and you’ll feel ten times better.
Here are tips on building a self-care package tailored to your lady needs:
#1 Protection Gears
Feminine hygiene products come in all shapes and sizes. If you’re on the first days of your period, sanitary towels are your best friend. It comes with different absorbency levels and provides you comfort and protection throughout the day. But if you are not in the mood for period pads, then toss in some tampons into your care kit. If you don’t want to feel the heaviness of your flow, tampons are great for you. Plus, you can move more freely as it reduces the possibility of leaks while providing eight-hour protection.
However, you shouldn’t forget to add another lady essential — menstrual cups. You have to include it in your starter pack as it provides you twelve-hour leak-free protection. This bell-shaped cup minimizes dryness in your feminine area and doesn’t contain harmful chemicals, unlike other hygiene items. Aside from that, menstrual cups have been reported to reduce the painful cramps when you’re on your period.
A pad, a stick, a cup — basically, it all depends on your mood that day.
#2 Relief Buddy
A warm compress can relieve you of the numbing pain of menstrual cramps. It helps increase the blood flow of your lower abdomen, reducing the discomfort you’ve been feeling the whole day. You should always include a warm compress in your period package so that you can whisk it out anytime you feel your tummy cramping. While warm towels are just as useful, we suggest you get yourself a heating pad. There are heating pads that are just microwavable and can give you that instant of relief upon application. You can also find rechargeable electrothermal water bags that can stash in your box and pull out when needed.
#3 Soothing Supplements
When it’s that time of the month, you have to be equipped with herbal supplements that could help fight the symptoms of PMS. St. John’s wort can provide you with emotional relief when you’re feeling down in the dumps during your period. This herbal supplement can bring back your chirpy demeanour with just a single pop. It works as an antidepressant, activating your serotonin levels or happy hormones.
Ginkgo biloba is another powerful organic medicine that could ease the physical and psychological effects of your ongoing menstruation. It improves the blood circulation in the tightened muscles of your lower tummy and breast area, eliminating the tenderness you’ve been suffering from all day. This herb also has ingredients that are stress modulators, which can give you that soothing comfort you most definitely need when you’re prone to anxiety.
However, if you’re still experiencing severe discomfort in your abdomen despite taking supplements, you can have yourself checked in the hospital through ultrasound scanning to determine the cause of it.
#4 Trus-Tea Companion
You shouldn’t forget to include a box of chamomile tea bags in your PMS kit. After a sip of this, you’ll feel ten times better. Chamomile tea is one of the most effective herbal remedies for period symptoms. It has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties, which lessen the pain in your lower abdomen. You won’t have to endure those menstrual cramps after brewing yourself a delicious tea. Plus, chamomile can instantly lift your dampened spirits. According to research, a cup of chamomile can activate the production of serotonin and dopamine, which are hormones in charge of regulating your overall mood. So stock up on chamomile tea to beat PMS blues.
#5 Comfort Snacks
If you want to reduce the inflammation in your body when you’re on your period, incorporate a tub of almonds in your relief package. Almonds are rich in vitamin E, which alleviates the soreness in your chest area. These nutritious snacks are also teeming with the richness of magnesium, which eases muscle cramps. A serving of almonds already has 80 mg of magnesium. If you want to munch on something that could make you feel better while watching Netflix in bed, then a tub of almonds is the perfect snack for you.
You don’t have to walk this well-worn path without a companion. With a trusty self-care box tucked under your bed, you most definitely can take on anything.