Once again, it’s that time of the month when the uninvited guests are here to sabotage all your plans!
As time progresses, you begin to worry about muscle cramps, backaches, upper abdominal pain, and general body aches. But keep in mind that your body starts preparing for the harm it will experience days before your menstrual cycle starts.
There is no better way to express how you feel than to spend the entire day lying in bed, tossing and turning, and doing nothing. Learned The world seems too annoying, and you don’t even want to talk to anyone. But working women and mothers can’t afford all this, can they?
Period pain disrupts your peace, sleep, and happiness! Don’t you think it’s about time you learned how to feel better when you’re on your period?
Let’s learn some effective techniques for saying goodbye to cramps and feeling better on your period.
Here’s what you’ll learn in this article:
- What is Period Pain?
- How to Feel Better During Period?
- Stay Hydrated
- Eat Healthy Foods
- Heating Pads
- Avoid Caffeine
- Get Moving
- Drink Herbal Tea
- Plenty of Sleep
- Eat Dark Chocolate
What is Period Pain?
During your menstrual cycle, you feel a certain type of pain and cramps in your lower abdomen, back, or thighs, commonly known as a “period cramp.” While some women have light periods, others have intense ones.
According to research, women with heavier periods often have more intense pain too. This pain and discomfort are caused by your muscles, which contract and relax throughout your menstrual cycle to assist the extra lining in shedding. By exerting pressure on the nerves, restricting the blood flow, and pressing on certain nerves, the entire process hurts like a heart attack!
How to Feel Better During Period?
Are you interested in learning how to make yourself feel better during your period? If yes, we’re here with 8 tremendous period pain relief and feel-better tips. The following will let you know what to do on your period and how to make your period feel better.
Let’s get started!
Stay Hydrated
Consuming more water may seem strange when you feel bloated, puffy, and full. However, the more water you consume, the better it relieves period pain. According to research, water consumption during menstruation is associated with pain reduction and discomfort. [1]
There is no set suggestion for how much water each individual should consume. The general recommendation is to drink eight to ten 8-ounce glasses of water each day.
Carry a water bottle with you if you’re always on the go during your periods, and try to fill it up several times during the day.
Eat Healthy Foods
You may opt for comfort foods like Nutella or ice cream during painful and stressful times. However, these high-sugar and cold foods may increase your pain. Often, processed foods have a lot of salt, which can cause further bloating.
Choose healthy snacks like fruits and vegetables, anti-bloating low-sodium items, healthy fats, and high proteins for your eating routine. Your stomach will surely thank you for choosing healthy organic foods over processed foods high in salt.
Following are some foods that can help you feel better during your period.
- Ginger
- Chicken
- Fish
- Watermelon
- Cucumber
- Nuts and seeds
Heating Pads / Hot Water Bottle
The use of heat as a home remedy for menstrual cramps has been around for a long time. For decades, hot water bottles and hot compresses have been reliable painkillers for period pain.
A hot compress applied to your lower back or abdomen can ease uterine contractions, making you feel better. According to research, heat therapy efficiently decreases menstrual pain in women. [2]
Avoid Caffeine
If you’re on your period, it’s recommended that you limit your caffeine intake, as it can irritate your stomach and cause you to feel achy, crampy, and bloated. In addition to avoiding caffeine, it’s a good idea to steer clear of sweet and fizzy beverages, which can worsen bloating.
Get Moving
Although many of you may suddenly feel like you have a good excuse to miss the gym or avoid going out for a run since it is that time of the month (fingers crossed),
You might want to rethink your decision! These “excuses” are why you should go for a walk!
Moderate, low-intensity exercises such as walking and slow jogging help loosen up stiff muscles and get your blood circulating – relieving the discomfort you are experiencing. According to research, exercise has several health benefits, including treating primary dysmenorrhea. [3]
Drink Herbal Tea
Oh, we all love herbal teas! They are so refreshing, lightweight, and immune-friendly. Try consuming ginger, green, chamomile, fennel, or cinnamon teas during your periods. They are effective at reducing menstrual cramps.
Would you like to know how to feel better during your period? Herbal teas can significantly reduce period cramps, boost your energy level, make you happier, and provide mental clarity during your cycle.
Plenty of Sleep
Period fatigue is damn real! It can be further aggravated by period pain. A good night’s rest can help your body and mind recover during your period. Aim to get at least 8 hours of sleep, and don’t be afraid to have fun, go out, or do whatever you love. Make an effort to feel good by treating yourself to a spa day or catching up with friends over dinner.
Eat Dark Chocolate
Do you have a sweet tooth? Because girls love eating sweets, especially during stressful or period days. But wait, aren’t sugary items prohibited during periods? Honey, you don’t have to say no to every sweet thing! You can have healthy sweets such as dark chocolate or dates.
Dark chocolate contains a good amount of copper and magnesium, which ease cramps and release happy hormones to manage mood swings.
Final Thoughts
There is nothing worse than period pain! Every woman suffers from period pain, yet we stay quiet and let it control our daily lives.
[1] Torkan, B., Mousavi, M., Dehghani, S., Hajipour, L., Sadeghi, N., Ziaei Rad, M., & Montazeri, A. (2021). The role of water intake in the severity of pain and menstrual distress among females suffering from primary dysmenorrhea: a semi-experimental study 1–9 in BMC Women’s Health, 21(1)
[2] Jo, J., & Lee, S. H. (2018). Heat therapy for primary dysmenorrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis of its effects on pain relief and quality of life Scientific reports, 8(1), 1–8
[3] Armour, M., Ee, C. C., Naidoo, D., Ayati, Z., Chalmers, K. J., Steel, K. A.,… & Delshad, E. (2019). Exercise for dysmenorrhoea Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (9).[4] Yonkers, K. A., O’Brien, P. S., & Eriksson, E. (2008). Premenstrual syndrome. The Lancet, 371 (1996), 1200-1210.