Combating Your Hormonal Self

The moment you wake up, you notice something is off. You would give all the Louboutins in the world just to crawl back into your warm, cozy bed. Okay, maybe not Louboutins, but definitely all of the Manolo Blahniks. Your body aches, your mood is already irritable, and you can start to feel a painful blemish rooted on your forehead. There is only one explanation for why you are feeling so dreadful….Aunt Flo came to town. The monthly annoyance of every woman is the hormonal attack on her sanity by her inconvenient menstrual cycle. It does not seem fair. While women are burdened with menstruation, cramping and mood swings, men are only burdened by itchy balls. But, what’s a girl to do, challenge Mother Nature? I believe that the Good Lord challenged women with these physical hardships to prove to men that we are the dominant sex. You know what I say to that, challenge accepted!
 
Studies have proven that as many as ninety-five percent of women face period issues. These issues include excessive bleeding, out-of-control PMS, constipation (or diarrhea), hormonal outbursts and unbearable cramping. What’s a highly successful collegiette to do to sideline these nuisances and get on with her day?
 
Here are five simple and helpful ways to relieve you from your hormonal self!
 
1.)    Pass On Salt
Skip sodium-packed foods for a few days before and during your cycle to avoid bloating. This shouldn’t be an issue since it is a sweet fix you are usually craving at this time.
 
2.)    Pick Up Yoga
Stress management, exercise, and relaxation all seem to help symptoms of PMS. A steady practice of yoga incorporates all three. Break out your yoga mat and focus on being healthy both internally and externally.

3.)    Consume More Calcium
A Columbia University study discovered that getting around six hundred milligrams of calcium twice a day can cut woman participants’ premenstrual cravings, bummed out moods, and fatigue by close to half. It’s always been said that milk does your body good!
 
4.) Swim Through Your Bloat
Swim for twenty minutes. Research has shown that the pressure of the water causes extra fluid to move back into the blood stream, which helps cut down on swelling. Instead of skipping on the gym, swim a few laps nice and easy to reduce bloating. If there is no way of getting you into a swimsuit, then opt for soaking in your tub au natural for the same amount of time.
 
5.)    Switch Your Birth Control
It has been proven that there is no medical necessity to have your period monthly. Ask your doctor if you can switch to a prescription that allows you to have lighter periods or even skip your monthly period. Switching to a birth control that has fewer placebo pills per month means a more steady flow of hormones, which means a lesser chance of your body taking a ride on a hormonal roller coaster.
 
Whoever said having a menstrual cycle was life-altering was clearly wrong. Try these helpful suggestions to ease your discomfort. If you can conquer your period, by golly you can conquer the world!