Your period can be all sorts of awful: It can give you irrational mood swings, trigger all kinds of aches, and turn you into a sluggish, non-productive individual. But no matter how horrible it starts off, you can always turn it into an experience that encourages you to be in touch with yourself. Endure and embrace your monthly visitor with these seven tips.
1. Wear the right kind of bra.
When you have your period, your breasts tend to feel tender and heavier. Wearing the right kind of bra (one with the right cups and firm straps) can help give you the extra support and protection that you need.
2. Make heat pads your best friend.
Heat pads make everything better. Seriously. Dysmenorrhea can be a huge pain, and hugging one of these babies can give you relief.
3. Take a warm shower.
There’s an old wives’ tale about not taking a bath during your period, but that’s all it is–a myth. Taking a shower isn’t only hygienic, but also feels really good. Lather with your favorite scented gels for increased good vibes.
4. Sip something warm.
Do you notice a trend here? Everything warm seems to be good when you have your period. Have yourself a cup of hot tea if you’re getting grumpy and cramp-y. In a feature on The Huffington Post, nutritionist Dr. Kathy Smart says that green tea can help ease the pain.
5. Eat well.
It always pays to eat healthy, but even more so during red days. Dr. Smart recommends a good helping of salmon, which is rich in omega-3 that is known to fight inflammation. Your period is also your free pass to eat dark chocolate, a treat that relaxes your muscles.
6. Cry if you want to.
Your hormones go haywire during that time of the month, and if you have that inexplicable urge to cry, do so! It doesn’t matter what triggers it—it could be as weird as how that cute puppy online has made you feel all rainbow-y inside—because a sob is sometimes exactly what you need to feel good about yourself. 
7. Exercise.
According to Health.com, your period week is the best time to do HIIT (high-intensity interval training) as your body can access stored energy better. "When your period starts, your estrogen and progesterone levels drop," says exercise physiologist Stacy Sims. "And because of this, women can access carbohydrate/glycogen easily, as compared to high-estrogen time periods [when we] rely more on the slow breakdown of fat."
8. Take time to pause.
Instead of cringing at the thought of your period, turn it into a positive experience by giving yourself me time. Have one day of quiet as the brunt of it passes. Introspection can do wonders to the soul, and what better time to rest than when your body tells you to do so.
PHOTO: Pixabay; GIFS: Giphy
