A woman’s period can be a real pain to endure, figuratively and literally. Here's a list of do’s and don’t’s every woman can follow to get through the week without getting fired, dumped or arrested.
Do’s
1. Eat the right foods – “It is oh-so- tempting to opt for pizza, chocolate and wine when we’re feeling flat and moody. However, you will feel far better if you increase your intake of natural foods, rich in anti-inflammatories such as tomatoes, berries, and nuts and magnesium such as bananas and leafy greens.”
2. Move – “Exercise is likely to be the last thing on your to-do list but some very light exercise during your period will actually improve your mood. Walking, yoga and swimming are all great ways to boost your endorphin levels. Avoid any heavy weights or hard cardio.”
3. Be kind to yourself – “Many women feel fat, bloated and generally awful during the week of their period. Bloating is part of the process and it’s important to remember this and realise you haven’t just gained 3kg for no rhyme or reason. Focus on how good you'll feel in a couple of days!”
4. Plan ahead and be prepared – “Most women have encountered the unpleasant ‘oops’ moment when their period arrives and they realise they forgot to stock up on supplies. I founded subscription service Liverpool St to eliminate this hassle altogether. We deliver tampons to women around Australia every month, ensuring they are never caught out.”
5. Give yourself a break – “Plan a treat for yourself that week. It could be a chance to meditate, a massage or a pamper sesh with a girlfriend.”
Don’t’s
1. Make any important decisions – “As tempting as it may be, do not quit your job, dump your boyfriend or sell your house this week. In fact, don’t make any big decisions while you’re PMS-ing. Sleep on it and see how you feel the following week. What seemed like a disaster of epic proportions could be a mere hiccup.”
2. Give in to caffeine and alcohol – “If you increase your consumption of booze and coffee, it will actually cause blood vessels to constrict, meaning increased cramping – eek!”
3. Get dehydrated – “Do not reduce your water consumption because you're feeling bloated. Water is key to hydration and oxygenation and will help ease the nasty side effects you’re feeling.”
4. Forget you’re awesome! – “As they say, this too shall pass. It’s helpful to remember that every amazing female role model you have goes through this stuff. Yes, even Michelle Obama probably has her off days.”
5. Stay silent – “People don’t like talking about periods which makes mood swings ten times worse. You need to communicate with the important people in your life. Tell your boss why you can’t stop yawning, tell your partner why you’re snappy and tell your kids that Mummy isn’t her usual happy self and why.”
ABOUT THE EXPERT
Liverpool St was established to eliminate this risk altogether. Liverpool St delivers tampons to women around Australia every month, ensuring they are never caught out. Founded by Siobhan Komander, the business only offers natural, cotton, organic tampons.