How to Support your Period Naturally and Actually Not Dread that Time.
How do you feel on day #1 of your period? Cramps, headache, irritable, tired - you name it. I’ve been there. Wouldn’t it be nice to not dread your period, find the beauty in it and actually feel good?
Listen I know many of us don’t jump with joy when we wake up with that achey feeling deep in our womb and the warm flow of blood between our legs. However, I do believe when you support yourself (naturally) and honour what you need during this phase of your cycle, you can feel a heck of a lot better on your period - and maybe even shift your relationship with your period over time. So I want to share with you my top secrets to embracing your period naturally and actually not dreading it!
Before I share my juicy secrets on how to feel great during your period, let’s chat for a minute about mindset, as this definitely sets the stage for how you feel during your period. Although I don’t jump for joy on day #1 of my period, I have learned to embrace the beauty in it and the power that it can hold. Listen ladies, our bodies have the ability to create and carry life - that is pretty powerful.
So let me ask you this, what is your relationship with your period?
I am not going to dive deep into this now, but I want you to take some time to think about that. Many of us have been made to feel secretive or even ashamed over our period, so it’s no wonder our body reacts in a negative way.
Now listen, biologically there is a reason why we feel extra tired, crave alone time and have some aches and pains - stuff is happening and hormones are at rock bottom, but our periods are not meant to be painful and I do feel very strongly that when you can begin to flip the script and change your relationship with your period, you will begin to experience a healthier period.
It’s also worth mentioning here, as I have heard from so many women over the last few years, that extremely painful periods do exist (and by no means am I saying they don’t). What I am saying, is that painful periods are not normal (and don’t let anyone tell you they are). This definitely deserves exploring with a healthcare professional - and if you aren’t getting the support from your doc, find someone else. Our periods and our cycle are a powerful and magical feedback system and it’s speaking to us all the time and we need to listen.
So let’s chat about how we can support our period naturally!
Here are 5 ways to support your period and feel great:
1) Honour your winter phase: Ok so you’ve heard me talk about this before - the power of honouring your cycle can have a huge impact in all areas of your life, including how you actually feel on your period.
So during your winter phase (this is the phase of your cycle when you are actually menstruating), take time to pause, release and reset. This is a time where you are meant to slow down, rest more and book some time with yourself (even if that means locking yourself in the bathroom - ideally with some wine and essential oils).
Honour this “slowing down” for a few days and you will feel so much better for the rest of your cycle. You may even begin to look forward to this time.
*Protip: Use this journal prompt: What do I need to let go of, and what is no longer serving me?
2) Use natural hygiene products: Have you ever given thought to the products you are using, each and every month? Not only can they be very harmful to the environment but many of the products are not good for you either. The synthetic materials and bleach in commercial products are not something we should be exposing ourselves to on the regular. Yes, gone are the days that I buy the fun box of tampons, with the girls dancing on it and the pretty smells. So here are 3 great options:
Diva cup
Cloth pads
Period undies
And if you want access to my period survival guide (where I list my fav’ products) - click here.
3) Essential oils for pain management and hormone balance: Essential oils can be a huge support throughout your entire cycle but especially during your period. For someone that used to reach for Advil like candy, I was floored at how effective essential oils where for a variety of symptoms.
Here is a short list of my (can’t live without) oils for my period:
1) Clary Calm -hands down the best blend for your period. Roll onto your abdomen to help with cramps, bloating and mood swings.
2) Deep Blue -rub into back for aches and pains
3) Past Tense - roll onto temples for headaches or tension
4) Frank -place a drop under your tongue for inflammation, pain or headaches (bonus if you use on your skin as it will give you this amazing glow).
5) Peace - place in diffuser or a drop on your pulse points to help ground you when your feeling extra sensitive
*These are all Doterra oils and I love sending out samples if you have never tried these. Click here if you want me to send you a sample to help support your period.
4) Soulful food and nourishment: During your fall and winter phase you often crave more calories (we can thank our hormones for that) and so we want to look at ways to give ourselves a little extra nourishment but we want to do it in a healthy way (or as healthy as possible - hiding in your closet with a bag of chips is not totally uncalled for from time to time).
An important point here, is to put some thought into food prep for this time of your cycle. Hot tip: During your summer phase (ovulation), when you have a little more energy, prep some food and pop it into the freezer. You will thank yourself when you winter phase hits.
So what foods are going to be best! During your period, foods that support with inflammation can be a great focus.
Here are a few of my fav’s:
1) Dark Chocolate
2) Turmeric
3) Fish
4) Bone broth
5) Leafy greens
5) Solo sex - Yep, I am going there! And maybe even saved the best for last. Many of us don’t necessarily feel like hopping into bed with our partners during this phase (all the power to you if you do), however that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a little extra boost in our mood by going solo.
Research has also shown that the feel good chemicals known as endorphins which are released when you orgasm may help relieve stress, menstrual pain, headaches and cramps.
So, there you have it, some great ways to embrace your period naturally and feel great! As always, I love to hear from, so don’t hesitate to drop a comment below and let me know what else you want to hear from me on.
