That time of the month can be mildly uncomfortable or completely debilitating. You probably just want to crawl under the covers of your bed and stay there for the duration. Trouble is life has to go on. If you suffer pains and cramps, I've got here a laundry list of things you can try.
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1. Use a Heated Towel as a Hot Compress
Or use a hot water bottle or a heating pad. Place on your lower abdomen.
2. Some Might Prefer a Cold Pack
Use an ice pack or some ice cubes in a bag wrapped in a towel.
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3. Drink Carrot Juice or Eat Raw Carrot
This facilitates blood flow on your menstruation days.
4. Drink Raspberry Leaf Tea
This will help relax the abdominal muscles.
5. Do Cardio Exercises and Aerobics Daily
It increases the flow of endorphins, which is a natural painkiller.
6. Eat Oily Fish
The omega 3s will help with hormone imbalances. Try sardine, mackerel, salmon, herring etc
7. Avoid Super Tight Clothes
Leave them in the closet. Your tummy needs room to move when it's cramping. Leave off the waist-cinching belts too.
8. Drink White Willow Bark Tea
White willow is Mother Nature's aspirin.
9. Drink Blackstrap Molasses in Milk
Add one to two tablespoons of blackstrap molasses to a cup of warm milk and drink it when cramps begin. The molasses is rich in iron, calcium, selenium, manganese, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin
B6 which help soothe the uterine muscles and lessen blood clots.
10. Drink Some Chasteberry Tea
Can be found on the herbal tea shelf or make your own by steeping dried berries in boiled water.
11. Drink Plenty of Water
Staying hydrated is paramount during your period. Staying hydrated will help reduce bloating. Drink it warm or hot to help ease the pain of cramps.
12. Reduce Your Consumption of Salt
Too much salt can cause bloating - you don't need this!
13. Evening Primrose Oil
Massage your pelvic and lower abdominal region with the oil for relief from cramps.
14. Relax in a Warm Bath or Shower
Make it as luxurious as you like
15. Drink Chamomile Tea
Chamomile ha two cramp-fighting compounds: glycine which relaxes the uterus; and hippurate which is an anti-inflammatory.
16. Have Sex
If you don't want messy sex, a little self loving to bring you to the big "O" will stave off cramps for a while.
17. Visit an Acupuncturist
This ancient healing art might work wonders for you.
18. Ingest Some Peppermint
Take it as tea or put a few drops of oil (food grade) into a glass of water. Peppermint is an antispasmodic which means it can relieve stomach pains and cramps.
19. Take in Probiotics if You Have Digestive Distress as Well as Cramps
Probiotic foods eaten daily may bring you some relief.
20. Add Cinnamon to Your Menu
Cinnamon contains high amounts of manganese which can help relieve menstrual cramps. It's also an anti-inflammatory.
21. Avoid Foods That Cause Bloating
These include dairy products, red meats, peanut products, anything containing vegetable oil and those high in saturated, hydrogenated or trans-fats like muffins, pastries, chips, pizza and other processed foods.
22. Eat Good, Healthy Foods
Choose fish, soy (non-GMO), chicken, turkey, eggs, almonds and healthy types of oils like olive, flaxseed and organic canola instead.
23. Do Yoga
Practice restorative poses instead of strenuous physical ones.
24. Find Ways to Calm Any Stress
You don't want to have to deal with stress as well as cramps and period pain.
25. Sleep
Be sure to get 6-8 hours per night. Remember it's not forever!
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