How to Get More Confidence & Comfort During Your Period

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ConfidenceUDeserve #CollectiveBias

Hey Ladies, let’s talk periods. Yup, you heard it right.

Periods happen to lots and lots of people and I think we should be able to talk about what our bodies are doing and help each other out with tips and support.

Some women just go with the flow (haha) when their period arrives but other women struggle with it. For me, getting my period can mean many things: cramps, mood swings, headaches, cold feet, fatigue, etc. Sure, in a fantasy world I would stay in bed and wait for Aunt Flow to leave. But this is reality and as a single mom I’m juggling a hundred things at once which means I do whatever I can to “work” with my period not against.

                 If you can’t change it, embrace it in the best possible way.

Here’s what I do that helps me stay confident and feel better during my period.

Healthy Eating

• Healthy foods are super important to me, especially when I’m on my period. I believe in the healing power of food and I rarely take medications. I like to make a big pot of lentil soup which is the absolute comfort food to me.  I add potatoes, carrots and spinach. Lentils are full of fiber which alleviates bloating.
• Nuts, flax seeds, chia seeds: These foods contain Vitamin B-6 which helps relieve premenstrual cravings and exhaustion. I add them to granola, smoothies, or eat them as snack.
• Green vegetables: You can never go wrong with veggies. High in calcium, potassium, magnesium, green vegetables are great for relieving cramps and bloating. My favorite green veggies are leeks, spinach, kale, and peppers.
• Bananas: Potassium reduces cramping.
• Tea: Chamomile tea relaxes the uterus. It’s also warm, hydrating, and soothing.
• Water: I drink it ALL day.
• High quality dark chocolate with almonds is full of antioxidants. If I feel like having chocolate, I eat it. I don’t avoid cravings but I look for healthier versions. From my experience, avoiding cravings leads to junk food binging.

 Workout & Relaxation

• Exercise helps me enormously. I am always in a better mood after my workout. Always! That’s because exercise helps the body release endorphins , making  us happy. I exercise every day even during my period. A 30 minute walk paired with some strength training is perfect for me. Anything that keeps my heart pumping helps. Stagnation is the worst for me. A U by Kotex  Sleek tampon is what I wear during my workout. These tampons are small, smooth yet super absorbent. Sometimes I forget I’m wearing one. I can feel confident the Sleek tampon will stay in place while I’m on the move.
• Being out in the sun for even just 10 minutes also puts me in a better mood. Sunshine increases your serotonin level and makes you happy.
• Sometimes (rarely) my body tells me to do nothing and I listen.  I tend to go sleep early during  that time of the month. 
• Hot Bath: Warm water is so soothing. It helps me relax right before bedtime.
• Masks and tea tree oil: My skin tends to get dry during my period. I like to apply hydrating masks and lotions. For occasional breakouts I use tea tree oil.
• Warm socks. During my period, my body temperature fluctuates  between getting hot flashes and ice-cold feet. Warm socks are a must have.

Another period essential for me is to be prepared. As a single mom I don’t have a husband to make night runs to the store for me. It’s a nightmare to run out of tampons and pads during Aunt Flow’s visit. A week or so before my period I stock up on tampons and pads at CVS. On my last trip I also grabbed body lotion and a couple hydrating facial masks. Now I have overnight protection as well as tampons for my physical activities. My beauty supplies are an added bonus.

Right now  you can stock up on Kotex products with this $2.00 off coupon. So head over to CVS and prepare for that time of the month.

How do you pamper yourself during your period? Share with us!