Caring for your menstrual cycle is more than just using a menstrual product when you bleed.
We care for our physical health, our skin, our painted nails, tinted lashes and freshly waxed brows but how much care do you put toward your menstrual cycle?
Here are 5 key ways to care for your cycle:
1.PAY ATTENTION
Track it, know where you are at in your cycle. Are you ovulating or about to get your period?
Record the signs and symptoms that your body may be asking for you to pay a little more attention to.
Are you getting bloating, swollen/ tender breasts, mood fluctuations, period pain, acne, changes to your bowel movements, particular food cravings or headaches? What day of your period are you on when this is occurring?
This is where period apps are SUPER helpful as you can record it all in one place. I have loved using apps like Alisa Vitti's MyFLO app and Clue.
Keeping track of your signs and symptoms across the month not only support you in understanding your body but helps you to communicate with healthcare professionals about what may be going on. This is mega-empowering and supports you to receive the best care possible.
2.NOURISH YOUR BODY
So that it can make the adequate hormones required across the span of your menstrual cycle including regular ovulation and menstruation.
Healthy fats e.g. avocado, nuts and seeds, olive oil
Complex carbohydrates e.g. brown rice, quinoa, oats and sweet potato
Protein e.g. free range animal meats, eggs, tempeh, nuts and seeds
Non-starchy vegetables e.g. mixed leaf salad, asparagus, mushrooms, broccoli, cucumber, capsicum, tomato
3.STRESS MANAGEMENT
Stress is a key component when it comes to menstrual irregularities including amenorrhea (loss of period) and anovulation (no ovulation).
If the body is under stress, she's not going to think "oh, it's time to ovulate and make room for a potential pregnancy" if it is not safe. Unfortunately, being fertile and having a regular menstrual cycle is not as high on the list as breathing or being able to run fast. Therefor the hormones required for a regular menstrual cycle can get shunted into making cortisol, our stress hormone.
Try activities such as journaling, deep belly breathing, time in nature (PHONE FREE), and guided meditations or EFT Tapping.
4.REST
This seems the simplest yet often the hardest to do. Rest during your menstrual cycle is a vital time to recharge, come inward and allow the body to switch modes as you shed your uterine lining.
You can save the use of your "all guns blazing" for ovulation.
During this time create space in your diary, reduce work commitments, hardcore exercise routines at the gym, social commitments and give yourself permission some tender loving care.
I love day 1 and 2 of my cycle as I give myself permission to be cosy, move my focus from work and social commitments to being horizontal, watching movies and eating wholesome, nourishing food. This is time for YOU baby.
5.IF SOMETHING IS WRONG- BE CURIOUS
Rather than looking for a quick fix, a bandaid option or something to make your bodies voice "quieten", question what is going on.
Have you had a stressful month, eaten differently, felt disconnected from yourself and your body?
Chatting to a nutritionist or natural health practitioner is key here as they can help you get to the root of what may be going on and suggest ways of supporting and re-balancing yourself again.
To book a consultation, share any questions in regards to how I am able to help you, can find more here.
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