STRESS HAS AN IMPACT ON THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE // Does your period ever go a bit haywire when you’ve gone through or are going through a lot of stress? Perhaps when there’s a lot going on at work or at home? Or when you’re going through a big life event like a bereavement, a breakup / divorce, a house move or job hunt? Or it’s simply good stress, in that you have a lot going on but it’s everything you’ve ever wanted so you wouldn’t necessarily say you’re stressed, but you do have a lot on your plate. # No matter what the cause of the stress, it has a huge impact on the menstrual cycle by increasing cortisol and affecting oestrogen, progesterone and insulin. This can make periods more painful, heavier (in quantity & with more clots), longer, shorter or make a regular as clockwork cycle completely out of whack. Stress can also cause spotting, a missing period and a delay in ovulation. Basically, stress can mess with periods and the menstrual cycle in a big way! # Do you notice stress affecting your period? Being honest with yourself about how much stress you’re under and taking active measures to manage your stress both in the moment and across the day is really important. # One simple thing you can do is to connect with your breathing. Stop and notice how you’re breathing - is it deep or is it shallow? Are your shoulders next to your ears? Is your jaw clenched? # Stop and take a deep breath in - the biggest breath you’ve taken all day. Then sigh this breath out. Do this until you start to feel a sense of relief. #eatlovemovefacts #normalisetalkingaboutperiods . . . . . #stress #stressless #breathing #pranayama #fertility #fertilityawareness #progesterone #hormonebalance #hormonesupport #womenshealth #hormones #hormonehealth #menstrualawareness #menstrualcycleawareness #menstrualcycle #menstruation #follicularphase #ovulation #ovulatoryphase #oestrogen #periodtalk #periodsarenormal #periods #nutritionaltherapist #nutritionist #eatlovemove (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv9F9T8nffw/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=9cdqxnvq6hg0