TW this post will be about periods.
So ever since I decided to become healthier (e.g. reduce stress, eat healthy, eat enough, good exercise, etc...) I noticed that this significantly improved my monthly cycle. I used to get late periods and when they did arrive, they were extremely painful. Painful to the point where I couldn't get out of bed and I would occasionally vomit. Additionally I experienced heavy bleeding. For the past few months however, my period arrived on time (after 28 days) which is great news! I noticed I don't bleed as heavy but I still do get painful cramps. I noticed that I get dizzy when I move my head to either side when I'm on my period and this sensation persists into the following week or two, which is something I need to be mindful of. This is what happens during my period week:
1. My appetite decreases but my cravings increase. In other words I don't feel very hungry but when I do eat it's usually comfort food. I don't overdo it but I still get those cravings every month. I tend to eat chocolatey and high carb stuff. I’m a coffee drinker but tend to avoid it during my period as I don’t “crave it” as much and I know coffee is dehydrating and that’s the last thing you want when menstruating.
2. I feel the desperate need to rest. From experience nothing helps cramps more than resting and sleeping. I sleep throughout the day and it helps a lot.
3. I need to be warm. I use heating patches to reduce cramp pain but I also make sure my entire body is warm. I usually drink tea or cover myself head to toe with a blanket while laying in bed. This really helps me.
4. I drink less water because I am less thirsty. I know it’s important to drink water to avoid dehydration during your period but I just don’t get as thirsty. I tend to crave tea more than plain water because it is hot and I want to stay warm.
5. I cannot exercise as usual. I did a HIIT workout during the heaviest day of my period a few days ago and I regret doing so (bad idea!). Even the day before my period I get quite bloated and tired, preventing me from being able to exercise efficiently. I’ll play it by ear and see how I feel during each cycle but regardless, I cannot exercise during the heaviest day of my period.
6. Doing chores and walking my dog becomes difficult. I just want to lay down and rest.
So I’ll stay rested and warm, as this is what helps me the most. I’m just so happy my cycle is nor regular as I had problems with irregularities for years. Additionally I experience normal and healthy symptoms during each of the other weeks of my cycle and am really in tune with these weekly symptoms and my moods/psychology.
