HEALTH

No matter how long you’ve had it, that “time of the month” is never fun to deal with, but don’t let it leave ya feeling down! Here are 8 ways to feel good and enjoy life, even when Mother Nature tries to get in the way.

1. Use Heating Pads

Whether you use an old-school waterbottle or an electric heating pad, applying heat to your lower abdomen can seriously reduce cramps. The heat from the pad can help provide relaxation and comfort to your sore body. The more stress you give your body during your time of the month, the worse you’ll feel and the more cramps ya might get. Take a half hour to 45 mintues to curl up and get warm.

2. Exercise to Reduce Cramping

Even though going for a run might feel like the last thing you wanna do when you're PMSing, staying in motion is proved to make you feel better. Even just taking a walk or a slight jog can ease cramps.

3. Stay Hydrated

This will help nix some of the bloating and discomfort you’re feeling, especially with fluids like water and tea. Carbonated drinks like Sprite and ginger ale may seem to settle your stomach at first, but will cause you to be more bloated after awhile. The moral? Skip soda.

4. Avoid Caffeine

As much as you may need that daily frapp boost, try to avoid it when you’re on your period. The acidity in the coffee can irritate your stomach and make your cramps worse. A little is fine, but during this time it’s more important than ever to not overdo it.

5. Eat Healthy, Feel Good

One of the best ways to make you feel worse will be to eat salty, fatty foods. Although your period might have you craving chips, steer clear of them and go for healthier options instead. If you need a sweet fix, a couple squares of dark chocolate is the way to go. (The magnesium in cocoa is said to help relieve cramps.) Not gonna argue with something that lets us eat chocolate, right?

6. Mark Your Calendars

Knowing when your period is about to start will help you to feel more prepared for when it comes. You can prepare by clearing your schedule, and giving yourself some downtime. Speaking of...

7. Watch a Funny Movie to Make You Laugh

Laughter really is the best medicine. Watching a movie or catching up on your favorite TV shows that will make you laugh is a great way to forget about the pain and remember what it feels like to be relaxed and happier again. The best part? It'll be over soon.

How do you deal with Mother Nature? Share in the comments below.  

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