ON YOUR MENSTRUAL CYCLE? TRY THESE HOLISTIC TIPS

Yeahhhh. Totally going there… We are totally talking about the unwelcome but sometimes begging for her company visitor, your period.

I don’t know why some people don’t feel comfortable talking about being on your period or periods in general. If you’re a female, you are most likely a frequent visitor or retired one.

SO what’s the deal?..?

I wrote a post all about the period cup and how much I love them and all the wonderful benefits of using one and all that, but I really wanted to write a post about how to take a holistic approach when it comes to PMS and dealing with cramps, the emotional overwhelmed feeling you get and basically honoring your body and period during this time.

I was talking to a friend of mine a couple months ago about periods and how I literally live in my bed with chocolate, tons of CBD/ THC and magnesium. While I no longer experience the cramps I once did, I still get lower back pain, getting a little more emotional and it normally tends to fall on a full moon which means, I am altogether more sensitive.

She was telling me that she gets really, really bad cramps to the point that she has to take time off of work. We talked about different things we both have tried to help during this time of the month and what has helped and what hasn’t which basically is what shaped up this post.

Okay, first of all, we shouldn’t feel ashamed to talk about our periods and how shitty it can be. BECAUSE it is totally NORMAL. It is part of being a women and something we should all be happy about, cause well a happy menstrual cycle is crucial.

YES. It is. If you have an unhealthy menstrual cycle like you don’t have a regular period, or a missed period, or a skipping period or whatever, that isn’t “normal” something is off and your body is trying to tell you that.

When I was full fledge in my eating disordered ways, my period was absent, and I mean it was pretty cool, I was in high school and I didn’t have to worry about not being able to go to the beach, pool and just do whatever I want.

Then when I was in college and I was on the pill, I would often skip the sugar pills so I wouldn’t get my period, something that is truly unhealthy and that a lot of us do.

When I was on the medication bubble to treat my manic depressive, I had to be on birth control to regulate my period and PCOS. When I got off the medication, I was told that I couldn’t take birth control because of the negative effect they could have on my hormones + mood. Our hormones and mood are connected so deep that they honestly do affect each other.

FEAST ON HEALTHY FATS + GREENS + PROTEIN & LOW-GLYCEMIC VEGGIES

As many of you know, if you been following for some time, I read the book WomenCode and I also cycle sync as much as I can. During your menstrual phase, it is important to load up on nutrient-rich foods. You also wanna make sure you are eating lower glycemic fruits + veggies to keep your blood sugar from spiking. Also remember that as you bleed you loose iron, zinc and to keep your levels stable it is important to eat foods like seafood, kelp, and nori.

TRY SOME OF THESE RECIPES 

Tahini Energy Bites – they will keep your blood sugar stable, are filled with tons of healthy fats + protein.

This Warm Breakfast Cereal- is great for breakfast, filled with fiber, healthy fats and protein it will keep you fueled all morning long.

Caffeine can worsen cramps, sub in this morning latte a few days before and during your period to avoid cramps, Superfood Caffeine Free Latte.

Incorporate more greens during this week with my Creamy Greens + Hemp Soup it is easy to make and perfect for meal prep.

Snack on these Stewed Apples, they are easy to make and are great on oatmeal, yogurt, with almond butter and some nuts.

Pumpkin Turmeric Chia Pudding is the perfect way to add more anti-inflammatory foods into your daily eats, plus the healthy fats of the coconut milk + the protein of the chia seeds is a win, win.

DITCH THE CARDIO AND TRY LIGHTER EXERCISES THIS WEEK

It is no myth that when we are about to start our menstrual cycle we tend to feel a bit more tired, and it is totally normal. Remember that as your hormones drop, babes so does your energy and that means you won’t have the energy to take SoulCycle or a HIIT workout. It’s totally okay, don’t beat yourself up, during the first few days or even the entire week, if you are feeling it, just go for walks, try some yin yoga, or mat Pilates. I tend to just go for more walks during the week and when I start to feel a bit more energized I’ll start to do a bit more.

PAMPER THE HELL OUT OF YOURSELF

Babes, remember we are all different and what your gonna wanna do, is also different. Some people totally pass on sex, some are totally into it. Tune in and really give yourself whatever it is you want. If you wanna have sex, go for it, if you don’t the don’t. Take time for yourself, and really enjoy it. Read a book you’ve wanted to, get your nails done, get a massage, binge watch that show on Netflix or whatever you feel like doing. I tend to take baths every night and spend more time reading and less time working which is a luxury I have and give myself during this week.

EAT ALL THE DARK CHOCOLATE

We all get the cravings. Let’s be honest, but before you dig into anything filled with tons of sugar, think twice and try some dark chocolate instead. I really LOVE Thera Treats No Sugar CBD chocolate. I have LOVE using CBD all the time, but during my period, not gonna lie, I amp up the CBD it totally helps with bloating, it helps with the pain in the ass lower back pain and helps with my cramps. I stick to sugar-free chocolate because sugar can spike up your blood sugar which can disrupt your hormones more than they already are.

Some of my favorite brands of dark chocolate made with REAL ingredients are

Thera Treats –No Sugar CBD Chocolate 

Eating Evolved– All of their chocolates are low in sugar, and they sweeten them with coconut sugar.

HNINA Raw Chocolates are also amazing, they use sprouted nuts and dates to sweeten. Their truffles are INSANE.

Honey Mama’s is also amazing, I adore their creative combinations like the Lavender Rose or the Oregon Peppermint,

The point is to remember to do you, whatever that means, enjoy this time, and give thanks, honor your body and mind, it’s incredible. You are incredible.!