Thrinethra Serman
Is it that time of the month, when you feel like the most cursed person on the planet? Don’t worry, we have you covered. If you dread the arrival of your period and spend six days in self-loathing and pain, then you haven’t been informed enough. Here is a list of dos and don’ts that you have to keep in mind when your next period begins.
What to Do:
- Drink plenty of water. Tired of hearing this phrase everywhere? Well, water really does cure everything. So stay hydrated to beat the internal heat raised by the body during periods.
- Exercise. What? Did you read it right? Yes, you did. If you think periods mean staying in bed all day, you’re terribly wrong. You’ll only worsen your cramps by doing so. Spend some time doing mild stretching exercises or merely walking. It’ll ease your cramps.
- Relieving cramps. Place a heating pad or warm cloth over your tummy to reduce the pain. *Take tablets like ibuprofen and naproxen to eliminate pain at the early stages itself. If you are a traditionalist like me, then swallow a tablespoon of fenugreek with water or curd. Trust me; it works like magic.
- Use protection. Forget about the myth that says you can’t get pregnant while on your period, because you can. So don’t forget your protection through misinformation. Moreover, it prevents the transmission of infections.
- Eat healthily. Stick to mom’s Rajma chawal, and you’ll feel a lot better. Drink green tea or fresh juices to keep yourself hydrated. Bananas, watermelon, eggs, tender coconut and buttermilk are highly recommended. Fresh chicken and fish are helpful as they are rich in proteins which reduce pain.
- Chocolate! Surprised to see it on this list? Well, the fact is chocolate, especially dark chocolate will help you regulate mood swings and put you out of situations you’d regret later.
- Lemon magic. If you’re going through a heavy period, have lemon juice to reduce the flow.
- Hair wash on the third or fourth day. Sounds like something your mom would say right? Well, mine did. Initially, I thought she was being superstitious or something of the sort, but it does have a valid reason. Washing your hair at the beginning of your period will increase your flow. So according to your period, wash your hair on the third or fourth day.
What NOT To Do during Periods:
- Stay away from dairy. Craving that extra cheesy pizza or a cup of hot chocolate? Strictly no. Dairy products are your biggest enemies during periods. They cause the uterus to contract, thus worsening your cramps. Yes, this also means NO CAFFEINE.
- A big no to alcohol. (Yes, no smoking as well.) While you believe alcohol might help you get through your periods better, it actually has a lot of adverse effects on the body. Your oestrogen levels might get messed up and also lead to irregular periods. Moreover, it’ll make you more dehydrated, and you may fall ill.
- Bye, bye, burgers. I know it’s sad, but come on, it’s just for three-four days. Stay after from fast food and fatty food.
- Avoid salt. I know the list is becoming longer, but sorry, you can’t have salty food. It’ll cause bloating and dehydration which can make your body uncomfortable.
- Four-hour rule. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first or last day, don’t wear the same tampon or pad for more than four hours. Else, it might lead to bacterial or fungal infections which can cause a lot of annoyance.
Every Body Is Different
The human body is amazing and unique to each of us. The tips mentioned above are common for all, and some of these tips might apply to you, some may not. So, it would help if you experiment each time to figure out your cure. If you feel there’s something you could add to the list, feel free to comment below!
- Remember your do’s and don’ts.
- Embrace your body and find your cure.
*seek medical advice
