PMS can be a pain when it hits. It literally saps away your energy, leaving you bloated, irritable and sometimes in pain from cramps. Hitting the local pharmacist for a quick remedy is easy, but there really is no need for such toxic chemicals in your body. Yes, you can get rid of your cramps or PMS symptoms without any meds. The answer lies in the simplicity of natural therapy, which you can take full advantage of at home.
Work it out!
It may sound like the most counter-intuitive thing in the world to actually be up and about moving while your body is keeping you down with pain and fatigue. However, research has found that exercise is surprisingly effective in eliminating PMS symptoms. While exercising more regularly you will notice cramps feeling milder and even non-existent with each passing month.
Exercise promotes the release of serotonin, a hormone that improves the mood, making you feel happier. So get up and about instead of curling up in your covers to make your PMS disappear.
Nutrition is key
One of the most potent cures for PMS lies in the very food we eat. Instead of empty calories from heavily processed food, go for fruits and vegetables instead. They are rich in calcium, which research has found to be very strong in countering PMS symptoms. They are also rich in antioxidants that soothe the body to ease these symptoms as well.
Essential fatty acids EPA and DHA ( Omega 3) are great anti-inflammatory compounds. When you are on your period, these compounds will help mitigate some of the crampy, body aches, and overall soreness, which can be contributing to your PMS. My favorite sources for these foods are avocado, salmon, eggs, coconut or olive oil.
In order to balance your PMS you need to balance your hormones. This is where protein comes in as you can’t balance your hormones when you have unstable blood sugar and the hormone insulin is out of whack. Protein helps keep your blood sugar balanced, keeping you full, and feeling nourished. My favorite sources are organic grass-fed animal meat. Also because as a bonus you receive collagen which is another anti-inflammatory gut-healing source.
Lastly, I also suggest getting as much fiber as possible. When we don’t consume enough fiber, we don’t excrete hormones effectively. Fiber is key for healthy bowel movements, elimination, and detoxification as it binds to toxins and excess hormones. My favorite sources of fiber are nuts & seeds, legumes, berries and veggies such as asparagus, broccoli, and Brussel sprouts.
Try herbal remedies
Instead of a bottle of pills, why not try a cup of fresh herbal tea? Chaste berry is a great herbal remedy, coming from the chaste tree. It is a strong anti-inflammatory, significantly reducing symptoms such as cramps, breast tenderness, constipation, and irritability. Ginger tea helps to soothe nausea as again is a great anti-inflammatory for cramps. My go-to is however red raspberry leaf as its a uterine tonic, meaning it helps strengthen the walls of the uterus. It also contains magnesium to calm those cramps and helps balance hormones and normalize bleeding and flow.
If you are going to go for a bottle of pills, try taking a magnesium supplementation first (400-600mg daily) as you may find it just as effective as those Advil tablets.
Actively deal with stress
Stressful situations tend to exacerbate PMS symptoms significantly. You need not take anti-depressants to ease your stress. Natural ways to alleviate your stress can be through meditation, massages or even yoga which helps in serotonin release. Calm down your body and mind, and separate yourself from places or people that are emotionally taxing.
Summary
It is uncomfortable when PMS renders you incapable of doing just about anything depending on its intensity. You need not put your life on hold anymore now, as these are some of the many natural ways to bring yourself that much-needed relief.
xo
B