I am sure that I am not alone in feeling terrible the week of my period. It literally changes my days completely. I feel sick, my body feels sore and tender, and the worst part is that my mentality switches. I get irritated quicker and feel extremely sad over small things.
For example, I cry more during my period and can easily get upset. It is an internal battle to constantly keep myself in check. In this article we will discuss how you can feel your best during your period.
It’s known that the first days of your period, emotions are very difficult to manage, but I have come to understand that there are self-care practices that will make you feel good during your period.
Healthy habits during period is essential for your sanity.
Here are 6 easy steps you NEED to keep in mind during your period. These steps helps me a lot, especially since I have been dealing with PMS since I was around 16 years old. I can safely say that I have learned a few things along the way.
1. Acknowledge Your Emotions
While you’re in the stages prior to your period, there might be some hormonal changes happening in your body. These hormones can affect how you feel overall. It all depends on the individual, but the best lesson to take from these days is to allow your body to do its job. As women, we are extremely vulnerable during this time, and it’s okay. There is nothing wrong with you; in fact, your body is so powerful to even be able to change like this. You have a superpower that no one can take from you, and that is the fact that you have a working body, cleaning itself, and helping you understand that everything is alright.
Getting emotional during this time of the month is completely normal. Allow yourself to feel these sets of emotions and let them be. The best thing you can do is to try your best to smile, laugh, and accept your feelings about what you are up against. It’s essential that you acknowledge the fact that your body is changing at this time. The strong feelings and sadness can all reflect hormonal changes within your body. Needless to say, you are entitled to feel a little sorry for yourself, but don’t drag it too far.
Set some time aside in your day and just accept the defeat. Don’t get angry; just allow it to flow. Cry a little because it feels good after you’re done, then go get yourself some ice cream or chocolate from the fridge and eat it with no regrets.
2. Don’t Skip the Gym During Your Period
I know you don’t even want to think about moving around, let alone getting out of bed when your cramps are beating you up. Unless you are severely sick with extreme cramps and nausea, do not skip the gym. Movement during period cramps is really great for your body with lots of proven benefits. Not only is it helpful to stay active, but it will also reflect on your mental health, leading to your well-being where you feel quite good.
If you against all odds decide that you just can’t move around like a champ in the gym during your period, try to take a 20-minute walk outside in the fresh air, walk on the treadmill, or stretch at home. Pay attention to your physical health during this time because activity releases endorphins that may help manage your cycle and PMS symptoms. Managing period symptoms has many great benefits, so get on those apps already and have a look at your health.
3. Get Enough Sleep and Eat Nutritious Food
This might come off as contradicting since a couple of paragraphs up I’m telling you that you can eat as much ice cream and chocolate as you want, and you can, but prioritize eating healthy with fewer carbs and sweets as much as possible during your period. The cravings will kick in at some point, and you don’t have to fight them, but try to make food or snacks that are healthy with less sugar intake. I recommend eating more fiber and protein and filling up your belly with lots of water. Vitamins are also great during this time.
I would also advise eating fish and eggs as they contain lots of omega-3, and the eggs with protein and antioxidants will ensure you get enough energy during the day and help balance your immune system. Our immune system drops to its lowest level during your period, so prep your body ahead with vitamins, proteins, and healthy food.
4. Spoil Yourself and Take Yourself out on a Shopping Trip or a Date
We aren’t necessarily supposed to stay in the house with cramps all day and whatnot. I hereby want to set an entire day to celebrate women (apart from International Women’s Day on the 8th of March). We should have a day once a month where we treat ourselves to whatever we want, especially during this time.
Allow yourself to shop till you drop and splurge more on your period. Since everyone’s cycle is different, and we cannot have one specific day like this, set your own reminders on your calendar that on this specific day, you will splurge and treat yourself to nice things just because, well, you’re a woman. I highly recommend massage and facial treatments once a month. Even for 25 minutes! It´s going to relief so much pressure, toxins and tense from your body.
Get dressed in your best clothing, add a nice perfume, get ready with a flawless glow, and have your hair/hijab on point. Take yourself out on a nice date to a restaurant you’ve always wanted to go to in your city. You don’t need to wait for someone to ask you out because you can take yourself out on nice dates.
5. How to Get Back in Your Prayer Routine After Your Period
We are being transparent here, right? So let’s all agree on the fact that going back to your regular prayer routines is a struggle. Although it is difficult to readjust your routine after your period, try your best to set your intentions right and know that Allah will reward you for the efforts you put in. Allah will reward you even during your period.
Each cramp and pain that comes from it will be rewarded by Allah. I sometimes forget during the first days of my period that I am really bleeding, so I get myself ready to pray at the appointed time, and then realize that I can’t perform it. I have learned over the years that Allah will reward you for your genuine intention to perform salah even if you didn’t do it. This applies only during your period.
Learn to understand that you only need to set your intentions right. You do it naturally through ghusl and that first day after your period is over. Reading the Quran on that day is very beneficial and great for your soul to reconnect with Allah through His sacred Book.
Be patient with yourself, but do not skip your prayers. Anything you do in life takes time to perfect. Leave no room for laziness with all the obligatory prayers. We humans adjust and adapt to anything really quickly; it’s in our nature. As biological women, we have a set of emotions that will help us adapt fast to our circumstances, so believe in yourself that you can make it, and don’t forget to ask Allah for guidance and clarity during this time of the month. Ask Him to ease the difficulty.
During your period, try to stay in a state of ibadah (worship) as much as you can. Even though you cannot pray or fast during Ramadan, there are other ways to perform ibadah. Dua is a form of worshipping, a supplication that will benefit you. Ask Allah to relieve your pain, make dua for other Muslims, and in general, ask for forgiveness and anything your heart desires. Another form of worship is to do dhikr. Constantly move your lips with dhikr.
6. Tracking Your Cycle
I highly recommend downloading an app that can help you track your menstrual cycle from month to month. The app I use helps me add notes and pick and choose all my symptoms a week prior to my period’s arrival. I get notified of changes and updates each week, and I know exactly when I am ovulating, about to get different symptoms, and when I am finished with my period way ahead. It’s genius! There are many more benefits within the app. I use the Clover app to track my menstrual cycle for reference. Highly recommended as it gives you weekly reports of your overall menstrual health.
Tracking your cycle is also great for a Muslim girl so that we can plan our prayers (i.e., Istikharah, Tahajjud). We know when to stop fasting during Ramadan and can plan better during that week to maximize your worship, work schedule, and other tasks.
Conclusion
In conclusion, taking care of yourself during your period is crucial for maintaining your physical and emotional well-being. By acknowledging your emotions, staying active, eating nutritious foods, treating yourself, maintaining your prayer routines, and tracking your cycle, you can make this time of the month more manageable and even enjoyable.
Remember, it’s all about listening to your body and giving it the care it needs. Embrace your superpower and treat yourself with the kindness and respect you deserve, always.
