My Holistic Period Journey
Do you remember the first time you ever started your menstrual cycle? I’m sure you do, it’s kind of a hard day to forget. The day you become a woman, they say. I remember so clearly, I was in the sixth grade and I was wearing a pair of white sweatpants with pink and grey stripes down the side. Like really?? Of all days, it was the day I wore WHITE?! I also remember after a few months of getting my cycle, I couldn’t believe this was something every woman had to experience each month. I had the worst cramps, a heavy flow, and felt so out of touch with my body. I didn’t feel prepared and I certainly didn’t feel empowered with the whole thing. In high school and college, I lived off Midol and used scented tampons (why is that even a thing??). I suffered through PMS and thought this was “normal” but when I sought out further support from my OBGYN, I was told switching from the birth control pill to an IUD would be a great option and could even lessen, if not eliminate, my period! At the time it sounded wonderful and I went for it. Now that I’ve been off birth control for almost three years, I take a different approach to supporting my cycle. I also realize that we weren't provided the proper information about our period in primary school or even when I was in nursing school.
Now that I experience consistent periods with very minimal PMS, barely any cramping, and a manageable flow, I want to share with you how I support my body throughout each phase with different habits and holistic tools. Since I’ve learned the many changes occurring in the body within each phase of the cycle, I implement different habits at different times.
First of all, I have been cycle-synching my workouts according to each phase to better work with my body and hormones instead of against them. I listen to and acknowledge the way my mind and body are feeling. When I’m in my menstrual phase, I incorporate slower movements like long walks, stretching, gentle yoga flow, or sometimes I just rest! During my follicular phase, I do more high-intensity exercises. Making sure to get my heart rate up, weight lift, and push myself during this time as I know that when I head into my luteal phase, I take it down a notch. The luteal phase is when I incorporate pilates with intentional and low to moderate strength training. It’s a balance and honestly, the variety allows me to feel excited about moving my body since it’s not the same thing week after week.
Now when it comes to the week leading up to the start of my cycle, I begin incorporating habits to support my liver. I use the sauna, herbal tinctures (Liver Juice is my favorite!), and teas like dandelion or the Cleanser loose-leaf tea. Supporting your liver during this time aids the metabolism and excretion of hormones that can contribute to PMS.
Some PMS symptoms I work to support and hope to be free of on my holistic health journey are sore and tender breasts, cramping on the first day of my cycle, a little moodiness, and fatigue. Oh, and I also get some acne near my chin, which based on face mapping, is contributed to liver congestion! During this time, I also increase my fiber, eating vegetables like carrots, cauliflower, and broccoli to help keep my bowels moving and excrete toxins or access hormones.
I pay extra attention to supporting my blood sugar because the body and hormones are more sensitive to glucose spikes during this time.
When it comes to the week I start my cycle (always in sync with the full moon), I use a variety of holistic tools like red raspberry leaf tea to ease PMS symptoms, a warm heating pack to decrease cramping, essential oils (a blend of Clary sage, lavender, bergamot, roman chamomile, ylang ylang, cedarwood, geranium, fennel, carrot seed, palmarosa, and vitex), gentle movement, rest and sometimes even a nap. I prioritize quality protein, warming foods like bone broth, and complex carbohydrates.
It feels incredible to know how to implement these tools and habits while gaining a sense of empowerment to support my health without OTC medications or a band-aid like birth control. It is exciting to experience physical changes by adapting your lifestyle and taking an integrative approach to health.
I want to remind you that everyone's experience looks different and bio-individuality is extremely important. What works for me might not work for you. I will say that there has been a lot of trial and error, patience, and a strong focus on nutritional support throughout this time. A holistic approach will never be a quick fix but will be the answer for sustainable, long-term health!
Do you experience PMS or can relate to my journey? Have you wanted to incorporate more supportive tools? Share your thoughts in the comments if it feels aligned.