10 Things To Make You Feel Miles Better At That Time Of The Month.

I’ve said it before, but we women are just brilliant. We deal with so much rubbish, and, without a doubt, the rubbishy-est, most inconvenient and uncomfortable of it all is when you get your period.

I’ve been on the pill for a few years now, so I know when mine is coming, but it still knocks me for six every month. One day I will be fine. The next I’ll be a tearful, hungry, shadow of my former self – curled up in bed, cuddling pillows and craving chocolate like I haven’t eaten in weeks.

Obviously, we can’t let our monthly visitor take us down ladies. We have to carry on. We have to fight against the aching pains in our lower abdomen. We have to stifle our hormonal sides and set at least some of the chocolate cravings at bay. Life goes on.

But, I have worked out a few things that make me feel better when it really does feel like the world is going to end and like I may actually have been stabbed in the gut and I thought I’d share them with you…y’know, just in case it helps. Us girls gotta stick together!

1. Tea
I know I talk about tea a lot, but there is a reason for it. It literally makes things better. It makes me calm. It takes me to my happy place. And, it is hot, which just makes your belly feel all warm and cosy, even if it is also feeling just a little bit stabby.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rosie • Blogger/Midwife (@rosieladkin)

2. Hot Water Bottle
You can do this at your desk, at home in front of the tv, wherever – and it REALLY does help. Fill your hot water bottle, sit back for a bit and let the heat dull the ache – trust me, it really does work.

3. Chocolate
Ok, I know, we shouldn’t indulge, we shouldn’t be eating chocolate, we’ve gotta fit in that LBD or look good on our winter-sun holiday to majorca in 3 weeks…..but it’s everything in moderation and in this case, I think chocolate can be totally justified. After all, if it is being used as a medical remedy, the calories don’t count, right?

4. Harry Potter
There is very little that can’t be made a little better by curling up on the sofa in front of a Harry Potter movie. Seriously. They just feel all homely and kinda like nothing can go really wrong in the world, which, when you are feeling super hormonal, means so so much!

5. Baggy trousers and comfy knickers
No, it’s not sexy, but wearing a lacy thong and tight jeans when you feel a little bit like someone just punched you in the stomach and all you want to do is curl up without feeling like you might rip your skinny jeans, or like your underwear has a serious risk or riding….up…. is probably not helpful. Put on some big knickers and some joggers, or even a warm, cosy onesie. You don’t have to look awesome. Cosy is more important!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rosie • Blogger/Midwife (@rosieladkin)

6. Bras off
I don’t know if this one applies to everyone, a few of my friends don’t get affected by this at all, but for me, at that time of the month, my boobs feel little bit like I’m about 12 again and if anyone even accidentally walks into my front I might burst into tears. Ouch. So, Bras off, and let the girls relax a bit. Your boobs need a break from lacy wired bras just as much as your waistline does from skinny jeans and sexy pants….just give your body a bit of a break.

7. If you can, give yourself some time.
Obviously, I know that this isn’t possible for everyone, but even taking a couple of hours out of your day, or setting aside the evening to just relax and stop the world can work actual magic. If you can, do it.

8. Have a bath.
Hot bath, with far too many bubbles and maybe even a super sexy greeny-grey face mask to make you feel pampered and beautiful. Your period has a really cute way of making you feel fat and making your skin break out all at the time where you are the most hormonal….whoever planned that is a super genius! So fight back, and make yourself feel pampered and pretty. So there hormones! Ha!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rosie • Blogger/Midwife (@rosieladkin)

9. Talk to your girlfriends.
Yes, boys are great, and sometimes they can even be better than girls to talk to, but in this case, they just don’t get it. They can try to make you feel better. They can give you cuddles and sympathy. But they can never totally get it. Your hormones are turning you into a hungry, emotional wreck. Your stomach feels like it has a permanent aching bruise. And all you want to do is make a den and hibernate until it has all gone away.
Boys can try to help, but they don’t know how it is really. Your girlfriends know. They get it. If you get super stroppy with them, they get it. If you burst into tears for absolutely no reason, they get it. If you eat your weight in gu chocolate pots, they won’t judge, because they get it.
Sometimes, boys can be awesome, but in this case, your girlfriends just KNOW!

10. Remember, even as rubbish as they are, it is a sign that everything is still ticking over nicely.
Even though it may not be your favourite time of the month, when your period arrives, it isn’t just a friendly reassurance that you aren’t pregnant, it is also your body telling you that you are healthy, that you are fertile, that your body is all still working reasonably well etc etc….it’s a good thing….even if it doesn’t feel like it at the time!

Chin up girlies – look after yourselves. Your period can knock you out a bit, so give yourself the time and do all the things that make you feel better. 🙂