If you suffer from PMS, then you want to know the best ways to combat PMS symptoms. This is a frequently misunderstood health concerned, mostly because many people do not regard it as a legitimate or serious issue. There are a lot of jokes out there about PMS, but the truth is that it’s no laughing matter. For a woman who suffers from it, severe PMS can truly cause a disruption to her daily life. Therefore, if you find yourself riding the emotional and physical roller coaster of PMS each month, the good news is that there is help available.
As you think about how to combat PMS symptoms, the first option to consider is natural supplements. You may want to turn to vitamin D and other key nutrients for a variety of reasons. These nutrients can help to control mood swings and the emotional aspect of PMS symptoms. Taking a multivitamin will help to keep you healthy and strong, and adding extra vitamin D can help to even you out. Eating a well-balanced diet full of natural, whole foods can provide you with natural energy and focus, which you may especially need during this time of the month. Getting back to basics can help tremendously!
Getting to the Root of the Problem and Healing from the Outside In
Many who suffer from digestive issues and related complications want to know how to combat such PMS symptoms. You may find that taking ginger and even mint can help with an upset stomach and any related issues that may plague you. These are known to help settle an upset stomach naturally. Consuming such herbs and spices in advance of when you expect the symptoms to hit can prevent you from suffering PMS-related nausea ever again. A nice cup of green tea, consumed regularly, can also help to settle the system early on. Changing to a PMS diet can also help.
Another thing to consider as you work to combat PMS symptoms is what you can do to help bloating and similar effects. Drinking extra water can help with this, as can avoiding excess salt. You may also find that when it comes to bloating and cramps, taking magnesium and calcium can help. A natural supplement known as maca root can help to even out the extra hormones that contribute to PMS symptoms. Taking a natural approach, you can ensure that PMS symptoms become a thing of the past.
How to Get Started to Combat PMS Symptoms
Naturally, a great place to start is at your doctor’s office if you feel that what you’re experiencing is too uncomfortable or if your symptoms have changed suddenly. That said, aside from medical therapies, you can use the following steps to help combat PMS symptoms, reducing their severity in advance or when they occur.
Lifestyle Changes
Sometimes, being able to combat PMS symptoms requires a few modifications to your everyday life. If you keep these up all month long instead of specifically when you’re uncomfortable, you’ll likely find them to be more effective. Consider these changes as appropriate for you.
- Diet Modifications – This doesn’t mean that you need to overhaul everything you eat, but you can tweak your eating habits to promote fewer symptoms and to ease those that do occur. These include avoiding caffeine and alcohol (or at least decreasing your intake), limiting salt and salty foods, choosing whole grains, fruits, and veggies for healthy complex carbohydrates, getting enough calcium on a regular basis, and eating smaller but more frequent meals.
- Physical Activity Improvements – Most days of the week, try to get a half hour of moderate to intense exercise. This can be a half hour brisk walk – especially outside – riding a bike, swimming, or another cardio activity. The goal should be to do this five days per week. Stretching and balance exercises such as yoga are also helpful. These boost the mood, help you to overcome fatigue, and assist in being able to combat PMS symptoms.
- Stress Reduction – Excessive amounts of stress on a chronic basis can be destructive to your physical and mental wellbeing. This includes making it harder to combat PMS symptoms. Make a specific effort to control your stress levels as much as you can. Prioritize your sleep every night. Practice deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or meditation. Try yoga and/or massage as well. These efforts are all helpful in easing the frequency and severity of headaches, cramping, anxiety, sleep struggles and depressive feelings.
How to Know if Your Efforts to Combat PMS Symptoms Are Working
Keep a record every month for several months to identify your symptoms, their potential triggers, and their severity on a scale of 1 to 10. This will allow you to see where you need to make the effort and whether your strategies appear to be working.