3 hacks for a smoother menstrual cycle

If you’re struggling with your cycle, it can feel like an uphill struggle. It can be complicated trying to understand how nutrients and minerals and hormones all interweave to keep your body in balance. Fortunately though, our bodies are always trying to bring us unto a state of stasis (balance). More often than not, solutions can be extremely simple to instigate change, especially when it comes to lifestyle.

If you’re looking to optimise, balance or regulate your cycle, here are three easy hacks to get you started:

1. Sleep better

   How does sleep affect your period? Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland which influences our sleep-wake cycles. It’s melatonin that signals the body that its time to wind down for sleep. It’s also a key player in the menstrual cycle, and disruptions can cause amenorrhea (lack of periods) - (study linked below for those interested). But when it comes to sleep, quality is just as important as quantity, if not more. Some tips for enhancing your sleep are:

   • removing tech from your bedroom and making it a place for sleep only

   • removing any unnecessary lighting - draw curtains to block out street light, turn your digital clock to face the wall and turn your phone off overnight

   • make sure your bed is fit for purpose! Do your mattress and pillows serve you and support your body enough?

   • take time to wind down before bed

   Taking a quick sleep audit can make a huge difference to how you experience your period and cycle overall.

2. Invest in your pleasure

   I know the narrative is that a woman’s body is made to take pain, and to a certain extent, it’s true (childbirth, anyone?!). But we’re also made to experience a ton of pleasure. Did you know that your clitoris has 8,000 nerve endings? That’s twice as much as a penis. And, there’s no known biological function for it. It’s a pleasure organ, simple as that! Cool, right? On a non-sexual level, being in a state where you can receive pleasure happens when your body isn’t stressed. And less stress equals smoother cycles.

   Pleasure can be anything that feels good for you, including:

   • sex, self-pleasure

   • massage

   • enjoying food

   • enjoying time to connect with nature

   • hugs

   • taking a bubble bath

   • filling your home with fragrant flowers

   The possibilities when it comes to pleasure are pretty endless, which means unlimited fun in filling your pleasure tank.

3. Hydration!

   I know it seems like making sure you’re hydrated appears to be the answer to everything, but…it kinda is! Our bodies can’t function without it. Our brains suffer without it. If you’re not drinking enough and your body is dehydrated, that’s a clear signal that you are about to die (if you think about it from a pure survival point of view). And if you’re about to die, your menstrual cycle just isn’t deemed to be important. This is serious (and unnecessary) stress for your body that can be avoided simply by sipping some water.

   If you’re not a water fan, you can try adding fruit for flavour or syrups (careful with the sugar). Tea and juice counts too! Added side benefits to hydrating properly can include more cervical mucus production, support for your kidneys, liver and clearer skin - result!

So there you have it! Three super easy hacks to have a smoother menstrual cycle!

Linked study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1304554/

If you’re curious about applying menstrual cycle awareness to your life, you can schedule a free 30min call with me or check out my coaching space.

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