We’re sure you’re familiar with this situation. You’re going about your business and all of a sudden you feel those nasty tummy cramps. Or. You wake up one morning to a face that’s red with a fresh set of pimples. You hate it, don’t you? No one really enjoys the lead up to our period or the days of. But we put up with it. For a good 30 odd years. But even though it is nasty, it is smelly, it is painful and most of all, icky, your period is actually a good thing for your body. Let’s understand why.
Your period tells you that you’re functioning right
Your period is sort of like a beacon. It is your body’s way of talking to you. When you’re over stressed, overweight or underweight or if your hormones aren’t functioning properly, it will affect the regularity of your period. If you’re suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome but don’t know it yet, irregular periods or periods that go on for a prolonged time could be a sign that you need to seek help. Your period can also help you understand when your body is most fertile. So if you’re trying to have a baby, step one will be to track your period.
Your period tells you that you need to change your diet
Some people have stronger premenstrual symptoms in comparison to others. It is once again, your body’s way of talking to you. If your diet is high on salty or fatty foods, it could show on your skin in the form of period acne. This could also happen if you tend to eat high heat foods like peppers and garlic. Your junk food intake could also affect your PMS as well as your period. Fatty foods tend to increase the number of prostaglandins in your body which can lead to your uterus contracting rather uncomfortably during your period, meaning more nasty cramps. Try to stay away from that bowl of French fries no matter how much your mind craves them. Mood swings are also your body’s way of telling you that your blood sugar levels are fluctuating - so the more sugar you consume during or before your period, the more likely you will face mood swings.
Your period tells you that you are not pregnant
Unless you are actively trying, your period is a sign that you’re not pregnant. Although we always advocate safe sex, people can get carried away in the heat of the moment. Waiting for your period to start while you’re worrying about an unwanted pregnancy can be very stressful. Stay ahead of the game. Stand by a no protection, no sex rule.
Your period tells you it’s time for some self care
You are continually on the run, managing this and that and then your period comes along. It’s your body’s way of telling you to slow down. Take some well deserved time to take some well deserved rest. This is the time for binging on your favourite Kdrama or a bar of dark chocolate.
No person who bleeds will agree that periods are a good time. They are inconvenient and uncomfortable but they are also a way of letting you know that things are working fine down south. So the next time you think, ‘Oh no! It’s my period again’, try to remember it’s just you, talking to you.
