category: Blog
Most of us have suffered from menstrual cramps at one point in our lives; and when we do we often reach for a bottle of Midol or Tylenol to relieve the discomfort.
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Wouldn’t it be great if we could get relief and not have to touch a bottle of medicine? I know many women don’t believe it’s even possible to get the same relief if it doesn’t come from a bottle, but I think we can though.
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Each person’s body is a little different, so we each need something a little different to get us through our own discomforts. I won’t even try to pretend that one thing will be the magic cure-all for everyone out there, but I really hope women at least give some natural remedies a chance first.
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I don’t take any medications unless I really have to. This isn’t to prove I’m tougher than you are or to stand out in any way, it’s because my body is SO sensitive to every little thing I put in it, that the risks outweigh the benefits in my situation. I am still trying to find the one thing my body needs most when I get cramps, I honestly think I need to just listen more and not just push through it, like so many of us do.
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As many of you know, menstruation is my new passion, I am currently writing a book about it, aimed at young girls and teens. My goal is to give girls facts about their bodies mixed in with some positivity regarding the subject, because I just don’t think there is enough of it out there.
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I really believe that in our present culture, menstruation is a process that causes us to have ill feelings towards ourselves. We see it as an inconvenience or a sign of weakness; I believe that attitude towards our body starts to show up in other ways: our physical appearance (too fat, too skinny, too short, too tall, etc), pregnancy (often times treated as a sickness – or another inconvenience), and birth (my body is broken, I need this medicine to get me through, etc). What would happen if the next generation of girls saw menstruation as a sign of health in their bodies, a sign that their body is functioning just as it should? What if they saw it as an opportunity to listen to their bodies and respond to its needs? I think it could be revolutionary.
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So, today, I would love to give you a few ideas about working with your body during menstruation in a natural way. I know some of them might seem a little too easy, but just give it a try, remembering the entire time that your mind-set is going to matter the most. If you try something, believing it won’t work, then it most likely won’t!
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Please leave your comments and share with me whatever you do to help yourself when you are menstruating. I would love to learn from you; and remember, I’m writing a book for our next generation of girls to read, so let’s make sure we give them plenty of ideas on ways they can work with their body, not just mask its voice.
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Comfort ideas for menstruation:
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- Meditate: take a few moments of quietness and ask your body what it needs this month. Every month might be a little different, so take the time to listen every cycle.
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- Drink more water, keep your body hydrated and refreshed.
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- Eat more iron rich foods. Think about what your body is shedding, you need to replenish yourself. Perhaps some even need an iron supplement (this is not to be mistaken for medical advice, I am NOT a doctor). If you are looking for an excellent iron supplement, try Floradix, it’s my favorite!
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- Try a rice sock, hot water bottle or a warm compress on your abdomen.
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- Rest more. Menstruation is a time when your body is typically requesting that we rest a little more than usual. However, most of us don’t listen, so we get cranky and exhausted instead. Try to take a quick 10-15 min nap in your car at lunch if you work.
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- Drink some tea: Red Raspberry Leaf tea is excellent for menstruation. Earth Mama Angel Baby also makes a Monthly Comfort tea as well.
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- Avoid strenuous activity.
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- Acupuncture: women have reported complete relief with acupuncture usage.
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- Chiropractic care
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- Massage
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- Light exercise: for women who already have an established routine, exercise is usually something the body craves.
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- Crystals: Garnet is said to help with cramps and circulation issues. Pyrite is a healing stone said to reduce swelling and alleviate fever. It has also been used to relieve depression, balance hormones, alleviate pain and ease menstruation discomfort.
