Name: Sayunkta
Age: 24
Location: Delhi, India
What I Do: Junior Editor, POPxo
Premenstrual Syndrome or PMS is a term used more casually than a ‘How do you do?’. Every time something upsets us or makes us irritable, there comes a flying accusation–‘Are you PMSing?’. As if logic and basic understanding also have a time of the month. But PMS is much more than mood swings. Apart from emotional symptoms such as stress, anxiety and difficulty with sleep come physical symptoms like bloating, acne, fatigue and body ache too. On top of it, these are only warning signs to a world of pain that we are yet to experience the week after.
While we can’t negotiate these terms, I like to do some things to make myself feel better and comfortable during PMS. These include basic things like paying extra attention to my skin, which tends to break out before periods, and small steps towards a more relaxed me. After all, self-care isn’t selfish, ladies, it’s necessary. Plus, being a resident of a dangerously polluted city like Delhi not only calls for a #SelfCareSunday every day, but also extra TLC during the PMS week. I follow three rituals that cost less than Rs 800, last for months and work like a charm.
3 Rituals To Survive PMS Like A Pro
There’s another thing you need to know about me. I have PCOD, which 1 in 10 women suffer from. In addition to an irregular cycle, I also have to worry about my weight and acne on a daily basis. If you can relate, you know how tough PMS can get especially for us. But as they say, ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going’.
So, here are the three monthly rituals that help me calm my mind, body and soul making my PMS week a delight.
MIND: Lavender = Good Night’s Sleep
One of the harshest difficulties with PMS is the nights that are spent tossing and turning in bed trying to find a comfortable position. Happens to me all the freaking time. As if the days aren’t hard enough. The best (and therapeutic solution) to this is lavender. The fragrance from the oils of the lavender plant is believed to help promote calmness and wellness. It’s also said to help reduce stress, anxiety, and possibly even mild pain.
In other words, lavender is what sweet dreams are made of. Just light this scented candle before bedtime and end your day with its comforting and calming aroma. Yes, that’s how you do #SelfCareSunday every day. It says so on the packaging!
BODY: Blueberry To Zap The Zits
My combination skin tends to get oilier before my periods leading to pimples. Oh, how I loathe them! While you can opt for a monthly facial a week before your periods to avoid breaking out, there are other alternatives that are easy on the pocket and effective on the surface.
I use a gel-based moisturiser, precisely this Blueberry Face & Body Gel, for my skin. It’s an absolute pleasure for all skin types, especially for oily and combination skin. With antioxidants like blueberry, basil and aloe vera extracts, it helps control excess oil while providing the right amount of hydration. Include this in your CTM routine, and follow it with extra dedication during the PMS week. You can also apply it to your body after showering.
SOUL: Exercise ‘Coz I Like To Move It, Move It!
As much as I hate working out (or getting out of bed) during PMS, I gather up all the courage and get my butt on a treadmill. Earlier, I would jog but Delhi is not environment-friendly enough to do that anymore. It’s very important to keep your body moving even during PMS. There’s no get-out-of-the-gym-free card this time of the month.
A recent study in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that women who hopped on a treadmill three times a week for three months reported fewer PMS symptoms. So, whether you like it or not, I suggest you, too, should move it, move it!
Well, that’s it! Something to save your mind, body and soul. Don’t let the PMS blues get you down now, ladies.
Featured Image: Instagram
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