How to deal with PMT the natural way…

So I feel like my pre-menstrual emotions have stepped up a notch since having a baby…

As a women we have to deal with PMT in some capacity usually. I know some friends who get really bad cramps, some headaches, and some it affects their moods the most. I have always been in the last camp - feeling a bit more sensitive once a month.

But it has only been since having migraines more in my adult life (not fun at all!), that I started to track them and realised they were in line with my period cycle too. I tend to be more susceptible to them just before my period each month - this is a topic for another blog post I feel.

And since having my daughter I feel I’m having a whole new level of emotions just before I come on each month. I don’t think I’m the only one, as I have spoke to other mums that feel the same.

It’s a really hard subject to write about, because I find it really hard to describe the emotions. But I just don’t feel myself, I am super sensitive and emotional and all the normal day to day house stuff just feels overwhelming!

This weekend Ben found me in tears on the bed, after having gone for a run in the sunshine. I spent most of the run trying to figure out why I was feeling so down and pushing myself to think about what I was grateful for. I think when I got back and showered, all the emotions just came flooding out. I think it’s really good to cry sometimes, it’s important for stress and upset to leave our body.

We all have stuff going on in our lives, but during these couple of days I find I’m massively overwhelmed by it all and I cannot cope. I also feel for Ben because he is the one who gets the brunt of it.

So, here are my tips to help you get through the monthly craziness…!

Create a to do list

What I find really helps is getting all the admin tasks out of my head. Get yourself a notepad and write down all the stuff that needs doing - the laundry, buying that birthday gift, planning that day out, etc. Even better, share it with your partner and get them to help you tackle it! It can be so overwhelming juggling a family, household and career all at once and you can constantly feel like there is too much to do. But writing it down, giving it the energy it needs and then ticking it off when it’s done/progressed can give you the little glimmer of hope you need!

Mark the date

This sounds silly but we write on our calendar when I am due on. It really helps Ben know that he needs to be a bit more mindful on those few days… I hate that he has to do this, but if it helps him then I am all for it! Unfortunately, every month when I become a bit sensitive Ben checks the calendar and realises why. But this is good as it opens up the conversation… Which leads to my next point.

Talk to your support network

Being open and talking about your feelings really helps. Sometimes I worry that sharing it with Ben won’t help but actually I find that it really does. He is super logical and it’s good to share how I feel as he will help snap me out of it and focus on what I can control. I also find chatting to my girl friends about it really helps as they can empathise and know what its like. My mum is also amazing and often is the one I call when I am crying for no reason. She always comes to the rescue! Definitely don’t suffer in silence, talk to someone about how you feel as it really helps process and work through it.

Drink lots of water and eat healthily

I find that keeping hydrated and eating regularly and healthily helps. This is partly because of my migraines too, but I am sure hydration is the answer to a lot of things in life!

Get outside with nature

Nature is the best. In the last 48 hours I have bathed myself in nature as much as possible with bike rides, paddle boards, swims and runs. It really helped to literally sweat out my emotions and get me back on track.

Journalling

Finally, journalling is a great thing to do when you don’t feel yourself. Writing down your emotions helps you pass through them and out the other side. It can also be really funny reflecting back on them in the future as you move through different stages in your life. This blog is an example of journalling - it is good to get all the emotions out and also reflect on what stuff actually works.

I am totally up for hearing anyone else’s advice on natural approaches to helping with PMT and I will try anything! Please drop me a message with any feedback, ideas or advice!