1. Practise Yoga
Exercising is the last thing that any woman would like doing when she gets annoying cramps. However, while strenuous exercise might not help heal the pain, gentle moves and easy stretches may help reduce the severity and duration of menstrual cramps safely and naturally. When doing yoga, you can try poses that will gently stimulate and stretch your abdominal muscles like the child’s pose, cat pose, cobra pose and knee-to-chest pose.
2. Massage With Essential Oils
A gentle abdominal massage using a blend of soothing oils like almond oil, clove, clary sage, lavender, or cinnamon in a coconut oil base will offer considerable relief from painful menstrual cramps. Just make sure that you're using the right dosage of essential oils and don’t forget to dilute them in a fragrance-free cream or carrier oil to avoid skin irritation or other complications.
3. Avoid Coffee And Drink Herbal Tea
Most of us cannot function without our first cup of coffee in the morning. So if you simply cannot do without it, restrict your dose to just that one morning cup. This is because caffeine constricts the flow of blood and triggers painful period cramps. Swap your coffee with a calming herbal tea like mint tea, ginger tea, lemon tea or chamomile tea and if you need a fix for sugar; snack on raspberries or strawberries and sail through the menstrual mayhem with ease!
4. Add Cinnamon And Ginger To Your Diet
Certain herbs and spices contain specific compounds that may help protect your body against the sudden spikes in inflammation. They work by inhibiting the generation of prostaglandins - chemical compounds responsible for triggering contractions in the muscle. The consumption of ginger and cinnamon can inhibit the production of these pro-inflammatory chemicals and help reduce period pain.
5. Bathe In Epsom Salt
Heat is the best way to get rid of period cramps, so take a relaxing soak with a hot bath. Add Epsom salts to the water as they contain magnesium and have anti-inflammatory properties. Those who need something extra to push through the day can use a hot water bottle to stay warm and comfortable!
Can Switching To A Menstrual Cup Ease Your Cramps?
When searching for ways on how to relieve period cramps, chances are that you came across menstrual cups that claim they can soothe period pain. But do they really soothe period pain as people suggest?
While there are no known or reported facts to believe that they can prevent or lessen the intensity of cramps, there is certainly no harm in giving the menstrual cup a try. When you're already struggling to cope with pain, you certainly don’t want to deal with annoying issues like changing your tampons or worrying about a leaking pad. You should certainly try this cost-effective and eco-friendly solution that can be worn for up to 12 hours worry-free. Just make sure that you choose the right cup size and wear it correctly to avoid any discomfort!
