Those five days a month come by way too often and are never pleasant, for any one of us. But why make them worse than they have to be? Yes, it’s possible that some of your habits are causing you to have worse period cramps than usual. Here are some of those things – things you should try and avoid during your period:
1. Eating salty or sugary food
We totally understand that cravings have a mind of their own. And you can’t really go against them when you’re on your period. But if you’re experiencing really painful cramps, you might want to try and cut back. Salty food can cause water retention and sugar can induce inflammation. Try avoiding such foods for a few days and you might notice that your periods are less painful and even lighter.
2. Not exercising at all
No matter how much you just want to lie in bed, it’s not the best thing to do for your cramps. Light exercise is actually recommended when you’re on your period – it gets your blood flowing which, in turn, eases the cramps. Get out of bed, go for a walk, play some badminton. Don’t go overboard with it though – intense exercise can be skipped for the day if you don’t feel up to it.
3. Cigarettes and excessive alcohol
Okay, so a glass of wine here or there might not make much of a difference. But excessive drinking doesn’t just lead to a hangover – it can make your period irregular and painful. On the other hand, we all know that smoking is bad for your health, whether you’re on your period or not. But studies actually show that women who smoke are much more likely to have more painful periods than non-smokers. So if not for your overall health, quit smoking for your period cramps.
4. Not getting enough sleep
The balance of hormones present in your body is very delicate. Even a tiny wrong move can disrupt it. While not sleeping enough might not seem like a big deal, it can cause your body to be more stressed. This affects your pituitary gland, which can cause a hormone imbalance. Cramps aren’t the only things at stake though, this can even make your periods irregular and heavier.
5. Too much caffeine
Coffee, tea, aerated drinks – they all can make your cramps worse. Caffeine is a diuretic and can constrict your blood vessels. Not only cramping, caffeine has also been known to irritate the uterus. If you can’t live without your morning cup of coffee though, try and make sure you at least cut down on the quantity you’re intaking during your period.
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.