PMS Survival Kit: 10 Things for a Stress-Free PMS

PMS Survival Kit: 10 Things for a Stress-Free PMS

1. Your favorite magnesium supplement

Magnesium – the coconut oil in the PMS world. There’s nothing a little magnesium won’t be able to fix.  

Hormonal migraines? Check! Menstrual cramps? Check!  Insomnia? Check!

Just pick your favorite brand – and your favorite form – and take it regularly, every night before bed, to fight PMS head-on.

P.S. A friendly word of advice – don’t overdose yourself with magnesium, as it can act as a laxative.

2. An extra pair – or two, or three – of period panties

There’s nothing worse than having to run errands on a day your body decides to ferociously bleed – but sometimes life happens and you have to roll with the punches.

To save yourself the trouble of worrying about leaks, or stains, or some not-so-great odors, grab yourself a pair of period panties. Period panties offer a leakproof solution to all your worries – and some are even designed to be worn without a tampon or a pad for lighter days.

On top of that, high-quality alternatives are made out of comfy materials that are fully breathable and keep you fresh throughout the day – no matter what your clothing of choice is.

Pro tip: We recommend Bambody

3. A 10-minute deep breathing exercise

Knowing how to de-stress yourself with breathing exercises is one of those life skills they should probably start teaching in school. #lifewisdom

No clue how to get started? Follow the 4-4-4 breathing pattern: take a deep breath for four seconds, hold it for four, and exhale for four more.

This breathing pattern is an excellent tool to fight PMS anxieties and ground yourself to the present moment.

Pro tip: Your mind keeps wandering around and you just can’t focus? Grab your headphones and use a meditation app like Headspace or simply plug in a guided YouTube meditation for a tiny bit of a much-needed quiet time!

4. Bath bombs!

A shower is cool but bath bombs are cooler. And who doesn’t love bubbles?

If you’re unsure what to pick, let the science of aromatherapy help you decide – scents like vanilla and lavender are more relaxing, and citrusy scents (like orange or tangerine) are more refreshing and energizing.

Pair that up with a nice glass of your favorite drink, a DIY Pedi, and you’ve got yourself a sweet spa deal for less than $20!

Pro tip: We recommend the Organic Bath Bomb by DR. Hempster

5. Heating pads

Hot water bottles are pretty cool too – but heating pads work a tiny bit better if you need to use them on the go.

Look for ones specifically made to relieve menstrual cramps – please remember that those made for neck pain may be too strong and leave your skin burned! – and carry the pack with you.

If you’re in the treat-yo-self mood, consider heating belts that come in all shapes and sizes and are great for back pains too!

6. Your favorite sanitary product

Girl, we won’t tell you what you need here because tbh, you probably already know what you need depending on how heavy your flow is and what feels comfortable.

Simply keep a few extra of your favorite pads, tampons, cups – you’ve definitely got some options here. Carry a couple in your bag or gym bag if Aunt Flo is a little unsure when she’s arriving in town.

Looking for eco-friendly alternatives? Look into menstrual cups – they come in different sizes! – and reusable organic cotton pads to find your best fit.

7. A TV show you never get bored of watching

You know how everyone has their own comfort food? Well, why not declare your own comfort show too?  

Friends, The Office, Sex and the City, How I Met Your Mother… or anything else you’ve been watching on repeat for the last ten years every time you’ve felt like cr*p.  

Why you feel so good while watching Ross yell you threw my sandwich away for the 154th time in a row boils down to science – having a good laughs helps your body relax and pump all the feel-good hormones. You know you need’em!

8. Sheet masks to up your self-care game

Less ughs and more ahhs!

Yes, self-care is much more than just face masks and #treatyoself days but you’ve got to admit – it feels nice to pamper yourself every once in a while.

Give yourself a nice exfoliation first – you may want to go in for chemical exfoliants rather than for mechanical scrubs but will talk about that some other time – and then follow up with a sheet masks for that extra burst of hydration.

Pro tip: We recommend [insert product – Korean face sheet mask]

9. Dark chocolate

Now, we wouldn’t want to declare sugar as the lethal enemy here – it’s not. But during the PMS days? Yeah… not exactly your best friend.

It’s tempting to go on a sugar spree in your pantry when the mood strikes south but you won’t do yourself a favor. Sugar won’t exactly help you keep your mood levels balanced – and once the sugar rush feeling is gone, you end up being even crankier.

Instead, opt for a dark chocolate alternative. Look for brands that have 70% or more cocoa in it – and this thing works like magic to fight cravings!

10. An adult coloring book

If you’re on Instagram, you’ve very likely seen a thousand mandalas and dream catchers by now.

And all of that is great but when you’re in the mood to yell at random strangers for breathing, then coloring bazillion feathers won’t make it.

Enter – the adult coloring cussing book, that’s been all the rage lately. Bonus points for the fact that it helps you deal with your rage and it’s cheap – like really, really cheap – so it’s a win-win combo.

Did you put together your PMS survival kit? What did you choose?

Share this article with your girlfriends and let them know what essentials they need to add to cart ASAP!

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