How To Nourish Yourself During Your Period
There is powerful wisdom in the menstrual period. It is not just a week of bleeding, a week of maxi pads and Diva Cups and pelvic cramps. It is a time of great insight and renewal, reflection and intuition. We have access to the deeper parts of our subconscious and much more of our inner truth during this time. Menstrual messages are the body’s wisdom coming forth!
Our menstrual cycles are intimately tied to the moon and the lunar phases. Just as the moon goes through a period of darkness each month with the new moon, so do our womanly bodies. The ebb and flow of our energies throughout the month is natural and beautiful, innate and wise beyond our wildest imaginations.
Renowned astrologer Demetra George states that during the dark of the moon, this is where “life cleanses, revitalizes, and transforms itself in its evolutionary development, spiraling toward attunement with its essential nature.”
How beautiful is that?! This actually brings tears to my eyes writing these words (probably because I’m on my period right now). But truly, that quote and the meaning behind it touches me so deeply and makes me feel so unbelievably blessed to have this monthly experience that gives me so much insight into myself. It makes me value myself in ways I never knew how until I began appreciating my period.
My period has shown me now to love myself unconditionally and value myself on a deeper level. THIS is the magic of the menstrual cycle.
Our periods are meant for slowing down, for turning inward, for reflection, for dreaming, for honoring what’s coming up for us physically as well as emotionally, and for connecting to the most basic and powerful cycle that is bestowed upon us as women.
When we show respect for our bodies in this way, they respond to us with comfort and ease. Our period weeks can go from uncomfortable painful cramps, menstrual migraines, horrendous mood swings, and profound lethargy to gentle pelvic fluttering, cozy sleepiness, and emotional release.
So many women suffer through their periods. They dread this time of the month. But it does not have to be this way.
Menstruation is not the curse of being a woman. Not even close.
It is a GIFT. It’s the gift of LIFE. Of CREATION. Of RENEWAL. Of ANCIENT WISDOM. Of the DIVINE FEMININE.
How do we take back our periods? How do we reclaim the magic found within the darkness of the menstrual cycle? How do we look forward to this week of bleeding rather than disowning it?
We nurture ourselves.
We mother ourselves.
We prioritize our bodies and tune into our deepest needs.
I did not fully appreciate my period and everything it was gifting me each month until my late 20s. I was medicated on various forms of birth control for about nine years and very much viewed my period as a liability rather than a superpower. It was an annoyance, it was messy, it got in my way, and it slowed me down.
It wasn’t until I received the diagnosis of PCOS and embarked on my own hormone healing journey to manage this condition naturally, outside the influence of medications and more birth control, that I fully came to understand the power of the menstrual cycle and appreciate it for all its beauty.
How To Nourish Yourself During Your Period
Herbal tea
Herbal tea is so lovely during your menstrual cycle. The warmth increases circulation and is helpful for increasing the delivery of oxygen and mineral-rich blood to the womb space. Herbal tea is caffeine-free, and is a nice accompaniment to the sleepy nature and increased need for rest during this time. I enjoy a homemade herbal concoction of fresh minced ginger, a cinnamon stick, stinging nettle, and red raspberry leaf during days one and two. This blend of herbs is warming and increases circulation, serves as a gentle uterine tonic, and always alleviates my cramps. A touch of honey makes it absolutely divine!
Hot baths
Full submersion in water is comforting and wildly restorative. The heat increases circulation, helps induce feelings of relaxation, and allows for some much needed alone time that we often crave during our periods. A cup of Epsom salts helps with drawing out toxicity as well as providing magnesium, and magnesium is a relaxing mineral that helps alleviate uncomfortable menstrual cramps. I like my baths as hot as the water will go for a good sweat
Lots of rest
My bed and couch get a lot of action during my bleed week. It is not uncommon for me to sleep 9+ hours a night during my menstrual cycle. I used to feel lazy, sluggish, and guilty for needing so much rest. But I now realize that it was my bodily wisdom asking me to slow down more during this intense week of bleeding. No more guilt. And no more pushing myself because I “should” do this workout, and because it’s hip in the wellness world to “never miss a Monday”. When I honor my increased need for rest, I find that I am much more productive and energized during the other phases of my cycle.
Naps
Naps often feel very good to us during the first day or two of our period, when bleeding is the most intense and physical energy and hormone concentration is at its lowest. Again, I used to experience a lot of guilt around needing so much rest. Little power naps here and there are often exactly what I need during these long first days. Even just the simple act of lying down, being still, and doing absolutely nothing for a bit is so restorative for the body. The increased need for sleep during your period is bodily wisdom coming through, and it’s important we heed these messages so that we can fully replenish.
Reading
I’m the type of reader who has her hands in about 6 different books going at any given time. There’s something so simple and yet so comforting in cozying up with a good book, with nothing more to do than to slow down and disappear into the pages for the next few hours. During my period, I go to what is calling me, and sometimes that’s a reread of Harry Potter for the 47,237th time. It’s all about comfort and soul nourishment during this week, after all!
Meditation
My menstrual meditations are so insightful and revealing. I find that 20-30 minutes of Tibetan singing bowl sounds or healing frequencies feel the best to me during my period. Other times of the month, I enjoy a guided meditation. I love how effortless the stillness comes to me during this time. My mind settles right into the cushion of the music, my body relaxes, and the metronome of my heart takes me deep into my subconscious where my truth and my deepest desires live.
Journaling
My journal is always close by during my period. Menstruation is all about releasing, going inward, and having great access to that which lives just below the surface in our subconscious minds. I do lots of writing during this week. Sometimes its so wander-y and disconnected, and its only after I get my words and thoughts out on the paper that I can make sense of it. I almost always gain deeper awareness of what my heart wants and where I need to shift my focus to in the upcoming month. I also write down my dreams first thing in the morning. Menstrual dreams carry deep wisdom!
Gentle Walking As Exercise
I don’t worry about working out during my period anymore. I used to push myself all month long, even during my heavy bleeds, and I realize now how depleting that was for my energy and essence. It’s often a good sign that if a workout is depleting you rather than adding to your life/fitness levels/happiness, that it’s time for a course correction in favor of something more appropriate! If I do any sort of exercise during my period, it’s walking in the beautiful park close to my house with big redwoods and a stream flowing through it. Nature restores my soul, the fresh oxygen feels good in my lungs, and the sunshine on my face helps elevate my mood. Beyond the walks (and the occasional yin yoga practice), I don’t worry about exercising during my bleed week.
Qi Gong
Qi Gong is the practice of combining breath with movement and cultivating vital life force energy that is present in us and around us at all times. It’s a wonderful way to activate the body and the vibrational element of our beings and really be present in our body. It’s not strenuous, is wildly restoring, and is one of my favorite ways to recenter myself during my period.
Castor Oil Packs
Castor oil is an ages old remedy that is powerfully anti-inflammatory, supports the immune system, provides antioxidant support, facilitates transition from sympathetic (fight or flight) into parasympathetic (rest and digest), provides a feel good dopamine surge, and breaks up biofilms inside the body. They are wonderful for alleviating cramps and pelvic discomfort. Place a castor oil pack on your lower abdomen and cover with a hot water bottle to facilitate blood flow and increase circulation.
Rescheduling Social Events
Most women have very little energy during the early days of our periods. This is because hormonally, everything is low: estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). If I have parties, lunches, hikes, or networking events, I cancel them and reschedule for my follicular or ovulatory phases. I used to have a lot of guilt around this as well, shameless people pleaser that I am (was!). Guilt seems like a recurring theme for me, doesn’t it? I think this is true for many women. I can say with full truth now that I no longer feel guilty for honoring my body’s needs. There will always be another day to do lunch with a friend.
Clary Sage
Clary Sage is my favorite essential oil for menstrual discomfort. I diffuse it for the aromatherapy benefits, I apply it topically to my abdomen and the bottoms of my feet for a gentle massage, and I use a drop or two in my nightly bath. It’s soothing, relaxing, earthy, grounding, and I find that it helps ease any menstrual cramping, as well as helps balance my moods and general sense of wellbeing.
Hot Soups
Heat increases circulation, and blood flow is a good thing during your period. We want our menstrual blood to flow out easily and continuously, and one of the ways to facilitate that is with hot soups/hot stews. In fact, Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners do not recommend drinking cold or even room temperature water during the menstrual phase, as this is thought to increase cold in the body during a time when we want increased circulation and warmth in order to completely expel our menstrual blood. I am always sipping hot herbal teas and warm lemon water during my period. Heat helps the blood to flow out so that we are less likely to have left over uterine lining for the next month.
Hot Water Bottles
Again with the heat! Another theme! For days 1 and 2 of my period, you can find me resting on the couch with Harry Potter, a mug of herbal tea, my journal, a diffuser with 3 drops of Clary Sage, a comforter, a castor oil pack on my abdomen, and a hot water bottle right on top haha. Heat applied to the lower abdomen is just marvelous during your period!
Crying
Your period is a release. A shedding of the uterine lining. A new beginning for the coming month. I have my best cries during my period, when my body is physically releasing, and evidently when my emotions wish to be released as well. Our tears are yet another way our bodies cleanse. If I am ever having a challenging period (that’s rare nowadays) where I’m feeling particularly bogged down or emotionally stuck, a good cry always helps. Emotions need to be felt and expressed. Allowing them to move through us is deeply healing and part of our human experience.
Taking A Personal Day (Or Two)
Call out of work next time you get your period. Just do it! Even if it’s just for day one (but seriously, bonus points if you take two days). Allow yourself to recluse in your house, cocoon, nest, rest, disconnect from the outside world and spend this sacred time in your inside world. It will make so much difference in your quality of life that you will wonder why you didn’t do this the whole time.
Allowing Yourself To Be Cared For
Women are natural caregivers. We are the keepers of life, love, and harmony in our households. And we often put others first before we take care of ourselves. As a natural caregiver myself (Libra, 7w6, recovering people pleaser and RN for 12 years), it’s very much in my nature to care for others rather than be cared for myself. Now, I say yes when my husband offers to cook dinner or tidy the house or run the errands during my moon time. I say yes to Instacart, and I say yes to that favor a dear friend has offered to me. It’s not selfish. It’s not grandiose. It’s a basic need, to be cared for. And on top of all that, I know that the people in my life offering to care for me WANT to. It’s an act of radical self love, saying YES to receiving love, nurturance, care that our loved ones are offering us. I am not a burden. I am not being annoying. I am allowing myself to receive the same love and kindness that I so freely give.
It is the most wonderfully restoring experience, to lean into the slow, inward energy of my period and view it as a monthly gift. When we honor it, it honors us right back. It’s a partnership. And this partnership that I have with my body is one of the most sacred and cherished partnerships I have.
When you start to tune into your body during your period and really make an effort to prioritize your needs during this time, things start to shift in some very powerful ways.
—Your physical body begins to feel better and more energized.
—Your attitudes toward your career/job shift in positive ways.
—You’re a better colleague and more productive at work.
—Anxiety and depression lessen.
—Hope and excitement for the coming month increases.
—Happiness grows where it was lacking before.
—Self-love increases.
—A new relationship with your body emerges.
—You gain stronger insight into your intuition.
—Your capacity to take care of your family and family increases immensely.
It’s definitely a shift—to view your period in this way. The fact that I had so much guilt around this notion of self-care is a testament to how deep our cultural conditioning goes. I know I’m not the only woman to internalize and inherit this guilt. Nourishment during the menstrual cycle is not an indulgence. It is a necessity.
Your period week can be one of frustration, annoyance, angst, and challenges.
Or it can revitalize you and replenish you for the upcoming month.
It can give you access to your wild creativity, your life force energy, your divine sexuality, the inner workings of your brilliant mind, and the deepest yearnings of your heart.
I encourage you to nourish yourself fully and wholeheartedly the next time your period comes. Go inward. You may just fall in love with what you find inside!