No one has ever said it’s easy to be a woman. At any given time, you probably feel like you’re juggling many responsibilities at once and just doing your best to get by. Combine that with a busy schedule, and there’s hardly time to feel anything less than your best. This is exactly where PMS, premenstrual syndrome, can sneak up on you and complicate things even further.
Statistics show that 50–75% of women experience at least mild PMS symptoms. There are a further 20–30% who deal with more moderate and severe forms of PMS. Knowing those facts can be comforting, as it shows you’re not alone in whatever symptoms you’re going through.
Here we’ll take a look at PMS stress specifically, and some of the more unconventional and unusual ways women may cope with it. These ideas could have a positive impact on your own life, providing you with some much-needed relief when PMS stress hits.
Herbal Compresses Can Offer Significant Relief
It’s always helpful to take a look at cultures around the world for tips on how women cope with PMS stress. There are often tips and tricks you may not even be aware of. In Thailand, for example, many women turn to herbal compresses for relief. Thailand has been using herbal compresses to treat various ailments for centuries.
Herbal compresses can help ease inflammation, joint pain, and muscle pain, as well as increase blood flow. You’ll even find some of these herbs used in popular pain rubs, gels, creams, and oils. You can research online which herbs offer the most benefits. When using a herbal compress, it should be warm—not hot. The heat will also aid in reducing pain.
Yoga With a Side of Laughter
Pretty much everyone has heard of yoga, but did you know its roots date back more than 5,000 years? The history of yoga is quite astonishing when you think about how many different generations have found benefit and value in the set of breathing techniques and poses.
In addition to its ancient origins, the core value of yoga is to create harmony between the body and mind. Anyone, regardless of age, can do it, but it takes plenty of practice to master. The more practised you become, the more advanced poses you’ll be able to do.
So, how does yoga help with PMS stress, discomfort, and pain? Scientific research supports its benefits. During your yoga poses, you’ll be focused on taking deep breaths. Deep breathing increases the oxygen that circulates into your muscles, which includes your uterine muscles. The effect is pain relief from PMS cramps. Yoga also offers mental benefits by helping you stay in the moment.
Online Gaming Requires Your Full Attention
Online gaming is often associated with kids and teens, but it’s not exclusive to them. People play games for many different reasons. What you may find surprising is that light, casual online gaming can act as an effective stress reliever. Some women even find comfort in playing online slots and table games—especially when they find bonus deals to keep the costs low.
Video and browser-based games can boost your mood and distract you from things like PMS-related pain or discomfort. You can add another layer to the distraction by choosing a game with a chat feature that allows you to chat with friends or other players during gameplay.
A few of the most popular console-based casual games include:
- Minecraft
- Fortnite
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Super Mario Party Jamboree
- Super Mario Party
- Overcooked 2
- The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Ultimately, it’s about choosing a game style you enjoy and can immerse yourself in. The more it captures your attention, the further the stress will be from your mind.
Journaling Keeps the Mind Busy
If the above-mentioned activities seem like too much work or are not really your speed, here’s a more relaxed tip you can use. Journaling is a wonderful way to occupy your mind and help ease some of the stress you may be feeling.
Journaling has been shown to help with emotional processing, increase mental clarity, decrease anxiety and stress, and even help with personal growth. There are no rules when it comes to journaling. You can write about anything you want. Perhaps you want to write about a particular event or thought you had. This is your chance to be as creative, raw, or honest as you want.
In terms of the items you need for journaling, the classic option is a sturdy bound book with plenty of blank pages. If you’d rather take a digital approach, there are many free journaling apps you can download. A digital journal gives you the flexibility to write anytime you want, even if you aren’t at home.
Music Can Offer Calming Effects on the Mind and Body
Next up, we’ve got one of the most universally effective stress relievers out there. Listening to music can completely transform your mood. Not only that, but it will happen almost instantly. If PMS stress has you feeling overloaded, calming music is probably the best option. It doesn’t even have to be traditional music at that point.
Sounds of nature can be just as calming as soft classical music. Remember, music can match your mood. Creating a playlist of stress-busting tunes means you can listen to them any time you need. Again, this stress reliever is also convenient since you can listen to music on the go.
Suffering in Silence Shouldn’t Be the Answer
If your answer to dealing with PMS stress is to suffer in silence, it’s time to think twice. All of the tips listed above can provide you with much-needed relief that makes a traditionally unpleasant time much more bearable. Don’t be afraid to use multiple tips at once, too—they’re meant to be personalised.