9 Easy Steps to get through that time of Month

Let's start out by doing a little pop quiz.

First question: How many days are there in a month? Most of you will say what we learned in school: 30/31 except for February.

Next question: Out of those days in a month, how many of them are good days? This question may initially puzzle you and make you think about this for a little bit. Don't think too hard though, it's not meant to make you stumble.

Last question: Why are some days better than others?

Again, a thought provoking one, but not meant to be challenging. Generalized answers may include how your time was spent, your mood, and how things were going in your work and personal life.

You see, for me, out of the 30/31 days of the month, I could say that I enjoy 25 of them. My husband would probably tell you the same thing. You see, because when I don't have a good couple of days, it seems as though no one in my family does either. It is kind of like a domino effect--when I fall, they all fall; when I'm up, they're up. Happy wife, happy mama, happy life. Isn't that how the saying goes?

I'd like to think so.

Look, I know no one wants to talk about. Not many people even want to read about it. But the truth of the matter is that around the same time every month, the majority of the women out there have to go through the same old symptoms of feeling bloated, moody, crampy, and uncomfortable. We all could sit around and agree on all those symptoms, but not many of us want to disclose any more than that. What makes them better. What makes them worse. What works, and what doesn't.

At the end of the day, we all just want to know the secret recipe to making the time and process faster and more enjoyable--- if we can even put the two in the same sentence.

For some it's a double dipped ice cream cone from DQ, for others it's sitting on the couch watching a Law and Order SVU marathon, and for many it means taking all the frustration out on others around us, especially our loved ones.

I'm a little mix of everything, but after having some pretty crappy months, I finally got a routine down that just helps me get my mind off things and speeds up those dreadful five days. I call it the five day cure.

1. Music. Have Pandora, have the radio, have the cd/bose or whatever else you may have playing some music that you can move too. Music always has a way of helping me forget the moodiness, cramps, and just overall uncomfortable-ness.

2. Heat Pad. If you don't own one, get it! It's been a lifesaver for the painful first couple of days when you want to just curl up in your bed. You get to lie there, but you just do so with something warm across your belly.

3. Lollipops. Instead of popping pain pills in, I pop in a lollipop. Sure, my dentist may not always approve, but I figured if it's just a few {or a bag} then it's well worth it.

4. Clary sage oil. Rub it on your belly and the cramps are literally almost gone. I never allow this stuff to run out. Ever.

5. Avoid salt. I'd tell you to also avoid sugar, but I won't even go there because that's not even something that I am capable of doing. Now, I love myself some salt as well, so it is challenging, but it only makes me feel worse when I have more than I should, so I just try to minimize it as much as possible.

6. Comfortable clothes. I'm talking yoga pants and my husband's shirts. The more comfortable I feel in my clothes, the more comfortable I am overall period.

7. Water, water, water! And lots of it. My rule is to fill up my water bottle at least 6 times a day, and I keep a little tally on my hand to help me remember. Also eating more water-based foods such as watermelon, cucumber, lettuce, and berries helps as well.

8. Cinnamon. My doctor told me about this, and it really does work!

9. Watch your diet. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and fatty foods. Eat more chicken, brown rice, fish, nuts, and green leafy vegetables.

So that's my list, have you ever thought what you do during that time of month?

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