If you get periods, this blog is for you!
My cycle is going to start any day now . Here are the routines that I LIVE BY. Everything doesn't work for everyone so I encourage you to try and test things out until you find the perfect routine that works for you <3
You can find the same exact items I use during my cycle here on my Amazon Storefront.
DAYS BEFORE
My body usually lets me know when my cycle is coming about 2 days before it actually comes. I start to feel these super light sensations in my uterus that feels like cramps/nausea. That's when I begin to prep my body.
BURDOCK ROOT TEA
I virtually GUZZLE burdock root tea during the first two days of my cycle. It helps purify my blood and to help flush out all the extra hormones we make during our cycle.
You can take it in capsule or powder form but I've found that the tea works excellent for me.
I usually order the 1lb bag from Starwest Botanicals. Its also available here (same price but faster shipping). It lasts me almost a year!
Directions: All you need is a pinch, add it to a saucepan with boiling water, boil until water is dark brown (about 15 minutes), strain and enjoy. I make a pitcher at a time so I use about a cup of burdock and boil a gallon of water. You can watch how I make it here.
LESS STRICT DIET
I listen to my body and give it whatever it wants during my cycle. I usually crave large bowls of carbs or chocolate or things that I probably wouldn't eat as much of while off my cycle. Don't feel guilty. INDULGE.
FIRST 2 DAYS
The first two days can be hell. Be gentle and forgiving with your body.
REST
Literally schedule time off and try to take these two days off from work and any responsibilities if you can.
I use a mobile app called Eve to track my cycle. There are many many free period tracker apps that will track your cycle for you (it also comes in handy if you're sexually active, by telling you on which days you're most likely to get pregnant.)
FUZZY SOCKS + PACKAGING TAPE
Yes. On my Instagram stories you'll see that I will vaseline my feet and ankles after the shower, put on a fresh pair of fuzzy socks, and TAPE MY ANKLES.
I found this out intuitively. One day I was able to recognize that the pain I was feeling was coming from my ankles (it pays to pay attention and learn your body). I felt like my ankles needed to be squeezed but for a really long time. So I decided to grab some wide packaging tape and tape them. Tight but not too tight to where it hurts.
Also, compression socks do not work.
I later learned that our ankles are connected to our reproductive systems. I still have a lot to learn but it works for me so I'm sticking to it.
CERASEE TEA
I drink Burdock Root to prep for my cycle but once its here I switch to Cerasee tea. It also assists in keeping my blood pure and flushing out extra hormones but in a milder way.
I also drink Cerasee after eating things that may have not been so good on my body.
I recommend the dried leaves to boil as a tea. For me, its much stronger and much more effective.
You can find it here in my shop.
Directions: Add a generous pinch of leaves to a saucepan of boiling water. Boil until water is dark brown. Strain and enjoy! You can drink this as much as you'd like but only when needed.
MAGNESIUM
I take this daily and I highly recommend committing to taking it during your cycle.
Magnesium is great at relaxing our muscles. During our cycles, it relaxes the smooth muscle of the uterus and by reducing the prostaglandins that cause period pain.
You can find the same one I use here.
5mg MELATONIN
I get serious insomnia during my cycle. I assist my body's sleep cycle by taking Melatonin an hour before bed. I sleep like a baby and wake up refreshed, every single time.
This also works if you tend to have insomnia in general.
You can find the same one I use here.
The REST OF YOUR CYCLE
LEARN YOUR BODY!
Learn your body! I cant stress this enough. I just learned a few years ago that my body hates using tampons the first few days of my cycle. It demands that I use pads or I'll cramp so bad for so long. Now I only wear tampons if I'm going out or if it's the last few days of my cycle and I don't want to spot.
ORGANIC PADS AND TAMPONS
When I do use tampons, I invest in the organic ones from Target. They're the most cost efficient in the market right now. You can also order them online on their site or here.
Marley's Notes
That's all! I'll add more to this overtime. For now, check out our community's FEM TALK 1 and FEM TALK 2 highlights where we talked about getting off birth control, different ways to help our menstrual cycles, and sex health.
It's a lot of info so I will do my best to but it in a neat blog post very soon.
Wishing you a breezy cycle this month!
xo Marley