Did you know that stimulation has the potential to heighten your thoughts, feelings and emotions in either a positive or negative way? depending on your mood when the stimulation takes place.

For example,  if you experience a form of stimulation when you are happy then you will probably notice an increase in your level of happiness, whereas, if you experience a form of stimulation when your mood is already low then you may experience any one of the following symptoms:

• Agitation
• Hostility
• Panic attacks
• Aggression
• Flushed Skin

The list above may be very familiar, as it is a very close match to some of the most commonly experienced symptoms of PMS:

• Mood swings
• Feeling irritable or angry
• Feeling upset or emotional
• Anxiety

The commonality between these two lists indicates that by combining negative stimulation along with PMS, you are unknowingly doubling your likelihood of having an “Unhappy Month”.

Stimulation can occur from a number of different sources, such as:

•  Coffee
•  Tea
•  Alcohol
• Drugs
• Music
• Working environment
• Deadlines
• Changes in Temperature

As you can see from the list above, a source of stimulation can either be from a stimulant which is defined as an edible/drinkable substance such as Coffee or from a stimuli such as temperature or music.

Personally, I  now prioitise avoiding stimulants that could produce a negative response 10-15 days before my period is due and instead I focus on introducing all positive forms e.g.:

Negative sources (my avoid or reduce list)

• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Loud/fast music
• Hot Temperatures
• Deadlines
• Lack of food

Positive sources (my negative replacements)

• Herbal Tea
• Water/Fruit Juice/Milk
• Relaxing music
• Cool temperatures
• Reduction of deadlines or less time pressures
• Food at regular intervals.

So, why don’t you give it a try! I guarantee that by reducing any negative sources of stimulation from your diet and/or lifestyle, you will increase your chances of a “HappyMonth”… so please use this post as a guide and see if you notice a difference!

P.S HappyMonth will be featuring in “TakeABreak” magazine this August…. so please pickup a copy if you can!