Christmas is nearly here and New Year’s Eve will soon be with us too…..

Now is a really good time to start thinking about how 2015 worked out for you? did you stay committed to the goals you set? did you see a reduction in PMS symptoms?

If reducing PMS/PMT Symptoms is still a goal for 2016, then the below list of lifestyle changes may help you on your journey:

1. During the last 10 days of your menstrual cycle you may notice your energy levels dropping, which can lead to irritability and low moods…. So next year commit to adding additional wholegrain carbohydrate foods into your shopping basket that can be used to help you sustain your energy levels e.g. Sweet Potato’s, nuts, bananas, whole-wheat pasta.
2. Caffeine is known to increase anxiety and irritability, so combine this with PMS and it can be a dangerous combination… So next year commit to reducing your caffeine intake to a maximum of two cups of Coffee/Tea a day during the last 10 days of your menstrual cycle.
3. Commit to positively changing your thought patterns e.g. “expect a happy month and you will”.
4. Commit to talking honestly and openly to your partner, close family and friends about how you are feeling during the month.
5. Commit to making more time for yourself during the day, this could be by introducing meditation, reading, listening to music or any other enjoyable activity.
6. Commit to providing yourself with compassion on those difficult days, remembering to talk to yourself as if you were talking to your best friend, provide yourself with words that comfort and support you.
7. Having a bad day? Is everyone annoying you? Then try Journaling… Grab a note book, a pen and then just write…write down everything that is on your mind, ignore grammar and punctuation, just let your pen do the talking!…. Once done, tear the paper up and throw in a bin, I guarantee any problems will reduce in size and you will feel mentally lighter.
8. Commit to letting yourself relax and slowing the pace down during the last 10 days of your menstrual cycle without feeling guilty.
9. Commit to adding a star to your wall or pocket calendar every month, indicating when you are expecting your PMS symptoms to start, this will allow you to be mindful of your thoughts and actions during this time and will also benefit the people you live with.
10. Lastly, no matter what you decide to do, commit to your goals and make sure it becomes part of your lifestyle, don’t be that person who stops after just a few weeks!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Happy Month.x