It’s all in the planning

Posted in PMS by HappyMonth

It’s been a few months since I last created a blog post; the main reason is that I needed to spend some time on my own battle with PMS.

As I have frequently stated on this site, I have constantly improved on my own symptoms with a lot of hard work and commitment to the journey.

But I am human, and sometimes I don’t have a “Happy Month”, in fact, I have a completely miserable one, luckily it’s not that often, but it does happen!

So I wanted to spend some time finding out what are the real differences between a good and bad month, in areas such as: my daily routines, eating habits, fitness and communication.

With this insight, I then hope to be able to reduce my symptom further and to be able to share these findings with everyone who reads this blog.

So what did I notice?

Good Month

Awareness: On a good month, I am always fully aware of where I am in my cycle

Fitness: I have a regular fitness routine, adapting at the PMS stage to incorporate activities that will still be achievable with a reduction in my energy

Eating Habits: A good diet with fresh food, water, only two cups of coffee a day and the odd treat*
*everyone needs a treat

Lifestyle: Fully enjoying work and life, knowingly reducing the pace when approaching PMS stage and being kind to myself for doing so.

Communication: Proactive PMS updates e.g. Adding a star to my Calendar, highlighting the estimated start day of my PMS phase and an openness with my loved ones.

Bad Month

Ignorance: No awareness of where I am in my cycle, my mind is busy thinking of future tasks/events that I need to do

Fitness: 2 weeks of regular exercise and then 2 weeks of procrastination and nothingness!

Eating Habits: A good diet for two weeks and then a gradual increase of too much caffeine and undeserved treats 😦

Lifestyle: Trying to keep the pace of life at a constant level for the whole month and when unable to meet my own expectations, adding more tasks on to my to-do list

Communication: “It’s not PMS, I’m fine… “

As you have read, there is a big difference between a good and bad month and the list clearly highlights that there are many elements to focus on if you wish to reduce your symptoms, not just one.

But the biggest piece of advice that I could give, is that it all starts with awareness and being mindful of the present moment and where you are in your cycle.

If you get lost in your work, children, tasks, and to-do lists, then you will never be able to spot the signs that you are about to move into your PMS phase, instead your eureka moment will come in the middle of an argument or at the end of the month, when you would have wasted two weeks of being down, unmotivated and unhappy.

So don’t let PMS win, become aware, make those needed lifestyle changes and have the Happy Month that you deserve.

What’s your goal for 2016?

Posted in New Year Resolutions by HappyMonth

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:

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.
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.
Commit to positively changing your thought patterns e.g. “expect a happy month and you will”.
Commit to talking honestly and openly to your partner, close family and friends about how you are feeling during the month.
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.
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.
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.
Commit to letting yourself relax and slowing the pace down during the last 10 days of your menstrual cycle without feeling guilty.
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.
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

30Nov2015

Do you know your sign?

Posted in PMT by HappyMonth

Nope, not your Zodiac sign! 🙂

The sign that your body gives to you when you are about to enter your PMS phase?

If you do not know what your sign is then it probably means that you are not listening to your body, as I can guarantee, it will be trying to tell you!

Your sign may be:

A change in mood?
A physical symptom?
Or maybe a sensation of some kind?

Your sign is your body’s way of telling you that you need to start your PMS action plan now.

For example, when you experience your sign, you should know that it’s time to:

Start to reduce stimulants
Slow the pace down
Relax
Meditate
Tell the people you live with that you are about to enter your PMS phase

But if you ignore your sign, or just do not prioritise your action plan, then you can probably expect to have a bad month!

So this month, listen to your body, take positive action and enjoy a happy month!

14Nov2015

Time for an early night?

Posted in Quick Tips by HappyMonth

Sleep has an amazing effect on our body and mind.

It allows us to fully unwind and relax from our day.

Most studies recommend 7/8 hours sleep per night but this can vary.

If you are in your PMS phase I would recommend adding an additional hour to your normal sleep pattern, turn off your TV, switch off your mobile phone and fully relax.

This small change will make a real positive difference to your mood and energy levels for the next day…

For me personally, during this phase I tend to go to bed at 9pm and wake up at 7am, this ensures that I am ready for the day ahead in a lovely calm mood.

Why not give it a try?

HappyMonth.x

28Sep2015

Have you taken action yet?

Posted in PMS, PMS Symptoms, PMT, Quick Tips by HappyMonth

I have met a number of people over the years who are very aware that they have PMS, maybe they have read some books, watched some YouTube videos… but most have never actually taken any action, even though they have spent many hours researching different tools and techniques.

Maybe these people are just not ready…? As to be honest, it does take a huge amount of commitment to achieve any real results and to ensure that they stay a habitual part of your life.

PMS can be cured! …. But it really depends on if you are ready for the journey?

The journey can be very long, filled with many lows at first, but it’s so fantastic when you actually start to see results for yourself, such as improvements in relationships, reduction in monthly tension and of course your first fully Happy Month, wow that’s a great feeling!

So are you ready to take action?

If you are, then you may be interested to know that I am in the process of writing a 31 day workbook, which will aid you in your journey to become PMS free…. and I hope that this will be available from Amazon very soon!

7Sep2015

Caffeine, the enemy of PMS

Posted in Nutrition Advice, PMT, Quick Tips by HappyMonth

I love coffee!

My favourite has to be from Nero’s, normally a White Americano!

Coffee gives me that well needed energy boost in the morning, it relaxes me after lunch and it is my favourite daily treat.

But somehow, this lovely daily treat, turns into the evil side kick of PMS once a month…. and the stimulation qualities seem to focus themselves on heightening my annoyance, anger and irritation rather than anything positive such as relaxation or energy.

But I need coffee?

So to combat this, I realised that I had to reduce my caffeine intake during my PMS phase, which sounds easy, but when you are ever so slightly addicted to the substance, it is very easy to say yes when someone offers you a cup!

So I am now very strict with myself, limiting myself to two cups if I feel that I am ok, but if I sense even the slightest hint of PMS, then its straight on to the Camomile Tea!

Could you benefit from the same approach?

29Jul2015

Does PMS really exist?

Posted in PMS, PMT by HappyMonth

This question is often asked in the media and a question that some people believe the answer to is “No it does not” …. but this is absolutely incorrect, PMS is a real condition with many symptoms that cause a lot of unhappiness to many women around the world.

The Happy Month website aims to promote a number of techniques, tools and lifestyle changes that can be used to help reduce and resolve real symptoms.

I am very passionate about this topic due to suffering with the condition and resolving it with absolutely no medication.

Happy Month is here to help, please get in contact with me if there is a specific topic/subject area that you would like help and advice on.