Over the years I have tried a number of different techniques that have been recommended to reduce the symptoms of PMS / PMT, but most seemed to involve either a large learning curve, expense or they were just not feasible to build into a daily routine.
Due to this, I decided to develop my own tools and techniques that would be simple to use and that could be incorporated into my routine.
So in this post I would like to introduce you to “The Daily Well-being Survey” a quick and simple tool allowing you to detect the very first signs of PMS developing, so that you can actively slow down, relax and potentially prevent any explosive situations from occurring.
This technique is very simple, so I have tried to keep the explanation concise too, in the hope that you do try this tool (for at least a month), starting from the very first day your period starts.
How to do “The Well-being Survey”
Step One:
Buy a notepad small enough to carry in your bag or store in your car etc
Step Two:
Divide one of the pages into three columns and then name each column as follows:
How am I Feeling? Communicate? Need?
Step Three:
Once a day, at a time when you can be alone, or, even better, just before a busy time of day e.g. before your kids come home from school or before you go home from work, answer the three questions listed in Step Two.
Your answers do not need to be detailed, but they do need to be truthful, so do spend a little bit of time reflecting on how you are feeling before you answer the questions.
The first question “How am I feeling?” is fairly self explanatory, the answer you provide here does not need to be long, but it does have to be honest e.g. : I’m feeling happy, a little bit stressed.
The second question “Communicate?” is really important, as it’s an opportunity for you to review your answer to: “How am I feeling?”.
If your answer seemed to indicate a lower than normal mood and you are getting close to your PMS phase of the month, this could be your first warning sign of PMS developing, suggesting a need for you to communicate with your loved ones, so your answer here should be Yes.
Communication is key in reducing PMS, as strangely by opening up and talking to your loved ones it really does take the pressure off, as you no longer have to pretend that everything is “fine”!
The last question is my favourite, “Need?” What’s going to make you feel better today? e.g. a night in front of the TV? no chores for a night or maybe nothing, if everything is Ok!
So there it is, simple huh? if you do give this technique a try, then please do let me know, as I would love to hear your feedback!
HappyMonth.x
