Shark week is a dreaded time for most of us and while it’s tempting to just lay around, watching rom-coms and eating our body weight in ice cream and cookies, it doesn’t help with the cramps. And those are honestly the hardest part to deal with. So girls lets dive in a find out how to make shark week a little more bearable.

AVOID

1. Caffeine

If you cannot do without your morning cup of coffee, it’s probably better to get a decaf instead. Caffeine severely increases your chances of getting cramps and instead of giving you that jolt of energy, it is probably going to leave you curled up in a fetal position.

2. Salty foods
Foods high in salt cause water retention and increase your chances of getting cramps.   Foods high in sodium include chips, processed meals, table salts, fast foods and Chinese food dishes, like General Tso’s chicken and lo mein. When preparing meals at home, eliminate the salt from recipes and use fresh herbs and pepper to season dishes.

‎3. Dairy
As tempting as it sounds to just curl up into a ball and eat tubs of ice cream when your cramps are killing you, that is actually a sure shot way of not getting rid of your troubles and also gaining a few pounds along the way. Dairy products like ice cream, cheese, yogurt, and butter should be used sparingly if you are trying to get rid of your menstrual cramps. These products also contain the cramp-inducing arachidonic acids.

4. Alcohol
If you are one of those rare people who have a relatively calm period and manage to even party during the week, dance all you want but avoid alcohol. Alcohol acts as a diuretic and can cause you to retain water during your period. This can worsen the menstrual cramping by leading to bloating as well.

‎5. Chocolate
Another temptation off the list, sigh! If chocolate to you is synonymous with comfort, welcome to the club. But chocolate is very high in caffeine which can worsen your cramps. Limit yourself to a very small amount during this time.

6. Red meat
If you are a meat lover and enjoy digging into a good steak, this is not great news for you. But its just one week, you can do it. Red meat contains substances known as arachidonic acids which cause menstrual cramps.  Switch to lean meats this week, you will not regret it!

7. Being lazy
I know you probably don’t even feel like walking up to the kitchen to get something to eat, but some exercise is great for you. Being completely sedentary is not going to help with the cramps. Walk, jog, dance a little and the cramps won’t get you down.

TRY

8.  Herbal teas
Since its best to stay away from caffeine if you’re craving something warm to drink, reach for a cup of herbal tea. These herbal teas contain anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic compounds that can reduce the muscle contractions and swelling associated with menstrual pain.

9.  Massage therapy with essential oils
Massaging your abdomen for about twenty minutes with essential oils can help reduce menstrual pain.  The researchers found that massages significantly reduced pain immediately and afterward. Massage therapy for menstruation involves pressing specific points while the therapist’s hands move around your abdomen, side, and back. Here’s a video to help you go about it.

10. Applying heat
Applying heat to your abdomen area in the form of a heating pad or even a warm bath can really soothe your pain and can even be as effective as over the counter medications. If you don’t have a heating pad, its super simple to make one. Take a small pillow/cushion case and fill it with uncooked rice. Stitch or glue the open end. microwave it for a few seconds, don’t overheat! and voila, your heating pad is ready.

Hopefully, these things will help you ease your pain. Have a happy period! 🙂