Yachtie Glow: Water, rest, clean diet, sex helps with PMS

May 20, 2018 by Angela Orecchio

Yachtie Glow: by Angela Orecchio

PMS is real, and while it affects us greatly in different ways, we still have to live and function in tight quarters with other people. Because of this we must be conscious of how we act and feel in spite of our hormones.

PMS happens largely because of the progesterone our bodies make after ovulation. Elevated levels of progesterone can cause feelings of anxiety, moodiness, sadness, bloating, cramps, tender breasts, fatigue, etc.

When you’re in the middle of a wicked PMS moment, stop and breathe before responding to people. Instead of snapping at them because you feel like it, decide who you want to be and respond in a way that aligns with your goal. It might sound difficult, but with practice you can be anyone you want to be when you stop, breathe and then respond.

Allow yourself some rest and alone time if needed. Don’t let FOMO (fear of missing out) get the best of you during this time of the month. Instead, curl up with a good book, a cup of herbal tea, a TV series or something inspirational that feeds your soul.

Staying hydrated and limiting caffeine will help balance your mood and lessen cramps and bloating. Keep your water bottle close by and keep track of how much you’re drinking. If you need caffeine, try green tea, Matcha or kombucha for a cleaner and lighter alternative.

How you treat your body the rest of the month will affect the severity of your PMS. Eating clean all month will keep your hormones balanced unlike anything else. Junk food, large amounts of dairy and animal protein do not lead to a healthy body and mind. Instead, load up on fruit and veggies. Eat a balanced diet with plant proteins, starches and fats to feel your best.

If you have a lot of cravings during PMS, plan ahead and buy some healthy snacks, such as organic dark chocolate, that will satisfy a junk food craving but not make you feel worse after eating it.

Don’t underestimate the power of exercise during PMS. When you move your body in a healthy way, you create endorphins and other chemicals in your brain that make you feel good.

It should be noted that sex is an easy fix for PMS symptoms. The amount of feel-good chemicals that are released in the brain when you have skin to skin contact with someone you love and during an orgasm is abundant. This might not be a viable answer for everyone (especially if you’re sharing a cabin), but it’s worth exploring when the time is right.

Angela Orecchio is a chief stew, certified fitness instructor and health coach. Her blog can be found at savvystewardess.com. Comments are welcome below.

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About Angela Orecchio

Angela Orecchio is a chief stew and certified health coach. This column was edited from blog, Savvy Stewardess, The Smart Girl’s Guide to Yachting. Contact her through www.savvystewardess.com.

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