Do you know what the real cause of PMS is? The real cause of all those unwanted symptoms has to do with your hormones. Your hormones become unbalanced where your estrogen increases and progesterone decreases. There are things that make this hormone imbalance worse such as gut bacteria imbalances, refined and processed foods, and stress.
This is why it is so important to eat clean, get enough sleep, address stress, and take care of your gut by enjoying probiotic-rich foods such as sauerkraut, unsweetened full-fat yogurt, and unsweetened coconut yogurt.
PSM is something that affects so many women and believe it or not it can actually become debilitating where women may have to take time off of school or word due to the pain associated with it. To better help manage PSM, here are three tips you can start implementing.
Tip #1: Try Vervain Tea
Vervain tea has a wonderfully calming and relaxing effect on the nervous system and also works to strengthen the liver. It is very useful helping to ease tension and has a grounding quality. Take three cups a day or the PMS A Tea.
Tip #2: Clean up Your Diet
As much as sugar cravings may be at their highest this time of the month, trying to eat as clean as possible is only going to help you feel better. Try to eliminate caffeine, alcohol, and refined and processed foods. Focus on whole foods and lots of green leafy vegetables, fresh fruit, and clean protein.
Tip #3: Address Stress
Stress only makes PSM worse. Try to combat stress by taking a hot bath, trying some yoga, or just taking a walk. These stress-reducing activities will only help to better balance your hormones. These are things you can do at all times during the month.
For this week’s challenge, I challenge you to incorporate the following steps to battle PMS symptoms
- Take a hot bath to reduce stress
- Get moving and exercise 4-5 times per week
- Cut out caffeine and alcohol
- Cut back on sugar, and processed foods
- Add flaxseeds to your daily smoothie
- Try acupuncture