Embracing Your Feminine Energy

Menstrual Cycle Self Care Tips

Ahh thy holy period. Yes, I’m talking about that time of the month that makes you want to rip your hair out and completely devour all the chocolate in your pantry. Despite the discomfort most of us women face at the hands of our monthly gift, it is also a powerful time as we are in tune and deeply connected to our womb.

The menstrual cycle is a monthly process in which the body gets ready for a possible baby. It takes about 28 days and involves hormones causing the release of an egg and preparing the uterus. Estrogen makes the uterus lining grow, and when an egg is released, estrogen and progesterone keep it ready for a possible baby. If no baby happens, these hormones drop, and the uterus lining is shed which results in a period. Estrogen grows, progesterone maintains, and together they manage the menstrual cycle. Hormones like estrogen and progesterone can sometimes make women feel a bit moody or sensitive before their period. It’s called PMS. But not everyone feels the same way, and other factors like stress also needs to be taken into account. Menstruation or a period, is a natural process that happens to girls and women every month. It’s when the body releases blood and tissues from the uterus through the yoni (vagina). This usually lasts about 3-7 days. It’s a sign that the body is not pregnant, and it’s a normal part of growing up and embracing the sacredness of feminine energy.

“A woman’s menstrual period is a very sacred time because this is when a woman is most spiritually in tune, and most sensitive to her surroundings. She’s more open and better able to receive messages from source energy that is going to help her live in a more harmonious state.”

Queen Afua, Sacred Woman

Every woman’s experience during their menstrual cycle is unique to the individual as our bodies are all different. Here’s a couple of tips that I’ve come to find with time, that ease my body during my period and have become essential components to my period cycle routine. Firstly, It is important for you to listen to your body’s needs. If you feel as though you need to spend the day in bed relaxing and rejuvenating, do so. If you feel like your body needs movement, then go for a walk or a lite workout. During your period cycle, you are more in tune with your intuition so it is important to listen to any nudges you feel in your body. Given that the hormones being released in your body during your period cycle make you sometimes feel.. well emotional in the more melancholic way, it is a good idea to allow yourself to process any emotions you feel coming to the surface during this time as it allows you to release any stagnant or repressed emotions that may have been burdening you. Your period cycle is a time for shedding old skin and cleansing what needs to be released from within your energetic vortex. If you feel the urge to cry, do so as this is healing.

Indulging in a warm cup of freshly brewed herbal tea is always an essential part of my period cycle routine. Not only does tea provide a sense of comfort, but certain herbs are very beneficial during this time as they can bring a sense of release to the symptoms you normally experience during your cycle. Guava leaf tea is a good example of a tea you’d want to seek comfort in during your cycle as it is believed to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It’s believed to help alleviate menstrual cramps and reduce discomfort. Some other teas that you’d benefit from drinking during your cycle are:

• Peppermint Tea: May help with bloating and relaxation.
• Ginger Tea: Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, it may help with menstrual pain.
• Chamomile Tea: Can have a calming effect and may help with stress and anxiety.
• Raspberry Leaf Tea: Often used to tone the uterus and relieve cramps.
• Dong Quai Tea: In traditional Chinese medicine, it’s believed to regulate menstrual cycles and ease discomfort.
• Nettle Tea: Rich in nutrients and may help alleviate symptoms like fatigue and bloating.

If you really want to make sure that your period cycle is anything less than a pleasant emotional experience then I highly recommend mostly consuming foods that will produce good gut microbiome as 95% of serotonin is produced in the gut. If you are unaware, serotonin plays a huge role in mood regulation, appetite, and sleep. Three very important elements that are vitally important for good mental health. Given that blood loss obviously occurs during your period cycle, I find that adding foods such as guavas, red dragonfruit, or beets help boost vitamin levels. Vitamin C, which is essential for iron absorption, and iron, which is a key component to hemoglobin which is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to tissues throughout the body. If you suffer from low iron or annemia, adding more fruits and foods rich n vitamin C and iron is heavily recommended. This can help prevent fatigue or lethargy. Although, eating healthy should be prioritized, balance is always the best approach so do not hesitate to treat yourself to a yummy chocolatey treat. After all, chocolate does help stimulate the production of oxytocin in the body, the love hormone, if you will. I would also like to note the importance of staying hydrated during your cycle. We are composed of 75% water, so it is crucial to drink an adequate amount of water to avoid dehydration and to make up for fluid loss during menstruation.

Let’s talk feminine hygiene products. Every woman is different, therefore, exploring different hygiene products will help you cultivate more comfort for yourself during your period cycle by aligning you with products that meet your body’s needs. From tampons, to pads, to period cups…. Not all products are equal in quality and the only thing you should be putting in or near your yoni is strictly high quality products. Opting in for Organic cotton products will have an impact on your body as it is typically not grown with synthetic pesticides and fertilizers which reduces the risk of exposure to harmful chemicals. Organic cotton is also free from synthetic additives, fragrances, and bleach which all affect your yoni’s health. Organic practices also tend to be more environmentally friendly and organic cotton products are biodegradable which helps reduce environmental impact to an extent. I recommend using products from brands such as Cora, Rael, or OÍ Organic Initiative.

Hygiene products aside, I personally find that heating pads are a non-negotiable during your period cycle, as it helps soothe cramps and muscle aches you might experience so I recommend getting one of those if you don’t already have one. Creating a relaxing environment that your nervous system can feel at ease in is beneficial during your period cycle as it can make the experience less unpleasant. To help me do this, I like to relax under a warm weighted blanket and light vanilla scented candles while listening to relaxing healing frequency at 286 hz. Maybe this will work for you, or you can create your own relaxation routine that you can fall back on during our period cycle. If you experience bad cramping you can take ibuprofen or another pain reliever. However, given that I advocate for holistic health, I encourage you to explore holistic alternatives for pain relief. Elix Cycle balance has been a product I’ve been raving over. Elix mixes traditional Chinese medicine with modern clinical research and they develop natural treatments that are Organic and effective. Elix invested in a clinical trial to prove that there are holistic solutions that can help heal the root cause of period symptoms. The results revealed an improvement in 15 PMS and menstrual symptoms overall. Additional insights gained from the study also showed a decrease in the use of over the counter painkillers with the help of Cycle Balance. 

Overall, your period cycle is a sacred time in which you are more in tune with your body and intuition. A cleansing is occurring so within as without so it is important to honor your body during this time by creating a routine that’s conducive to a healthy way of living and being to benefit your body and soul. Being a woman means you’ve been gifted with the beautiful intricacies of menstruation. Remember to be kind to yourself and your body. I hope that you find these tips helpful and I thank you for taking the time to read my blog 🙂 leave a comment to share any feedback you have ☺.