13 Period Hacks To Ease The Pain & Keep You Healthy

#1 Invest In A Hot Water Bottle

You'd be surprised at how much comfort this thing will bring you.

Applying heat to your abdomen will get the blood flowing and relieve cramps; scientists even say that it has the same effect as painkillers for up to an hour. Researchers at University College London found that using a hot water bottle while relaxing actually blocks the pain messages that are being rapidly sent to your brain.

#2 Have Multiple Orgasms

Getting down and dirty can relieve migraines, cluster headaches, and period pain. The uterus contracts during an orgasm, and afterwards, blood flow increases and your brain is hit with natural chemicals that automatically relieve pain. Judith Golden, a sex therapist, told Best Health magazine that women who masturbate no partner required! during their periods experience fewer cramps, as well as a decrease in irritability and crankiness. That's a win-win if I've ever heard of one.

#3 Do Vinyasa Flow Yoga

There's no doubt that exercise helps with premenstrual symptoms like cramping and a lack of energy.

This particular practice allows you to move the body gently and fluidly, without very little to no impact. There are lots of modifications you can make if anything happens to be too straining on the lower abdominal area; just tell your instructor before, and they'll be able to cue when you should take it easy.

#4 Take Vitamin E

An issue of the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology revealed a study showing that women who took vitamin E supplements twice a day during their periods for four consecutive months reported a lower pain intensity than they had experienced previously. They even took fewer over-the-counter meds as a result, and had more energy. Go to your nearest health foods shop and snag a bottle before your next cycle comes along.

#5 Track Your Cycle

By Using a monthly chart, which can remind you when your period is coming, will help you remember that you are allowed to take some downtime.

#6 Consume More Calcium

If you consume 1200 mg of calcium a day when your period is around, you could possibly cut your menstrual symptoms in half including moodiness and cramping. The easiest thing to do is take some all-natural supplements when you start PMSing, rather than reaching for it when the sky is already falling down on you. Bonus? You'll have stronger bones and reduce your risk of osteoporosis later in life.

#7 Stay Away From Waxing

Everything down there is more sensitive than usual when you're menstruating, so why submit yourself to extra pain? If your period happens to come the week or even the day of your next bikini wax appointment, call in and ask your esthetician to postpone it. She'll definitely understand. Besides, her job will be easier without a tampon string to awkwardly work around.

#8 Use Lavender Around The House

Research says that putting a few drops of lavender oil on your pillow at night helps you sleep like a baby. Well, when you're crampy and cranky, your beauty rest will take all the help it can get. If you can't get your hands on the oil form, grab a lavender-scented candle or incense. It's a relaxing smell that will help you forget about the discomfort and instead make you feel like you're floating on a cloud.

#9 Resist Caffeine

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but reaching frantically for the coffee isn't going to help you out in the long run. Caffeine is known to make your PMS symptoms even worse, and it's linked to elevating the levels of estrogen in the body.

#10 Eat Less Salt

Getting cozy with the salt shaker could make you retain too much water, which leads to uncomfortable bloating. Make an effort to eat less salty foods; say no to those crispy french fries and instead buy raw, unsalted almonds. Finally, when you're experimenting in the kitchen, use less sodium than a recipe calls for.

#11 Sleep More

Temporarily kick your alarm clock to the curb and rack up those Z's. It's been proven that it's normal for our sleep cycle to get a little messed up before and during our periods.

#12 Drink More Water

Put as much H2O into your system as you can get your hands on. It's easy to get really dehydrated when you're losing that much fluid, and chugging water will help ease the most common symptoms, such as bloating and fatigue.

Staying hydrated will also aid with digestion, so you can process your meals better and faster.

#13 Eat Dark Chocolate

As if you need another reason to get your chocolate on. Still, it pays to know the science behind it: You're losing heaps of magnesium on your period, but a 70 percent cacao treat can help you regain that nutrient as it slips out of the body. Steer clear of the candy bars that are at the checkout counter, though, as they're packed with caffeine and unnecessary sugar. Instead, reach for a bar that is made from natural ingredients, or bake something yummy at home using cacao.