Dealing with PMS
by Divya Nambiar - April 13, 2009
PMS is a combination of physical, psychological, and emotional symptoms related to a woman's menstrual cycle. The symptoms, which can be rather unsettling for many, appear two weeks prior to a woman’s menstrual flow and vanish either during or after the flow.
Symptoms of PMS
While a large number of symptoms have been identified, three of the most typical are irritability, tension, and a general feeling of unhappiness.
As if this was not enough, women also have to deal with abdominal bloatingdefine, cramps, breast tenderness or swelling, stress or anxiety, insomnia, muscle pain, headache, fatigue, exacerbated skin disorders, acne, mood swings, food cravings and, of course, crying spells.
How to Take Control
Experts believe aerobic exercise may help women lessen PMS symptoms by reducing fatigue and depressiondefine. Try to exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. Besides the PMS, exercise would also help check weight gain.
Spend some quiet time with yourself, or do things you like doing.
Yoga and meditation, in some way, are excellent means of relaxation. Adequate sleep is a must, and so is talking to a close friend. Just realize that the overwhelmed feeling you have is only PMS, and nothing is really wrong. At least nothing that is out of your control.
Consuming a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains is beneficial in more ways than one. Besides making you feel energetic and fit, it will also help curb those awful PMS symptoms. Cut intake of fat, salt, and sugar, and avoid caffeine and alcohol.
PMS and Shopping
There is another seemingly bizarre effect PMS has on women. It makes them compulsive shoppers. While women have known this all along, scientists are only just coming to know about it. In a study conducted on 443 women between 18 and 50 years of age, researchers at Hertfordshire University found them to be more impulsive and less in control of their finances, as well as urges, 10 days before menstruation.
In that period, the women were most likely to buy things they did not need and then repent at the impulsive shopping towards the end of the cycle. This usually happens because women shop not merely to fulfill basic needs but also to drown their negative emotions. Shopping can follow depression, anxiety, and even boredom.
According to researcher Simonne Gnessen, this type of shopping is one of the biggest causes of female debt, if not the biggest. “Many women say shopping has become an emotional habit. Instead of spending because they need the goods, they spend for the thrill that buying gives them,” Gnessen explains.
In order to avoid this from happening, it is advisable for women to refrain from shopping in their sensitive phase.
Last edited by Rakhi on May 4, 2009 - 09:50 | Write to author: Divya Nambiar |
