Tis the Season for Self-Care: Managing Your Cycle this Holiday Season
The festive season is here and that means more chocolate covered treats, cheese boards, a couple of glasses (or bottles!) of wine, and a few late nights in the office to wrap up last minute projects (see what we did there?).
When you’ve been working hard to keep up healthy habits, this time of year may bring on some extra stress, especially when it comes to keeping your hormones happy. The good news? You’re not alone! That’s why we’ve put together our top 3 tips to having a happy (hormonal) holiday!
Support your Hormones.
A lot of us get to the festive season and we treat it as a reward for all the hard work we’ve put in throughout the year, and rightfully so! However, with the boost of social events, delicious food and late nights, it can be easy to feel a higher level of stress, even when you are enjoying yourself. Cortisol (the stress hormone) also tends to be higher during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, which starts on the first day of your period. Mix the stress from being out of your usual routine with the stress of your period, it’s no wonder why sometimes during this season you might be feeling more self conscious and guilty about enjoying this time. But we are here to remind you that it doesn’t have to be like this!
Supporting your hormones with products like The Fix XAll in the lead up and during the festive season can actually help keep you in high spirits during this time of year, as well as reduce the impact that cortisol may be playing on your mood, freeing you from the potential guilt and anxiety you may feel.
Take time for yourself.
This time of year is stressful for many different reasons and adding our period to the mix changes the game completely. Our mood plays a big part in how we handle certain situations, how we interact with others and how we view ourselves, and the last thing you want during this social season is feeling stressed, anxious and tired. It’s important to schedule time for ourselves to rest to prevent burnout and a potential family argument. Afterall, it’s the season of giving, so give yourself some love and schedule some down time to recharge. Go on a nice walk, turn your phone on DND, and read a good book. Our XMood supplement is also a great addition to your routine to help calm your mind and aid in relieving you of some stress.
Stay hydrated.
It may be obvious, and you’re probably rolling your eyes reading this, but trust us! When it’s hot out and you’re being handed flutes of champagne, it’s very easy to forget to drink water.
Staying hydrated is especially important when you are drinking alcohol. Alcohol is a diuretic and causes you to need the bathroom at a much quicker rate, which in turn dehydrates you and dehydration during your period can actually lead to heavier periods and worse cramps. Drinking water delivers oxygen throughout the body to help fight fatigue, boosts skin health and combats acne, helps you digest food and reduce bloating, and actually relieves some discomfort you may feel from cramps, so it pretty much helps combat all the things that can stop you from having a good time during this time of year.
However, you don’t need to give up ALL alcohol to have an easier period, just make sure you are supporting your cycle with the right period focused supplements and keeping up with those glasses of water.
This holiday season don’t forget to look after yourself. During a time where everything can seem very go, go, go, listen to your body and allow yourself the time and space to recharge and rest. Merry menstruation.
