Period Hacks

   Mother Nature comes knocking  (sometimes banging) at our door about 400 times in a lifetime. Yet no matter how many periods we've got under our belts, we still get affected.

It can be the simplest things that make the biggest difference when you're menstruating. And the best part is that you probably have access to the majority of these things in your home already. 

Invest in a hot water bottle

  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.

Drink More Water

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. Resist the urge to purchase the sugary energy drinks you see in the vending machines, as they will only make you feel worse. Staying hydrated will also aid with digestion, so you can process your meals better and faster.

Resist Caffeine

This may be hard for my coffee drinkers like myself  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. Try drink half a cup then switch to chai tea for the rest of the day.

Back Ups!!

Blood leaking on your undies is hard to avoid. But you will be prepared for when it happens. Keep spare panties in a desk drawer at work or in a pouch in your backpack.

Boil ginger in your hot water tea. 

Ginger looks disgusting (just my opinion) but works wonders for a lot of period-related things. You already know it helps with nausea (that's why ginger ale is the big go-to drink when you're sick), but it can also help reduce inflammation and pain that makes cramps feel worse. To make ginger tea, get some ginger root at the store, peel the skin off, cut it into little pieces, and boil those little pieces in the water you use to make hot tea. Mint or lemon tea is a good option for your ginger water — steer clear of anything with caffeine, like black or green tea.