Menstruation Relief for Your Daughter
Gone are the ancient days when semi nomadic women menstruated together according to the cycles of the moon. During menstruation these women would actually take a break from their domestic work in order to rest and pamper themselves.
While most of us have been taught to keep up with our busy lives during menstruation, a little bit of pampering now and then can be a healthy habit as well as a wonderful opportunity to connect with your daughter. Teaching your daughter to take care of herself during her menstrual period will help to build a lifetime of good habits and self esteem.
Most advice for general well being such as eating sensibly, exercising and getting the right amount of sleep also applies during menstruation. Now is the time to encourage your daughter to establish a special routine during her period that can relieve discomfort and improve her overall attitude about menstruation.
- Stretching is a great way to keep muscles limber and relaxed. Sit on the floor with a straight back then bend your knees so that the souls of your feet touch, now gently pull your feet inward. Or, while standing with legs shoulder width apart, gently lunge from side to side. Both of these stretches will help to limber up the pelvic region. Add some deep breathing to increase the amount of oxygen reaching the muscles.
- Start a monthly ritual of sitting down for a shared pot of tea. Earl Grey with bergamot and Chamomile are known for their relaxing and mood lifting properties. Offer an empathetic ear if your daughter needs to gripe about her period.
- Give your daughter a specially scented body wash or lotion to use during her period. While regular bathing is sufficient to prevent the worry of any menstrual odors, having something special to use might give her something to look forward to.
- Reheatable rice bags, hot water bottles and heating pads can work wonders to ease muscle spasms. Apply a few drops of essential oil of lavender to the rice bag for added pain relieving benefits.
Encourage your daughter to share with you and her friends. One thing that hasn’t changed since ancient times is that girls and women still look to each other for support. And sometimes, when it comes to periods, talk is the best relief!