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Managing moodiness: How to lighten the darker side of PMS
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Five simple steps to ease mood swings and irritability that can come with your period.
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By Julie Clow
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You may have heard about the best ways to survive the cramps and backaches that come with your period every month: eat right, get lots of rest and get active. But how can you combat the sadness and erratic moods that accompany the physical symptoms?
To ensure emotional stability during your period, Dr. Lucille Peszat, executive director of the Canadian Centre for Stress and Well-Being in Toronto, Ont., advocates two key strategies:
1. Pay attention to your body
2. Follow your physician's advice.
"We know PMS happens and it goes right into and past menopause because of hormonal ups and downs," Peszat says. "The key is to understand that it is normal, even if it is not nice."
The following are Peszat's hints for keeping your emotions in line when your hormones threaten to get the better of you.
1. Don't fall into the despair trap
Understand that the reason you are feeling sad or frustrated is hormonal and that it will be over soon. Be aware that the way people react to you may increase your stress level.
2. Get enough rest
"It's really vital," Peszat says. "North Americans are sleep-deprived and when you are upset, you are not going to sleep as well." And of course, lack of sleep can lead to irritability and crankiness.
3. Manage your optimism
Feelings of helplessness can worsen the sadness associated with PMS. "One of the first things we teach anyone looking at their stress level is take control of your life," she says. "That has to be a conscious act, because you have to deal with this [PMS] for the rest of your life."
4. Fall back on stress management
"Usually people don't think of it [using calming methods] before they are stressed," Peszat says. It's best to relax before tension levels build.
5. Adjust your attitude
Have a good attitude about your period. Peszat says people often look at menstruating as a negative thing. Once that attitude disappears, she explains, so will much of the monthly stress.
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