DIY tips: 8 natural remedies to relieve period pain, stress

Girls are superheroes. But for those of us who aren't lucky enough to easily glide through our periods, it becomes very important to look at ways to cope with it and reduce that soul-crushing period pain.

Girls are superheroes.

But for those of us who aren't lucky enough to easily glide through our periods, it becomes very important to look at ways to cope with it and reduce that soul-crushing period pain.

Because it's something we do every month - endure period pain - it somehow makes sense that we all have a few do-it-yourself tips and tricks up our sleeve to get through those days. So, we're taking you on a 'natural' journey that would work wonders for you and end up beating the prostaglandins coursing through your veins.

1Drink tea (that contains low levels of caffeine)
Dr Rima Chatterjee of Pearl Clinic, Kolkata, advises "drinking at least one cup of tea."

"The heat from the tea serves up some much needed comfort to your distressed muscles,"adds Chatterjee.

Chamomile teas, ginger tea, peppermint tea, lavender tea, green tea, lemongrass tea, cardamom tea, are some of the herbal teas. Herbal teas can provide you with some much-needed freshness relieve you from the fatigue and also help decrease the amount of pain you experience. (Our personal favorite would be ginger tea.)

2Have lots of water, please
Try to drink 6-8 glasses of water each day. In addition to making you feel better, this will also improve your overall health, especially during that time of the month.

Dr Hitesh Sharma of Health Centre, Mumbai, says that, "Drinking adequate water is relevant for your body and during your periods your body needs a lot more water. So maintain a stable intake of water."

3 Make ginger your BFF
Ginger is a wonder herb that can effectively ease menstrual cramps. This herb plays a key role in lowering the levels of the pain-causing prostaglandins. It also helps fight fatigue associated with premenstrual syndrome and can make irregular periods regular.

Dr Chatterjee suggests this recipe for relief: Grate a small piece of ginger and boil it in a cup of water for five minutes. Strain it and add a little honey and lemon juice.

"Drink this tea three times a day during your menstrual cycle. You will feel much better," she adds.

4Apply heat
A hot water bag is one of the easiest and the most relaxing remedies that you can put to use. Its heat helps you relax the contracting muscles in your uterus, which is the cause for your pain. Similarly you can use heat pads that are available online.

5 Avoid coffee
Period pain can also be alleviated through simple diet changes. Reduce your coffee consumption since coffee is a well-known vasoconstrictor - it makes blood vessels constrict. In fact, it may cause the vessels that feed the uterus to tighten more than they do in non-coffee drinkers. If you're a die-hard coffee drinker and can't cut it out entirely, try avoiding it just in the week before your period and see if you notice a change.

6 Avoid fatty food, have bananas
According to Dr Sharma, fatty foods with high level of salt can impact how bloated you feel and the level of pain that you experience during your periods.

"You should eat fruits like bananas, they are a rich source of potassium and would help ease your bowel movements," he adds.

Add a lot of iron to your diet like lentils, spinach and legumes to your diet, he adds.

7 Have an orgasm
This is of the more unconventional options to relieve period pain. But it is definitely effective, since it can help relieve all kinds of pains, including menstrual cramps.

"Before an orgasm, the uterus is more relaxed, and at the moment of climax, blood flow increases, helping to relieve the cramps," Dr Chatterjee says.

According to a study conducted by sexologist Beverly Whipple, professor at Rutgers University, orgasms relieve the pain through the release of endorphins, which help you feel better, instantly. They also help relax your whole body and induce sleep so you won't feel any cramping at all.

Try it and you won't be disappointed. Pinky swear.

Try these simple cinnamon-infused recipes

Cinnamon has antispasmodic, anticlotting and anti-inflammatory properties that can relieve menstrual pain. Plus, cinnamon is an excellent source of dietary fiber, calcium, iron and manganese.

Make cinnamon tea by stirring one-fourth teaspoon of cinnamon powder into a cup of hot water. Let it sit for up to five minutes, add a little honey and then sip it slowly.

Drink two to three cups of cinnamon tea one to two days before your period starts to prevent cramps. Or, add one-half teaspoon of cinnamon powder and one tablespoon of honey to a glass of warm water.

Drink it three times during the first day of your period to relieve pain.

May the force be with you!