Yep, we’re living through difficult times. On the best of days, life right now feels anxiety-inducing. Then we come on our periods, we feel even more crappy, and our fave tampons are bloody well sold out.
Pandemic-era periods ain’t easy, that’s for sure. But while we might be in lockdown, our bodies don’t stop changing. So during menstruation, it’s important to take some time to invest in a self-care routine and just, well, be a little nicer to yourself.
From tracking your cycle to yoga to ease cramps, we’ve compiled the ultimate guide to periods during a pandemic, in partnership with Yoppie, a female-founded period care subscription service, that delivers straight to your letterbox… You’re welcome.
Learning your cycle
I had my hormonal coil removed last year. I hadn’t had a period for five whole years – no cramps, no blood, no drama. But packed away like a bad memory, I’d forgotten why I’d tried so hard to keep menstruation away for so long. Each month, it took me by surprise. It felt as uncertain as this weird world we currently live in. My period, like me, was an unpredictable bitch.
When I was young, I’d mark the days I was bleeding with a big X in my paper diary. In my 20s, I’d take my pill back to back to avoid the bother. I started using a period tracker last year, as I couldn’t block it out anymore. I felt ignorant about my body… I wanted to figure out whether my period really did sneak up on me, or if I was ignoring warning signs.
Tracking to gain control
Logging how I feel every day and what is going on with my body has helped me learn my own “normal” – because menstruation really is different for everyone.
Making notes allows me to know what feels right for me, and recognise when something has changed – not just cramps, but with my mood. Maybe I am hot, calm, energetic or angry… When I am ovulating and at my most fertile, I really do feel more sexual, or “frisky”, as my app likes to call it.
I love knowing how the way I feel on a certain day relates to the bigger picture of my health – because a period is part of a cycle that is much longer than five to seven days! It’s actually split into four parts (menstrual, follicular, ovulation and luteal phases) and you’ll notice you’ll feel different during each one. Yoppie has created a useful graphic which you can view here. I never wear my skinny jeans just before menstruation, for example, when my belly is round and sore. Although I haven’t worn those for weeks anyway, if I’m honest.
And when my period does arrive, that sneaky bitch doesn’t feel so sneaky now I’m tracking her every move. I can see her coming. It’s made me feel like I own my body. And when I don’t feel in control of the pain, I stop. I am nice to myself and I follow the guidance below… you can thank us later.
Not all tampons are created equal
Being in lockdown is messing with old routines, but that means we have an opportunity to start new ones. Not finding your usual pads or tampons on the shelves at the shop can be super stressful, so signing up to a subscription service, tailored to the cycle you’ve now managed to master, can help – your monthly supply comes directly through your letterbox.
There are health benefits to changing up your sanitary wares too. Conventional period products are often packed with synthetics and plastics, such as chlorine traces and phthalates, which I also found made my cramps much more painful. I love Yoppie, as its products are all made using organic cotton, which is kinder to your vagina. Plus. free shipping, FYI!
Did you know yoga can help ease cramps?
These postures, as recommended by yoga teacher, Liz Collinge, can be done on a mat on the floor, but also work just as well from the comfort of your bed.
- Cat Cow. “From an all fours position, inhale to look up and push the belly towards the mat. Exhale to round the back and look towards your navel. Flow like this with the breath for as long as feels good.”
- Reclining Bound Angle “Lying on your back, bend your knees and bring the soles of feet to touch, so your knees fall to each side. Hip openers are great for tapping into any emotional tension going on, as well as opening our hips.”
- Twists “Lying on your back with your legs bent and feet planted about as wide as the mat, let both knees fall to the right while you focus your gaze to the left and stretch out your arms either side of you. Repeat on both sides.”
- Legs Up The Wall “A favourite for calming the nervous system and easing tension in the lower back, simply shuffle your bum up to the wall and straighten out your legs to rest on the wall”
If you’d rather cuddle up with a hot water bottle, that can be considered your own very special yoga position too. Remember, just go easy yourself.
Here are some extra tips from team Restless:
“My period turns my emotions into what feels like an uncontrollable storm. One minute I’m crying, the next I’m angry. Over time I’ve learned that turning off all my screens, reading a good book, and going for a walk with my dog helps manage the turmoil. Worst case scenario, I snuggle under a weighted blanket. Plus, I always make sure to have the most comfortable tampons on hand, as I’m sure anyone reading this knows that not all period products are created equal,” says our founder and editor Olivia.
“I have the ultimate self-care ritual. A big bath filled with bubbles. Then I cuddle up in bed to watch a heartwarming film – or five – as I hold a hot water bottle on my belly. I mean, we’re dealing with a lot right now, it’s okay to just stop. Numb your brain with mindless TV, read a novel to escape, hide away for a nap in the middle of the day. It’s all okay,” says digital editor Alice.
“For me, my period is as unpredictable as British weather. Having the implant means bleeding at random, without too much warning, so I always carry a tampon. I also love having a ridiculously indulgent bath on my period. The more products in there, the better,” says our assistant editor Charlotte.
“I’ve noticed that my period is built in my likeness – she’s an indecisive prick. So occasionally she greets me with a fury of pain whereas some days it’s just a firm tap on the back. As a result I’ve realised that the best tip for dealing with the emotional and physical whiplash is by letting her have her way. If I feel bad, I simply stop doing what I was doing without guilt or feeling like I’m exaggerating. I’m not, but she definitely is,” says staff writer Tea.
“With endo and adenomyosis, my periods have always been a trial – so much so, I’m about to undergo a hysterectomy and say goodbye to that particular bitch once and for allIn the meantime, however, the key thing I’ve learned is to be kind to myself and not overdo it. If I have to take a strong painkiller and head off to bed with a hot water bottle for a whole day, I will. My pain isn’t a sign of weakness,” says our editor Jen.
“For me, it’s less about pain and more about expectations. Post having a baby, and having hypothyroidism, my periods are like an old friend I don’t know anymore. I now track every single symptom throughout the month to understand better when it is likely to arrive and how bad it will be. Tapping into different stages of my cycle has changed everything, so I can mentally prepare as well as physically prepare,” says our brand partnership manager Jess.
Now is the time to invest in small businesses with stronger values. Offering safer organic products delivered straight to your home, with free delivery, we love Yoppie’s ethos as much as we love the ease it offers. Because if you can’t opt for an easier life during your period, when can you?
Use the code “RESTLESSMAG” for 30% off your first subscription order
