Exercises That Help With Period Cramps

Periods are never nice, and they can bring on symptoms that leaving us feeling low and fatigued. Most of us aren’t the biggest fan of exercising during that time of the month, but staying active on your period provides numerous benefits including reducing cramps, improving mood and boosting energy levels.

Physical activity increases blood flow to the pelvic area, helping to alleviate cramps and discomfort. The endorphins released during exercise can act like a natural painkiller and help boost your mood! This can also help to reduce feelings of anxiousness some of us get on our period. So, help your body out by moving.

If you’re on a weight loss journey, you need to be exercising regularly, so don’t let your period boss you around! 

Emphasis on light! If you suffer from bad cramps then you’re not going to have much fun going for a run, but gentle cardio exercises like walking can help increase blood flow and reduce muscle tension, which can ease period cramps. If you feel like that’d be too taxing on your body, then you could try seated exercise or exercised in bed!

Stretching can help alleviate period pains by relieving tension in the muscles surrounding your tummy and lower back. Gentle stretching exercises promote relaxation and increase blood flow to the pelvic area. Having improved circulation in this area can help relieve some of the cramping and discomfort. 

Deep breathing exercises can help to alleviate some of the pain we experience in our tummy. When we’re on our period, we often feel tension around the abdomen. Deep breathing exercises like belly breathing activate our body’s relaxation response, triggering the release of endorphins! The relaxation response will help ease muscle tension in general, so it’ll help with cramps.

Tai Chi incorporates slow, flowing movements with deep breathing and mindfulness. It’s beneficial for period pains as it promotes relaxation, reduces muscle tension and improves circulation. Performing these movements targeted toward your abdomen and lower back can help to alleviate some of the pain. 

It might be the last thing you want to do, but keeping up with exercise while you’re on your period could help ease the pain!