Do you ever feel upset while you’re on your period? Or moody? Being on your period can be difficult, especially with everything that is happening within your mind: mood swings, increased irritability, and depression. However, that feeling is not an individual experience but rather moments that many women feel while on their cycle.
This decline in mental health happens because of “significant fluctuations in hormone levels, particularly estrogen and progesterone.” The body is constantly changing while it is on a cycle, so there will be times where your mental health is at a low.
“Being on my period makes me feel very run down physically and emotionally, and I feel much more lazy, which leads to me not doing anything and getting frustrated,” shares Ava Abello, 16.
With the added stress of being in school or working a job, dealing with relationships, and other tasks, this leads to stress and can affect your period even more. As you get worked up even more because of all you have to do, your cycle will bring uncomfortable feelings and make you feel worse.
This also highlights the reason as to why people need to be informed about the impacts of periods. According to UI Center, the risks of women hurting themselves while on their period is high, but it is often overlooked so nothing is done before something happens.
However, it’s alright to not feel your best. There are resources and ways to make sure that you feel at your best to meet your optimal success. To feel better, take a step back from everything, and breathe. Relax. You have time to do all that you want, but you need to focus on yourself and make sure that you don’t stress yourself, especially during a time where your body needs rest and its full potential.
Your mental health should be taken seriously all the time, but on your period, it’s different. Your emotions are heightened, so you feel your emotions more sensitively. You want to surround yourself with the people that you love and what makes you happy. Going out for a walk or exercising can also release endorphins, the “feel good” hormone that is let out when you exercise. This can boost your mood overall, and can help manage your emotions during your cycle easier.
Taking care of your mental health is one of the numerous elements that should be looked after while on your menstrual cycle. Remember, there are many people that are willing to help you, so don’t ever feel scared to reach out if you think you need it.
About the Author: Eri Fatimilehin
Hi everyone! My name is Eri, and I am a part of my school’s newspaper. I love writing service stories, and I hope that I can help educate at least one person with the stories that I write. I love to read, and I hope to become a pediatrician one day!