Avoiding exercise during your red days can be a usual default for most women. However, sticking to your exercise regimen can actually do wonders and give you benefits that’ll help alleviate pain and complaints associated with menstruation.
Moreover, exercising when you’re on your period can help improve your mood, boost your energy levels, and make you feel better. Sweating it out and moving your body can prompt the release of endorphin. Brandon Marcello, Ph.D., claimed that endorphins can ease the uncomfortable experience during one’s period as this hormone serves as a natural painkiller.
Ways To Approach Physical Activity
During Your Red Days
Considering this, why not use this as an opportunity to keep up with your fitness routine and boost your energy levels? To show you, here are ways to exercise safely when you’re on your period.
1. Take It Easy
When it comes to physical activity, something is always better than nothing. During your delicate days, try to move your body but remember not to push it to its boundaries. The first few days of your menstruation may be the most uncomfortable, particularly if you tend to have a heavier flow during this time.
Overworking yourself will add stress to your body and will do you no good. Hence, adjust and reduce the intensity and volume of your exercise routine. Reserve your light workout, gentle movements, and stretches during this time.
For instance, you can opt to walk around your neighborhood, perform low-intensity cardio exercises, yoga, and even Pilates. Aside from that, these activities can surely sweat you out, doing light stretches and less intense movements can ease up cramping, and minimize muscle soreness linked with menstruation.
Moreover, you can vary your workouts to make them less boring and sustainable for you. You can run in your neighborhood today and engage in yoga tomorrow. There are also online exercise programs and more tips here that can guide you on how to exercise effectively during your red days.
2. Choose The Right Period Product
The plethora of period products exists to accommodate various customer preferences and address different needs. For instance, if you’re going to swim during your second period day, reusable period cups will help you stay confident and comfortable as you do one lap to the other. With this, you don’t need to cancel your swimming practice and stay at home. However, if you feel uncomfortable using a cup, you can explore and resort to other available period products like period swimwear.
Furthermore, if you’re training for a marathon, you can choose from menstrual pads to period underwear and even period cups. Take into account whether or not your current menstrual flow is strong or light. Be prepared and bring extra period products if you’re experiencing a heavy flow.
Experiment and choose one that helps boost your confidence, keeps you secure, and encourages you to move. By tackling each product, you’ll have an idea of what works best for you and the product that’ll support you during your exercise routine.
Additionally, if you’re exercising in the gym, wear protective and dark gym clothing. If you’ve noticed a few blood stains in your underwear or workout gear, you can simply tie your outerwear around your waist to hide these from the public.
Better yet, pack extra clothes and period underwear to change into after your exercise session. This would come in handy, especially if you’re going out with friends after.
3. Listen To Your Body
You’ll encounter various emotions and problems every menstruation. At times, you may have a light flow and are feeling great to perform your regular physical activities. However, there might also be inevitable times when you don’t have the energy to even start one workout.
If you’re comfortable continuing with your regular workout regimen and exercise during your period, feel free to do so. However, make sure to heed attention to your body to avoid over-exercising yourself. If your body starts to feel sore after a few days of exercising, adjust accordingly. As mentioned, opt to engage in stretches and light exercises to scale back the intensity of your regimen.
Moreover, take note that exercise can potentially speed up your current menstrual flow as it pushes blood to come out from your uterus, resulting in a heavier flow. Your body might also be manifesting signs of fatigue that you’re not able to detect immediately. If this is the case, allow yourself to recover, relax, and don’t force it to move and stretch out from its limits.
Don’t get pressured by all the women who are still exercising despite having their period. Always listen to your body to avoid excessive fatigue and other potential problems.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to avoid exercise during your period and write off any physical activity altogether while you’re on your period. There are ways to keep up with your exercise regimen without risking your safety and comfort. By following the ways above, you can relish the benefits of exercise while staying safe from overworking your body.
