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There are benefits and limitations to working out while you’re having your period.
It’s that time of the month, and you’re trying to figure out if you can even be bothered to get all sweaty at the gym. Heck, you’re not even sure it’s a good idea to be working out at all while having your period. The good news is that it’s okay to do some exercise during this time. The even better news is that it can actually help alleviate some of the discomfort that you may feel.
Yup, It Can Help You Feel Better
While the idea of physical activity may sound like a nightmare to you during this time, the fact is, light exercises may help reduce the discomfort from period pain, cramps, bloating and more. In fact, the endorphins you get from working out – the so-called feel-good hormones – can help with reducing pain and improving your mood.
Remember To Take It Easy
You probably won’t feel like having an intense session anyway, and actually, a light session might just be what you need to navigate how you feel when you’re having your period. Don’t feel bad if you need to modify your usual workouts – in fact, try to throw in walks, light cardio, strength training and more relaxing routines like yoga. Remember, the point is not to push too hard.
Settle For The Tried And Tested
Your period is probably not the time to see if you enjoy high-intensity workouts for the first time. The best option for you is going back to basics – what exercises do you know and which do you enjoy? For one, if you do something you like then you’re going to be more motivated to get going in the first place. But more importantly, you need to listen to your body so if it’s a workout you’re familiar with, you’ll know if you can manage it or not.
What Else Should You Know?
The thing many people don’t realise is that there may be some workouts that are better for you at different stages of your period because your energy levels are different. Use that knowledge to your advantage. This is especially true during the follicular stage of your cycle, when the pain and cramps may have gone away but your oestrogen levels are high and as such, you may have a spike in energy. Save the high-intensity sessions for this time! There are other stages too, and different workouts are suited for each (more here!).
Not Just This Time
Finally, if you want to reap the benefits of exercise to aid with what your body goes through when you’re having your period, the solution is to be consistent with your workouts. This means that you should be thinking about working out not just during that time of the month but all the time. There have been various studies conducted to show that regular exercise can help with pre-menstrual syndrome and reducing menstrual cramps.
