A Positive Way to Handle Hormones

In the week leading up to my period I can feel particularly hormonal, the smallest of things can seem like a really big deal. My husband is usually the first to notice when I might snap at him {mostly about helping me clean the house}.

Having a ‘hormonally haywire’ day can make it hard to stay calm or think positively. Over time, I’ve found a few things to help ‘think’ my way back to a calmer and happier me, from any hormonally charged day!

My tips for a more positive you

Here are my top tips for thinking outside the box, for getting myself back to a positive place and erasing as much negativity and frustration as I can from the presenting situation.

They’ve each worked for me, and I hope that one, or maybe even a combination of them will help you a little too.

1. Create a conscious distraction

Emotions can run high so easily, and it can be hard to accept that sometimes the things going wrong are out of your control.

Take control of the anger and frustration by distracting yourself from it. By taking a step back from the situation and thinking of a more positive time when things were going right, will help you to handle the challenging situations much better.

In tough times it is important to have a positive focus, something to help you move forward when you are ready, so thinking about these things and making positive lists will help distract you from the present emotion.

2. Find those reasons to be cheerful

Even if my day feels like it has gone badly, I make an effort to pick three things that have been part of my day that I am thankful for. Sometimes it is the littlest thing that has made me smile, or made me feel grateful.

It might be a struggle at first, but once you get into the routine of thinking this way after a bad day, you will feel a sense of positivity that will grow and make the negatives so much easier to handle.

3. Warm water

Research shows that a lovely soak in the bath can make you feel happier, as can a nice hot drink – for me a warm and sweet drink is like a virtual hug!

Not only will a soak de-stress you, but sipping and enjoying a hot drink will comfort you and give you some time out from your routine and any unhelpful ruminations. It’s an easy way to be kind to yourself and sometimes we need a reminder.

4. Remember a good time

While it’s not great to dwell on the past too much, there may be an occasion when perhaps things get a bit tough, where thinking back on a good time will help put things into perspective.

Make a connection to fun-filled moments where you felt at ease with yourself and happiness flowed.

By revisiting a good experience, even a piece of music or film that evokes joyfulness, it reminds us that good things do happen to us, and these positive things are going to keep happening again and again.

5. Get your groove on

I created a mood-enhancing playlist for when I am having a tough day. All my favourite, upbeat tracks in one place, ready to play whenever I need a little boost. Better still I have a little move and shake while I’m doing my housework chores!

While it might not be a solution to whatever’s going on in real time, it’s important to use music to lift your mood. Happy and uplifting music helps you gain perspective that good times are always waiting in the wings.

6. Make someone else’s day

By shifting your focus to something positive, kind and thoughtful, to make someone else’s day with a little treat, will not only bring them a little sunshine, but you too. It needn’t cost the earth, just a little text message, to show that you were thinking of them. Or, how about posting a bar of chocolate through a friend’s letter box with a kind and thoughtful message? It’s the little things that can mean so much.

7. And finally…believe in yourself

Accept the hormonal moments, know that they will pass and until they do, I hope these tips help you too.

It’s amazing how a positive attitude on a hormonal day will enhance your self-esteem, and you will find that you can cope a lot better than you ever believed!