While monthly periods are a normal part of a woman’s life, they’re still inconvenient at best and painful at worst. This is why proper self-care during periods is essential. However, many people forget that period self-care goes beyond keeping up with proper hygiene. Ensuring that you feel good during your period, physically and emotionally, goes a long way. Having a period self-care kit that addresses both aspects is key. Here’s everything you need to build your own.
Period Essentials
The most important part of your self-care kit will naturally be your period hygiene products. Period pads are effective, reliable, and the standard product you’d see here in the Philippines. However, you don’t have to default to them if you’re not comfortable with them. Period hygiene products have developed so much over the years that you have plenty to choose from. You can choose between pads, menstrual cups, tampons, or even period underwear. You can also add pantyliners for days when you have a lighter flow.
You’ll also need a travel-sized soap or hand sanitizer. This is necessary for when you’re out and about, as not all public bathrooms have soap available. In the same vein, disposable wipes are great for cleaning your hands, toilet seats, or bathroom countertops.
A plastic bag can hold soiled underwear or used period products, just in case you’re in an area where you’re unable to dispose of them.
Finally, if you suffer from period cramps, you’ll need to pack your painkiller of choice. Ensure that you constantly have enough for each cycle, as there’s nothing worse than running out of painkillers at the worst time. You can also include a portable heating pad if you need the extra help.
Period Self-Care
To start with, periods are the best time to treat yourself to your favorite snacks. Chocolate is widely believed to help with period cramps, but it’ll also give you some much-needed happy hormones. Of course, you’re free to replace this with any other snack of your choice.
You can also include a notebook or a pocket calendar to help you keep better track of your cycle. Tracking your periods are an essential part of reproductive health, as you can bring up anything abnormal to your gynecologist. However, you can also do so using a period tracking app on your phone, so this is up to personal preference.
If you’re in the mood to curl up with a warm drink, consider adding herbal teas to your self-care kit. Warm drinks can also help you with cramps, especially chamomile, peppermint, ginger, and green tea. They’re also a great temporary replacement for coffee, as caffeine can actually make cramps worse.
Finally, feel free to add any other self-care activity into your kit! Indulge yourself with bath salts, bath bombs, facials, comfy pajamas, or aromatherapy. You can also book an appointment with a home service massage spa, such as Massagedaily.ph, as massages are another great way to deal with cramps. Be sure to inform your massage therapist of your condition so that they are aware of it. Shiatsu massage and foot massages are great techniques for anyone suffering from cramps. However, keep in mind that while massages can reduce cramps, it may also cause a stronger period flow due to how massage improves blood circulation.