4 Ways to Practice Self-Care When You’re on Your Periods
4 Ways to Practice Self-Care When You’re on Your Periods [Updated – Jan 2025]
Self-Care is such a huge part of life.
It’s important for keeping ourselves well balanced from Mental well being to our physical health.
But, it’s just as important to look after ourselves, if not more so, when we are on our periods.
That’s why today’s post in the Periods 101 series is focusing on 4 ways to practice Self-Care when you’re on your periods.
The aim is to give you some ideas on how you can look after yourself during this time.
So, without further ado, let’s get into it.
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4 Ways to Practice Self-Care When You’re on Your Periods
Have a movie night in bed
Having a movie night is such a simple yet effective way to practice some self-care when you’re on your periods.
If you’re anything like myself, you may find getting up and about a little sore and actually makes your cramps worse.
So, having some dedicated time to just laze in the bed or on the couch with good movies and snacks is golden.
If you are looking for some recommendations on movies or series to watch, I have some for you! Check out my post Mega List of Girly Movies or 5 series to watch on Netflix if you’re a fan of Crime & Mystery.
Make sure you have your hot water bottle at the ready, snacks on hand and tissues just in case those PMS symptoms kick in.
Giving yourself a nice night on your own, watching TV and allowing yourself to rest can make a huge difference.
Take a huge bubble bath
Personally I love going for a nice big bubble bath.
It helps to sooth the cramps a little and allows my body to just relax for a while in my own slice of serenity.
The hot water is great for soothing cramps and if you add in certain bath products like CBD bath salts, bath bombs, bubble bath etc… then you can also help sooth the rest of your body as well.
Light some candles, pour in the bubbles or product of choice, switch off the lights and lower yourself into the water, ready to have some quiet time.
I find it extra relaxing having a playlist on, in particular My Self-Care Playlist. It’s perfect for those songs that add a great ambiance to the experience.
Stay hydrated and eat well
It may not seem like it, but eating well and drinking enough water is a huge daily form of self-care.
I know we should be doing this all the time, but on your periods it’s imperative to keep your body hydrated and nourished.
Drink your 2000ml of water a day, not only will it keep you hydrated, it will help with bloating and retaining water
Making sure you load up on nutrient-rich foods is essential!
When we are on our periods it’s extra important to get enough zinc and iron into our bodies because as we bleed, we are losing some of that.
We also have to keep our blood sugar stable so try eating low-glycemic-index fruit and veg.
Try eating foods like:
- Kale
- Spinach
- Chicken
- Fish
- Dark Chocolate
- Nuts
- Yoghurt
- Wholegrain’s
Get enough sleep
When you are on your periods you may find that you feel a little more tired and lethargic.
So, it’s a good idea to try to get a few extra hours of sleep if possible to make sure you are well rested.
When we don’t get a good sleep it can impact our brain function and with high functioning hormones, it isn’t a good mix.
Although sleep is important, especially on our periods, it may feel like it’s impossible to!
So, here are some tips on getting a better sleep on your periods –
- Keep the room cool
- Find a position that feels comfy to you
- Use a pillow between your legs (I love doing this)
- Reduce your screen time an hour before bed
- Get a hot water bottle or use a heat pack
- Do some meditating before bed
Final Thoughts on Ways to Practice Self-Care When You’re on Your Periods
And there you have it, 4 Ways to Practice Self-Care When You’re on Your Periods.
Getting our periods can feel awful and PMS can be a b***h!
So, making sure you take good care of yourself and listening to what your body needs is so important.
Do what feels right for you and don’t push yourself too hard. PMS can be absolutely awful and cause havoc on our bodies and mind.
That’s why you should have dedicated self-care time for when mother nature comes a-knocking.
Tell me, what’s your favourite self-care activity when you get your periods?
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Love the ideas! I am basically knocked out on my period for however long it is 😑 Eating iron-rich foods help me, as well as taking an iron tablet x
Iron tables are such a help, I take them as well.
Such nice ideas! Having a movie night is my favorite thing to do when I’m on my period. I like to just snuggle in bed with a hot beverage and turn on my favorite movie or Tv show.
Antonia
Movie nights are the best aren’t they? Always love curling up with a good movie and a hot water bottle
These are some wonderful things to do during that time of the month! You’re so right about having a movie night in bed. It hits different and such a comforting feeling for me when I’m on my periods. I also enjoy having tons of dark chocolate haha. Thanks for sharing! x
Agreed, it really does hit differently! So nice to cuddle up under the covers all cosy with a movie
Movie night! Yes definitely doing that one while wearing comfy PJs under a blanket too 🙂
Yes!! Always bliss when you’re not in the mood for doing much
Love reading this series Jordanne! I usually love to spend the afternoon or night with a good book and my hot water bottle, with plenty of pillows because there’s never enough! Really need to be more careful with adding some foods that can also help with PMS! x
Thank you so much 😊 I’m really enjoying doing it. That sounds perfect, and agreed, can never have enough pillows!
I swear by eating spinach when I’m on my period! I always find that when I’m tired on my period, I get grumpy and end up getting bad sleeping patterns, this is great advice!
I love smoothies with baby spinach in them, so delicious!
I generally take breaks during the work day and Judy let myself rest, or I walk around to get in a little exercise which helps with my cramps. A movie night sounds great but I’m not a movie fan so I’d sub it with a book or a Kdrama episode 😊
Just letting ourselves rest is so important! Finding any way to just relax for a while is very needed whilst on periods
I am always so drained, so I love to have movie night too or just chill out to watch some TV shows and eat popcorn! I try not to push myself to do things and just take time to relax.
Chilled nights are always the best when on periods, love getting cosy and watching something good.
This is great! I have a pretty rough time on my period so anything that can make it more bearable is worth trying. Thanks for these useful tips!
Watching movies in bed with a hot water bottle sounds perfect for me! I definitely have to check out your Mega List of Girly Movies. Thanks so much for sharing!
Same, my idea of a great night haha
I love watching a movie and a nice hot shower with my favourite body product when I am on my period. Thank you for sharing these amazing self care tips
I love all of your recommendations. I am not the best person to be around when I have mine. Our period should be a time to pamper ourselves, relax and be comfortable. Thank you for this post.
I get bad cramps depending on what sign the moon is in, so I love this wholesome list of ways to give myself a little extra love and rest when I need it most! I usually drink a herbal tea and read, but most of the time taking a nap is a huge help! A hot water bottle is also a soothing must.
Thanks for sharing!
These are great suggestions. I always suffer from insomnia leading up to a period so getting enough sleep is really important to me.
Hi! This is an incredible series first of all. I love this post as it’s so specific for periods. I really struggle with cramps and I’ve never really looked into food that is good for periods, thank you so much for sharing such an honest and helpful piece! Alicia
Ooo, I will have to try some of those foods more when I am on my period, that is interesting. A bed day is always the way for me certainly on the first day or two of my period as the cramps are super sore. Thank you for sharing these ideas.
Lauren -bournemouthgirl.com
It really is isn’t it? Amazing what foods can do. Same! My cramps get so bad that I pass out, it’s horrible!
Love your ideas. When it’s my time of the month, I take as much time to ease off as possibe. My body will literally stop me in my tracks if I don’t. I take alll the early nights, hot water bottle breaks and I let myself have more chocolate than normal!
Rosie
Thank you 😊 That’s a good idea, I like to take time for me and just chill as the pain gets so bad. More chocolate is always a must, and hot water bottles
I love this post! Self-care is even more important when you’re on your period. I think it’s so important to eat well and look after yourself even more x
Thank you so much 💖 I agree, it’s a time we really need to take care of ourselves
Such great self care ideas! When I’m on my period I tend to feel like I’m suffering, but drinking water and eating iron rich foods help me a lot.
Thank you so much
These came at such an appropriate time! My form of self care is usually consuming an inhuman amount of tea haha. I’ll have to make a mental note to eat more of those foods, I always feel super drained and low energy on my period x
mia
Haha I feel that! Can’t beat a good cuppa. Same, low energy is very annoying, especially during periods!
I’ve actually never taken a bath while on my period – for some reason I always assumed it would be uncomfortable or messy, but I love taking epsom salt baths so I may need to try that next time! As for drinking enough water – that’s so incredibly important to help with bloating.
xx
Dating Bitch
I used to never take baths for the exact same reason! But, your period blood doesn’t actually come out in the bath unless there is a lot and you sneeze or cough, I found that so fascinating to learn and will be talking about it more in another post
What a fab post, with fab ideas! I don’t have a TV in my bedroom, but a movie night cuddled up on the sofa sounds amazing too. I find getting enough sleep helps with everything xx
Hannah
Thank you 😊 Yes, movie nights curled up are the best, just grabbing a blanket and snacks to chill out always feels more snuggly when on periods lol
I used to find a bath with lavender soap and oil to be very soothing! Great ideas here, especially the hot water bottle!
Yes, love anything lavender in the bath! Thank you
Great tips! I’m loving this series so far, and I love having movie nights and eating well when on my period. Thanks for sharing x
Thank you so much 💖 I’m really enjoying doing it xx
Great tips, eating well definitely going helps as the body keeps fighting the pain from periods. It consumes tons of energy. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you 😊
These are great ideas! I LOVED taking bubble baths when I was on my period, but sadly I don’t have a bathtub anymore & they’re not the norm here in Denmark.
I do love cozying up & watching Netflix though
Thank you 😊 aww no, I remember when we didn’t have a bath and I hated that! But there are so many great shower products now though that are great like shower bombs and oils.
My husband always makes my favourite foods at that time of the month, with lots of cuddles and back rubs!
Aww that is so sweet! He sounds like a good man
These are such great tips thank you! I honestly can’t remember when was the last time I had a soak in a bubble bath! Must take time out and have one x
Thank you 💖 you really should, so soothing and the hot water helps loads
Taking an iron supplement helps me a lot, and it’s a big yes to a pillow between the legs as well – when you have your period everything swells up and puts pressure on your lower back so anything that reduces that strain is a win in my book! x
Same! I take them as well to help, don’t know if it does but I assume so lol. Omg I’m so glad I’m not alone with the pillow, it helps a lot!
Great ideas here!! movie night on bed sounds perfect. staying hydrated and eating well is so important. Thanks for sharing! xx
Thank you 😊 movie nights are so perfect!
EAting healthy foods –instead of indulging in salty chips and snacks– is great advice! Thanks.
Oh definitely, amazing the difference it can make.
These are some great tips! A movie night in bed with some rest sounds incredible if you ask me x
Thank you 😊 love a movie night, always the best go to
A movie in bed sounds dreamy! A period is a great time to relax and chill out.
Corinne x
Doesn’t it? Love a good movie night
Ah this is brilliant! Movie night is perfect, I love watching films for self-care nights. Staying hydrated and eating well is so important, I totally agree. Thanks for sharing Xo
Elle
Thank you 😊 movie nights are amazing for self care aren’t they
These are great tips Jordanne! I love practicing self care but I love practicing it more on my period. A movie night, bubble bath, sleeping well and staying hydrated and having good food are all great ways to practice self care during your period. Taking an iron supplement is a fab one as well. Great post.
Thank you so much 💖 it’s so important but during our periods it feels like its needed even more
Such a lovely post! Movie night would be perfect! I love to watch old movies when having my period. It helps me to calm down 🙂
Thank you 😊 I love movie nights for chilling, especially with a hot water bottle
being on my period is probably one of the worst weeks of my life every month and I’m always looking for new tips to try out so thank you for sharing!!
jessica
I feel that! Always good to take care of ourselves any time of the month but feels even more needed when our periods hit
I get very bad PMS symptoms and I just struggle with period pains. I have found that having a movie day helps so much. It helps to think about something else then my period. Great tips.
Thank you 💖 I can definitely relate, just having that down time can help so much
I am all about taking a huge bubble bath! Those are always my favorite!
Same! Love a nice big bubble bath
Great post! I like having movie nights when I’m on my period and dark chocolate has become one of my go-to snacks when I’m on my period! Thank you for sharing this and looking forward to the rest of the series!
Thank you 😊 dark chocolate never used to be my cup of tea but now I love it so try to go for that when I’m on my periods
Great post darling, thanks for sharing! It’s so important to practice self care and these are some great tips! Thanks xoxo
Thank you so much 💖
I’m going to try out your food suggestions next month. The last couple of months have not been …. 🤔 … pleasant 🤣. Thanks for sharing. 😃
Definitely do! It’s amazing what can actually help!
Great post! Thank you. I have a ParaGard IUD so my periods are very bad. I never eat well, I just want to eat junk, but when I eat healthy, it makes a difference.
Great tips! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you 🥰