Relaxation and PMS

A said before stress can clearly exacerbate the symptoms of PMS. Therefore you need to find outlets to reduce your stress, whether it is exercise, better planning, alternative therapies or specific “me” time.

There are many alternative therapies that help you relax and could be worth trying. We have some suspicion about the direct healing capability of these techniques but definitely applaud any method that helps us de-stress.

It has been claimed that PMS symptoms can be greatly alleviated by relaxation and hypnotic suggestion. Some groups working on hypnosis suggest that women with severe PMS symptoms who received regular hypnotic relaxation training showed a 60% improvement in their physical and mental symptoms over women who didn't have the hypnosis!

The mechanism it appears is similar to that of exercise in that when you relax deeply your body produces more endorphins. Endorphins reduce pain and produce feelings of comfort. Low endorphin levels contribute to PMS symptoms. 

As suggested in our exercise page yoga and pilates can also help you to relax.

If you have not already heard of Yoga it is the name given to a traditional form of the physical and mental discipline originating in India with its roots in Hindu Philosophy. In the West most yoga classes consist of a combination of physical exercises, breathing exercises, and meditation.

Pilates, pronounced 'pi-la-tiz is a physical fitness system developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates in Germany. Million of people practice the discipline regularly throughout  Europe and the USA. Pilates called his method Contrology, because he believed his method uses the mind to control the muscles. The program focuses on the core postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and which are essential to providing support for the spine. In particular, Pilates exercises teach awareness of breath and alignment of the spine, and aim to strengthen the deep torso muscles.

Good luck, you can find a class in just about every local leisure centre and even in church and community halls.