Dr. Chetan

How to exercise during your period

The question of whether or not a woman should work out or not when it is the time of the month is one that has been much talked about. Fluctuations in hormone levels that take place during the monthly cycle have a tremendous impact on the level of energy, stamina and the body's response to exercise. The likelihood of getting injured is also different during periods.

Exercising during your period has many positive impacts on the body. Each woman's ability to work out and her response to it are different and hence the workout routine you must adhere to can vary from person to person.

What are the benefits of working out during periods?

•   exercising during periods can be effective in alleviating the symptoms that accompany your period at the time such as stress and anxiety.
•   loss of body fluids through sweating while doing exercises significantly reduces bloating in the belly.
•   exercising can also ensure that there is less cramping and heavy flow during periods.
•   endorphins released during exercise functions as a natural painkiller for period pains.

What are the best ways of working out during periods?

Depending upon how your body responds to periods, suitable workout routines can vary from high-intensity training (hit) like running, cycling and heavy lifting to low intensity training (lit) like brisk walking and step aerobics.

Most women opt for light exercises during the first few days of the cycle and then gradually increase intensity, which is advisable for those who are not in the habit of regularly working out. Athletes and sportswomen who train all around the year take to high-intensity workouts that focus on core strengthening and cardio boost.

What exercises should be avoided during periods?

The only kind of workout that should be avoided during this time is yoga that involves any 'inverted pose' that requires a woman to perform partial or complete headstands. These poses negatively impact blood flow and can cause painful heavy bleeding.

Apart from that, when it comes to exercising during periods, the guideline is simple - if you can handle it, you should go ahead and do it.

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Related Tip: Why Do Some Girls Have Extremely Painful Periods?

The sciatic nerve is one of the largest nerves in the body. It goes from the lower back all the way down to the base of the leg. When there is a disorder associated with the sciatic nerve, it is known as Sciatica. 

Sciatica, however, does not necessarily need a surgery or a very elaborate procedure to fix the problem. Most commonly, it is treated simply by practicing a number of simple exercises. Here are some of the most common exercises prescribed to treat Sciatica:

1. Reclining Pigeon Pose: There are three main forms of the pigeon pose. These are sitting, reclining and then forwarding. It is recommended that if you have very recently started your treatment for Sciatica, then certainly you should go for the reclining pose. In this pose, you are supposed to hold your left leg in the air at a right angle to your back. Then, hold your ankle against the knee. Finally, repeat this stretch with the right leg as well.
2. Knee to Opposite Shoulder: In this stretch, the starting position is on your back side. You have to have your legs out and feet upwards. From this position, try to bring your right leg towards your left shoulder. Hold this for 30 seconds and then release and relax. Repeat this activity three times and repeat the whole procedure with your other leg. Only take your leg as far as it goes.
3. Sitting Spinal Stretch: At the start of this exercise, sit on the ground with your legs going straight outwards and your feet flexed in the upward direction. Pull your left knee and put it on the outside of your right knee. Finally, place your right elbow on the left knee, so that your body turns to the left. Hold for 30 seconds and then relax. Repeat the procedure with the other knee.
4. Standing Hamstring Stretch: Put your foot on an elevated surface such that it is above the floor, but not above hip level. Flex your toes forward such that your feet and legs are nearly in a straight line. Bend as far towards the foot as possible. However, do not stretch so far that you feel pain. Finally, repeat this procedure on the other side after release.

Related Tip: "Non-Surgical Treatment For Sciatica"

Health benefits of tulsi tea

1. Boosts immune system:

With amazing anti-biotic, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties, tulsi boosts the immune system of the individual and keeps infections at bay. Consuming tulsi tea regularly can thus help one stay healthy and fit even in the worst weather conditions!

2. Treats respiratory issues:

Whether you are suffering from mild cold, cough or severe asthma or bronchitis, consume tulsi tea to get instant relief. The immunomodulatory qualities of tulsi boost an individual’s immune system. Its antitussive qualities suppress cough and its expectorant traits help in the expulsion of phlegm. Camphene, cineole and eugenol essential oils in tulsi help in relieving the symptoms of chest congestion. Overall, tulsi tea is one solution for all the symptoms of cold, cough and other respiratory issues.

3. Supports heart:

Tulsi tea contains magnesium in good amounts. Magnesium is one mineral that has an active role in preventing heart diseases by ensuring the proper blood circulation in the vessels. Magnesium plays an effective role in preventing the cholesterol from depositing in the blood vessels and thus avoids any kind of atherosclerosis risks. This is one reason why those who consume tulsi tea regularly, tend to have lower blood cholesterol levels.

4. Cures fever:

In conditions where an individual has fevers (dengue, malaria etc), tulsi tea acts as a perfect anti-biotic that reduces the fevers and speeds up the recovery process. Being an antibiotic, tulsi tea acts on the microorganisms leading to fevers, thus eliminating the every root of it.

5. Stressbuster agent:

The levels of the stress hormone, or cortisol in our body are maintained by consuming tulsi tea regularly. At the same time, tulsi tea’s properties ensure a healthy blood flow that helps one stay healthy and fresh.

6. Oral and dental health:

Tulsi contains antimicrobial properties with which it fights the germs and bacteria that act inside our mouth and on our teeth. It can also prevent troubles like ulcers and pyorrhea if consumed regularly. At the same time, tulsi tea acts as a mouth freshener and prevents bad breath. However, one should avoid chewing tulsi leaves directly as that could harm the tooth enamel. Having tulsi tea instead is a healthier alternative in this regard!

7. Benefits skin and hair:

The anti-oxidant properties of tulsi tea make it an excellent tonic for maintaining the health and beauty of the skin. It contains polyphenols that help fight the signs of aging like wrinkles and black spots. Tulsi also contains properties that reduces itchiness on the scalp, hence controls hair fall.

8. Good for diabetics:

Those who are suffering from diabetes must consume tulsi tea on a regular basis as it helps in reducing the blood sugar levels. Tulsi has properties to boost the body metabolism and thus uses the excess sugars to transform them into energy. This therefore reduces the risk of high blood sugar levels.

9. Treats arthritis:

Tulsi tea has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties with which it can be an effective solution for treating the symptoms of joint-related issues like arthritis. Consuming tulsi tea in such conditions, helps reduce the pain and the inflammation in joints. It makes the patients feel better in a natural manner.

10. Cures headaches:

Headache is emerging as an ailment that is affecting the health of most people these days. The main reason of it is the busy schedules, odd timings of work, sleep deprivation, and eating disorders. However, consuming tulsi tea amid all this can help one get relief from fatigue and stress. Tulsi tea has an aroma that has been proven to cure migraines and eliminate other stress related issues.

11. Aids weight loss:

Tulsi tea acts on the metabolic rate of an individual, thus it leads to the burning of body fat. It is one of the most natural and effective methods of losing weight. Tulsi tea boosts the metabolic rate, thus causes weight loss in an easy manner.

12. Boosts digestion:

Tulsi tea is highly helpful in ensuring proper digestion, assimilation and absorption of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. Consuming tulsi tea regularly promotes easy digestion of food. This tea helps in maintaining healthy functioning of the liver, which is an important organ for the digestive process.

13. Supports renal health:

One of the greatest tulsi tea benefits is that it is a wonderful detoxifier and diuretic. It helps to ensure the healthy functioning of the kidneys. Tulsi tea helps in avoiding the kidneys from producing excessive uric acid. It also helps in the breakage of kidney stones. Even for the patients who have kidney stones already, tulsi can help in reducing the pain.

14. Reduces chances of cancer:

Since tulsi tea helps in the removal of toxic materials from the body, it prevents the formation of cancerous cells in it. It thus helps in reducing the chances of any kinds of cancer. Also the anti-carcinogenic properties of tulsi tea help in the treatment of breast and oral cancers.

15. Helps quit smoking:

With its stress busting qualities, tulsi tea helps those who would like to quit smoking. It has been found that stress is one of the prime reasons for smoking. Thus, tulsi tea helps in relieving this issue from the root itself.