Hi Ladis! Have you ever felt suddenly angry, sad, anxious, or irritable before your period? Even trivial things like spilled hot chocolate milk can trigger tearful drama! Well, if so, you might be experiencing mood swing during PMS.

What is Mood Swing?

Mood swing is a rapid and drastic change in mood. It can be characterized by feelings of happiness, sadness, anger, anxiety, or irritability that alternate in a short period of time. Have you ever been out with friends and suddenly wanted to cry? Or are you studying and get emotional about the same exercise questions? Well, that could be a symptom of mood swing during PMS, you know!

Causes of Mood Swing during PMS

Mood swing during PMS is caused by hormonal changes in the body, especially estrogen and progesterone. These hormonal fluctuations can affect neurotransmitters in the brain, which are chemicals that regulate mood. In simple terms, your hormones are busy going up and down like on a rollercoaster, resulting in an unstable mood.

In addition, other factors such as stress, lack of sleep, and an unhealthy diet can also worsen the mood swing during PMS. So, make sure you maintain a healthy lifestyle!

How to Overcome Mood Swing During PMS

Although mood swing during PMS is normal, it can interfere with daily activities. Here are some ways that you can do to overcome mood swing during PMS.

1. Exercise Regularly

Exercise can help increase the production of endorphins, known as happy hormones. These endorphins make you feel happy and energized. With exercise, your emotions become more stable and don't fluctuate easily.

You don't have to do strenuous exercise. Just walk around the neighborhood, swim, or do yoga for 30 minutes at least 3 times a week. Besides overcoming mood swings, exercise also keeps you healthy and fit!

2. Consume Healthy and Nutritious Food

Have you ever heard the saying “you are what you eat”? Yep, the food you consume really affects your mood! During PMS, increase your consumption of foods rich in fiber, B vitamins, and magnesium. Vitamin B complex plays an important role in the function of neurotransmitters in the brain, while magnesium helps relax muscles and reduce stress. You can get these nutrients from green vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds.

Instead, avoid processed foods, foods high in sugar, and caffeine. Processed foods usually contain a lot of preservatives and MSG which can aggravate mood swings. High-sugar foods can cause a spike in blood sugar followed by a drastic drop, making you weak and emotionally unstable. Meanwhile, caffeine is a stimulant that can increase anxiety. So, let's start reducing snacks and get used to eating healthy food!

3. Get Enough Rest

Sleep deprivation can worsen mood swings. You must have experienced it right, if you stay up all night the next day you become more sensitive and irritable. This is because lack of sleep disrupts the production of the hormones leptin and ghrelin, which regulate appetite and sleep cycles. In addition, lack of sleep also makes the body more tired and prone to stress, which in turn can trigger mood swings.

To combat this, make sure you get 7-8 hours of sleep every night. Create a cozy sleeping environment, turn off lights and gadgets at least an hour before bedtime, and make it a habit to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. With enough rest, you will feel more refreshed and be able to deal with PMS mood swings better.

4. Increase Water Consumption

Dehydration can cause fatigue and mood swings. Just imagine if you're thirsty and don't drink, you'll be out of concentration and in a bad mood. Well, the same goes when your body is dehydrated. So, make sure you drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. In addition to water, you can also consume fruits and vegetables that contain a lot of water, such as watermelon, melon, and cucumber.

5. Relaxation

Relaxation activities such as meditation, yoga, or listening to soothing music can help relieve stress and improve your mood. When mood swing strikes, you may feel overwhelmed and your mind becomes full. Through relaxation, you can practice breathing slowly and calming your mind. This will make you feel calmer and able to control your emotions better.

Apart from meditation and yoga, you can also do other relaxation activities such as taking a warm bath with your favorite essential oils, reading a light storybook, or coloring pictures. Find an activity that makes you feel comfortable and can relieve tension.

6. Take Vitamins

Taking vitamin B complex and magnesium supplements can help reduce mood swing symptoms during PMS. As explained earlier, vitamin B complex plays an important role in the function of neurotransmitters in the brain, while magnesium helps with muscle relaxation and stress reduction.

But keep in mind, vitamin consumption must be as recommended by your doctor. Don't just buy supplements without consulting first. In addition, vitamins should also be balanced with a healthy and nutritious diet.

7. Limit Caffeine Intake

Caffeine is a stimulant that can increase anxiety and mood swings. You must have experienced the jitters and anxiety after drinking too much coffee, right? Well, this effect can exacerbate mood swings during PMS.

Limit your consumption of coffee, tea, soft drinks and chocolate, especially before your period. Instead, you can consume herbal teas that have a relaxing effect, such as chamomile tea or lavender tea.

8. Limit Junk Food Consumption

Junk food is high in sugar and saturated fat. As discussed earlier, foods high in sugar can cause blood sugar fluctuations that lead to mood swings. Saturated fats can also increase inflammation in the body, which can worsen PMS symptoms, including mood swings.

Replace junk food with healthier and more nutritious foods. Increase your consumption of vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds. Also, don't forget to maintain your protein intake, which can make you feel fuller longer and reduce the urge to snack on junk food.

Mood swing during PMS is normal and can be overcome in various ways. Use the tips above to help you overcome your PMS mood swing and live your days happier.

To help you go through PMS more comfortably, Ladis Princess Series can be the perfect solution! Its 3D surface layer provides 10x faster absorption, so you feel drier and fresher throughout the day. In addition, Ladis Princess Series is lightweight and comfortable to wear, so you can move more freely.

Get Ladis Princess Series at your nearest store or online. Let's overcome the mood swing during PMS with Ladis Princess Series!