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Be Prepared
The DivaCup: The last thing you need to be doing when you’re trying to study is worrying about leaks or having to take lots of bathroom breaks to change your tampon. With the DivaCup, you can focus on the task at hand because it is comfortable and you are able to wear it for 12 hours at a time.
Hot water bottle: Having a hot water bottle handy will help you to use cramps while you study.
Pain relief: Drink some red raspberry leaf tea for some symptom relief or pop a pain reliever if your cramps start getting out of hand. You can also find teas on the market specifically made to help you manage your cramps and PMS symptoms, like Be Prepared Period’s Cramp Tea.
Stay Focused
Plan it out: Know what exams are when and which ones you should study for early on. Schedule out a specific time on a specific day to study specific information. A great idea is to break it down into chapters or lessons.
Listen to music: If you are anything like me I can’t focus in the eerily quiet. Luckily for us, there are tons of playlists to choose from that offer anything from background noise to instrumental music.
Find your study niche: Do you study better in a group in the library or alone at home? Find out what helps you to focus and understand and stick with it.
Listen to Your Body
Take a break: If you are feelings exhausted or on the brink of a mental breakdown, take a step away from your studies and do something else. Whether that something is talking to your roommates or going for a walk, you want to find a way to calm your mind and avoid over stressing.
Sleep well: It may be tempting to pull an all-nighter but avoid the urge. Without getting the proper amount of sleep your body is going to have a hard time recouping from the past day, especially when it is currently menstruating. So hit the hay early, get a restful night’s sleep and you’ll be able to better deal with tomorrow’s studying or exam.
Talk with friends: You don’t have to suffer alone. If you’re feeling down in the dumps or starting to panic that you will never understand anything, school is a waste and you should become a cat lady. Sloooow down. Go talk with your friends or call your Mom and just chat it out. Sometimes you just need a new perspective to calm you down and keep you from giving up academics forever.
Nourish Yourself
Hydrate: Obviously, water is an easy way to hydrate and is essential in keeping your body and brain functioning optimally. If you get bored of water easily, feel free to toss in some lemon, cucumber and mint for a refreshing change! You can try any mix of fruits and totally customize your water to your taste, so no more excuses!
Drink tea: Also, certain teas may benefit you during your period by offering cramp relief, but tea in general is a great way to relax your body and mind while studying. Put down the energy drinks and the coffee and try some teas instead. I have been loving red raspberry leaf tea which can help with period irregularity and PMS symptoms, or you can try this delicious mix created by Be Prepared Period specifically for cramp relief!
Eat healthy: I know how tempting it can be to go across the street to McDonald’s or go to the cafeteria for mac and cheese, but these foods will often leave you feeling worse than before. Instead, think about eating foods that are high in fibre and protein, whole grains, yogurt, dark chocolate and leafy greens. Not only will these foods help your body through menstruation, they will also help your brain focus and body energy.
Calm down: I would be lying if I said that I remained as cool as a cucumber during my study time. It is totally normal to have moments of panic but it isn’t necessarily the best way to handle your stress. Instead, when you notice that you are starting to lose your mind, take a step away from your textbooks and go for a walk or do some yoga. Do something that helps you relax so that you can focus on studying what you need to know instead of making up awful scenarios of failure in your mind.
