Ever wondered why your period sometimes feels like a chill Sunday, and other times it’s a full-blown war zone in your uterus? You eat well, stay active, maybe even track your cycle — yet cramps, mood swings, bloating, or that random back pain keep returning like uninvited guests.
Here’s the truth — sometimes it’s not your hormones, it’s your habits. During menstruation, your body goes through an intense hormonal dance — delicate, complex, and deeply sensitive. Ayurveda beautifully calls this phase “Rajaswala Paricharya”, meaning a time for care, rest, and gentle nourishment.
But most of us? We do the exact opposite. From skipping meals to hitting the gym too hard, we unknowingly make choices that mess with our natural rhythm. So today, let’s break down the 5 common mistakes women make during periods — and how small changes can make your next cycle feel a whole lot easier.
🥗 Mistake #1: Eating the Wrong Foods (and at the Wrong Time)
If there’s one thing that decides how your period feels — it’s your food. Your body needs warmth, iron, magnesium, and comfort during these days. But what do we usually do? Grab iced coffee, raw salads, or a cold smoothie bowl straight from the fridge.
Here’s the issue: cold and drying foods slow down circulation and digestion, making cramps and bloating worse. Ayurveda advises eating “warming foods” that promote smooth blood flow and balance vata dosha (the energy of movement).
What to Eat Instead:
- Freshly cooked, warm meals — think khichdi, dal, sabzi, and rice.
- Sesame seeds, coconut, and jaggery laddoos — all support healthy flow and energy.
- Add haldi doodh or turmeric water before bed.
- Ginger tea instead of green tea or coffee (ginger warms, coffee dehydrates).
- Add leafy greens and gourds — rich in iron and magnesium, nutrients your body loses during menstruation.
What to Avoid:
❌ Ice-cold drinks, soft drinks, and alcohol (they constrict blood flow)
❌ Deep-fried food (harder to digest)
❌ Unsoaked nuts and salads at night (they’re too drying)
Your period diet doesn’t need to be fancy — just warm, simple, and made with love. Honestly, our grandmothers had it figured out.
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🚿 Mistake #2: Taking a Head Bath During Periods
Okay, this one sounds like an old-school myth — but there’s logic behind it. When you pour water on your head, your body temperature drops suddenly. The body then directs heat energy upward to balance things — the opposite of what you want when your uterus is trying to release menstrual blood.
Result? The flow may pause temporarily, leading to clotting, cramps, or even irregular ovulation later. Modern life obviously doesn’t allow avoiding showers completely (and please don’t!). But Ayurveda says — if you must bathe, use lukewarm water and avoid head baths for the first 3 days.
Tip: Add Epsom salt to your bath water. It’s rich in magnesium, relaxes muscles, reduces cramps, and helps you sleep better. Basically, spa vibes without leaving home.
🧘♀️ Mistake #3: Overexerting Your Body (and Mind)
Let’s talk about workouts. Can you exercise during your period? Sure. Should you push your body to the limit? Absolutely not.
Light movement helps — gentle yoga, walking, stretching, or breathing exercises. These boost mood, balance hormones, and reduce fatigue. But high-intensity workouts can stress your body further, leading to delayed or painful cycles over time.
Ayurveda suggests avoiding asanas or exercises where the legs are lifted above the heart. Instead, try:
- Anulom Vilom for 10 minutes daily (balances energy)
- A slow evening walk under moonlight (yes, it works!)
- Gentle stretching or light strength training
And please — don’t skip sleep. During your period, your body is in recovery mode. It needs rest. Overexertion and sleepless nights can invite long-term issues like PCOD and hormonal fatigue.
Sometimes, doing less is the most powerful act of self-care.
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💋 Mistake #4: Having Sex During the First 3 Days
Let’s get this one out in the open. Yes, modern science says sex during menstruation can be safe. But Ayurveda — and honestly, logic — disagree for the early days of your cycle.
Your body is cleansing itself. The cervix is open, the lining is shedding, and immunity is temporarily lower. Intercourse at this time can increase the risk of UTIs, endometriosis, and even bacterial infections. Besides, it’s not exactly comfortable — your body’s already tired and sensitive. If intimacy feels important, choose cuddles, conversations, or emotional closeness instead. Connection doesn’t always need to be physical. Sometimes, empathy is far more healing.
🩸 Mistake #5: Using Chemical-Laden Sanitary Pads
Here’s a truth that doesn’t get spoken enough — Those “ultra-white, ultra-thin” sanitary pads? They’re not white by nature. They’re bleached using chlorine and dioxins, both harmful chemicals known to disrupt hormones and even trigger long-term issues.
According to studies, the vaginal area absorbs substances fast — which means whatever’s in your pad goes straight into your bloodstream. So what’s the fix? 👉 Switch to biodegradable pads, cloth pads, or the menstrual cup. They’re safer, eco-friendly, and surprisingly more comfortable once you get used to them.
Also — change your pad every 4–8 hours, even on light-flow days. A damp pad is a party place for bacteria and fungus. (Not the kind of guest you want.)
Small swaps → long-term health. Simple as that.
🌸 Making Your Periods Easier — Real-Life Fixes
Let’s face it — between office, chores, and life’s chaos, nobody has time for long wellness rituals during periods. But small tweaks can make a big difference, without turning your schedule upside down.
🥗 Food: Skip iced drinks and raw salads late at night. Instead, grab warm, freshly cooked meals like dal, khichdi, or rice with veggies. Add a haldi doodh or ginger tea before bed — it warms your body and eases cramps. Roast makhana or eat jaggery-laden snacks for energy, and don’t stress about fancy meals.
🚿 Bath: No need to skip showers, but use lukewarm water and avoid head baths for the first 2–3 days. Add a teaspoon of Epsom salt to relax muscles and boost sleep. Quick tip: if mornings are hectic, bathe after chores when you can actually enjoy a few calming minutes.
🧘♀️ Exercise: Light movement is perfect — gentle yoga, walking, or stretching. Skip high-intensity workouts during heavy flow days. Even a 10-minute breathing session or a moonlit evening walk works wonders for hormones and mood.
💋 Intimacy: The first 3 days are best for emotional closeness, not physical. Cuddles, chats, or shared hobbies can be more healing than intercourse while your body is cleansing and sensitive.
♻️ Menstrual Products: Ditch chemical pads and tampons. Opt for biodegradable pads, cloth pads, or a menstrual cup. Change every 4–8 hours to avoid infections.
Small, practical shifts like these let your body flow naturally — without adding stress. Period care doesn’t need to be complicated; it just needs to fit your life.
💬 FAQs
Q1. What should I eat during periods in India?
Eat warm, cooked meals like dal-chawal, khichdi, sabzi, and roti. Add jaggery, sesame, haldi doodh, and green vegetables for iron and magnesium.
Q2. Is bathing during periods okay?
Yes, but avoid head baths for the first 3 days. Use lukewarm water and add Epsom salt for relaxation.
Q3. Can I exercise during my period?
Light yoga, walking, and breathing exercises are great. Avoid heavy workouts or leg-lifting asanas.
Q4. What’s the safest sanitary product?
Biodegradable pads, cloth pads, or menstrual cups are safest for your health and the planet.
Q5. Can I have sex during periods?
Avoid intercourse during the first 3 days. It increases infection risk and affects natural cleansing.
🌙 The Ayurvedic Way: Listen to Your Body
If we sum it up, Ayurveda and modern wellness say the same thing. Your body knows what it needs. You just have to listen.
Eat warm, fresh food. Rest when you’re tired. Skip the ice-cold lassi. Move lightly. Choose safe products. Periods aren’t a curse. They’re your body’s way of renewing itself every month.
And honestly, when treated with care, your period can become your most grounding, peaceful phase — not the most dreaded one.
❤️ Conclusion
At the end of the day, your period isn’t something to “get over with.” It’s something to honor. Our bodies aren’t machines — they’re living rhythms that ask for kindness, not shortcuts.
So next time, skip the iced coffee, take that warm bath, rest an hour more, and choose clean pads. Because when you care for your cycle, you’re not just managing periods — you’re nurturing your hormones, your fertility, your mood, and your overall wellbeing.
Your body remembers how you treat it. Make it feel loved. 🌷
Komal Palesha is a passionate writer and eco‑enthusiast dedicated to inspiring mindful, sustainable living. She loves exploring natural health remedies, green habits, and easy lifestyle tweaks that help balance body, mind, and planet. Komal believes that small, consistent changes can lead to big transformations — and she’s on a mission to help readers live smarter and greener, one post at a time.
