Last year I was diagnosed with adenomyosis, which means that some months it feels like my uterus is trying to take me down. Last night was no exception. No worries – mindfulness meditation to the rescue!

Awareness of Hormones

The good thing about this diagnosis is that I began to research hormones and how they change throughout the month, depending on where I am in my cycle.

I read a great book called Woman Code that helped me to learn how to live in sync with my cycle.  I now have more self-compassion for my body during my menstrual period and give it what it needs.

photo credit

Tough it Out?

If you’re like many women, when the cramps start you may be likely to hold your breath or tense your body until they pass.  That’s what I used to do – just try to ride them out.

This can actually make the pain more intense.  What you resist, persists. This is where mindfulness meditation for menstrual cramps can help.

 

taken during my mindful walk

 

The power of breath

 

The next time you have cramps, try to open you body and breath into your abdomen and lower back.  Try to release the tension and calm the region.

At first this may feel counter intuitive.  It may seem like you are opening your body for pain, but the pain is likely to pass more quickly if you accept that it is there and just keep giving your body slow, deep breaths.

 

Pain VS. Suffering

 

I would also invite you to take this time when you are breathing into your body, to see what type of thoughts you are having about the pain.

Are you feeling angry about it?  Are you “shoulding” all over yourself thinking you shouldn’t have to deal with this.

Pain is one thing – suffering is another.

Pain is the physical sensation you are experiencing as your body moves through your cycle.

Suffering is cause by the thoughts and emotions you have about the pain.

How Mindfulness Meditation Helps

Mindfulness meditation helps to recognize those thoughts that cause suffering and let them go, which lets the suffering go.