PMS is a Teacher: What Your Cycle is Trying to Tell You
We often talk about PMS as a nuisance – the cramps, the cravings, the mood swings. But what if PMS wasn’t just something to endure? What if it was your body’s way of sending a message? Ayurveda sees it this way.
In the Ayurvedic tradition, PMS isn’t just a collection of symptoms – it’s a conversation between your body and your mind. The discomfort you feel isn’t random. It’s your body’s way of letting you know that something is out of balance. And the best part? Once you understand the language of your body, you can respond with clarity and compassion.
Your Body Speaks Through Doshas
According to Ayurveda, our bodies and minds are governed by three doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each of these doshas has specific qualities, and when they become imbalanced, they create distinct symptoms, including PMS.
Vata PMS: Anxiety, restlessness, irregular periods, bloating, constipation. Your body may be telling you it needs more warmth, routine, and grounding practices.
Pitta PMS: Irritability, hot flashes, heavy bleeding, acne. These are signs of excess heat in the body, and a reminder to cool down – literally and figuratively.
Kapha PMS: Sluggishness, water retention, emotional eating, a sense of heaviness. This is your body’s way of telling you it needs movement and lightness.
But this isn’t just about knowing your dosha. It’s about recognizing that your body is communicating with you all the time.
Listening to Your Body’s Signals
Imagine if you could hear the whispers before they became shouts. That’s what Ayurveda offers – a way to tune in to your body’s quiet messages before they turn into loud, uncomfortable symptoms. Here are a few ways to start listening:
Track Your Symptoms: Keep a simple journal of how you feel before, during, and after your period. Over time, you’ll notice patterns.
Adjust Your Diet: Choose foods that support your dominant dosha, especially in the week leading up to your period.
Practice Restorative Movement: Gentle yoga, walking, and deep breathing can all help balance your body’s energy.
Stay Hydrated and Warm: Whether it’s warm herbal teas for Vata, cooling peppermint tea for Pitta, or ginger tea for Kapha, hydration is key.
Respect Your Energy: Your cycle is a rhythm – some days are for rest, others for action. Honor that flow.
Embrace PMS as an Opportunity
Ayurveda reframes PMS as a gift – a chance to understand your body, make subtle adjustments, and practice self-compassion. When you stop seeing PMS as an enemy and start seeing it as a guide, everything changes.
Want to learn more? I dive deep into this topic on the latest episode of Everyday Ayurveda with Kate. Tune in to hear how you can decode your body’s messages and use Ayurveda to bring balance back to your cycle.
Listen here:
https://healwithkate.org/podcast
Or explore even more in my book, Everyday Ayurveda for Women’s Health: https://healwithkate.org/book-tour/book-tour
