How to Deal With PMS Mood Swings

"That time of the month" isn't just a saying. About five to 10 days before menstruation begins, your hormone levels shift, causing a variety of symptoms from fatigue, to moodiness, to nausea. According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 85 percent of premenstrual women exhibit at least one of the dozens of possible symptoms. You shouldn't have to pause your life to manage your premenstrual syndrome, PMS, moods. A variety of solutions, including medication and lifestyle changes can help stabilize your mood and reduce the drama associated with emotional outbursts and mood swings.

Instructions

• 1

  Exercise your body. Treating your body well is beneficial any time of the month but especially if you experience PMS symptoms. Walking briskly for 30 minutes a day lowers your heart rate, allows you to manage stress more effectively and can reduce strong emotional waves. Exercise also increases your dopamine levels, a chemical in your brain that allows you to feel happy and less depressed.

• 2

  Eat complex carbohydrates, which can help alleviate your mood swings and food cravings. You don't need to sit down and eat five pounds of pasta, but incorporating small servings of whole grains, lentils and oatmeal into your diet throughout the day helps elevate your mood and take the edge off your cravings. Avoid items that make you feel edgy. Beverages that contain alcohol and/or caffeine naturally intensify your emotional responses or sense of anxiety.

• 3

  Relax. Stress and feelings of anxiety run high for many women with PMS. Practicing yoga, taking brief naps and performing meditation are all good ways to reduce your stress level and enhance your mood. Ask a friend to join you at a yoga studio or treat yourself to a massage when you begin experiencing PMS symptoms. As you feel more relaxed, you'll become less easily agitated and enjoy yourself more when around other people.

• 4

  Take a prescribed medication. If other attempts to manage your PMS mood swings have failed, you may need to speak with your doctor about taking an antidepressant. Antidepressants come in a variety of forms and can help stabilize depression and overwhelming emotions associated with PMS. Speak with your doctor about which medication is most appropriate for you.