A roundup of easy, effective tips for getting your body ready to remain active even while on your period! Don’t let your ‘time of the month’ stop you from doing what you love and what’s good for your body!
A few weeks ago we discussed natural ways to ease PMS symptoms. That post got a GREAT response and you all seemed very interested in learning more about ways to stay healthy and happy when you’re on your period. Well, as a follow-up to that informative I wanted to talk about staying active on your period!
Most of the readers of this blog are fitness lovers just like me and actively participate in some sort of movement daily. It can be hard for this normal routine to get disrupted during your ‘time of the month’…especially when you’re not feeling well, run down, or dealing with PMS. But that doesn’t have to be the case!
Today I am sharing 7 Healthy Tips for Staying Active During Your ‘Time of the Month’! Easy, effective suggestions you can implement into your everyday life that allow you to keep movin’ and groovin’ no matter what your body is going through. The important things are to stay comfortable, healthy, and happy. You can do all 3 of those things with this go-to guide. 🙂
Go LIGHT!
Usually when it comes to workouts, the recommendation is GO HARD, go big or go home, keep pushing! But on your period, taking things easy and stepping back your usual intensity and duration can be exactly what you need. It’s more about getting some sort of activity in rather than going ‘balls to the wall’. Pun intended. 😉 Try a relaxing yoga workout, light cardio outdoors, or a resistance workout using moderate weights!
Catch Some Zs
On regular days, it’s important to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. This is especially true when you’re on your period. Menstruating zaps your energy which can make completing a workout less likely to happen. So aim for 8-10 hours of sleep when on your period so that you’ll feel energized, rested, and ready to get active.
Bolster Your Diet
Your period usually comes with ‘junk food’ cravings, right? Well those type of foods don’t do much to make you feel good or to fuel a workout. Reach for more fruits and veggies while on your period than you normally would in order to quell PMS symptoms, stay hydrated, and keep you energized for some activity. When you eat good, healthy foods that’s what you begin to crave! So eating enough smart choices throughout your day can make a huge difference.
Reach for a Heating Pad
Not only do heating pads feel comforting and relaxing during your period, but they can help ease cramps and soothe sore muscles. The better your tummy and your muscles feel the more likely you’ll feel up to getting up, getting out, and getting active even while on your period!
Drink Like a Fish
Drinking water when you’re already feeling puffy, bloated, and fluid filled may seem like the last thing you want to do. But drinking water actually helps flush our your body of other fluids, boosts energy (which is needed for a good workout!), and will make sure you stay hydrated during your sweat session.
Be Prepared
Of course you need pads and tampons on you at all times when you’re on your period, but if you want to remain active while menstruating, it’s crucial to have the right KIND of hygiene products. You can’t use ordinary products, you need something that meets your personal needs while also making you feel comfortable and protected during a workout. This is where Playtex® Sport® Liners, Pads and Combo Packs come in!
Playtex® Sport® believes women and girls should feel prepared, confident, and protected as they exercise! Our periods shouldn’t keep us from doing what we love, ya know? Playtex® Sport® created products with Sport Level Protection® that allows us to keep moving and shaking no matter time of the month it is. 🙂
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Do Something…or DON’T
At the end of the day what’s important is LISTENING to your body. If you really don’t feel up to exercising or working out…DON’T. Don’t force yourself to be active when your body is begging for rest. Your period takes a lot out of you so it’s important to get adequate downtime to be able to function and complete all the other necessary things you have to accomplish during your day. Exercise will always be there and workouts always are more enjoyable when you’re feeling up to them anyways! 🙂
I also gathered some tips from friends on their favorite ways to stay active while on their period!
Dancing in the mirror! Also it helps me to put on my loosest activeware and remind myself that my body is most likely not going to reflect the workout I just did no matter how intense because my body is retaining water and bloating. Keeps me mentally sane and able to enjoy the workout! | Cayanne
If you try to stick to your normal routine, you wont focus on any discomfort. Normal routine for me is sticking to my normal workouts and activities (meetings and such), so I feel better mentally, like “hey, I’m not going let this get me down!” | Priya
I find that I’m always more tired around my time of the month, which is my body’s way of telling me I need more sleep to repair itself. To make sure I have enough energy to workout I make sure I get to bed a little earlier during my time of the month so I can get more sleep. | Kayla
My advice is to stop thinking ‘all or nothing’ – even if your workout isn’t as intense as usual, it’s not a bad workout. One way to figure out how high the intensity of your workout should be, is to listen to your body and do the warm-up: If it makes you feel worse, maybe it’s best to skip. If it doesn’t, go for moderate intensity, and if warming up makes you feel better, simply go for it! | Anne
I make sure to drink tons of water (even more than usual) to keep bloat to a minimum as well as eat healthy (low salt) foods so I don’t feel so icky when I workout. I always feel so much better after working out and find the bloat reduced and have a renewed sense of energy. I think my best advice is to not let your time of the month affect how you live your life (unless its debilitating pain of course). You can still exercise and push yourself as much as you see fit. Altering your workouts or intensity around your monthly schedule can help. I find that yoga, weightlifting, or swimming really help to calm the cramps! | Keri
Instead of intense workouts, I go for long walks or stretch depending upon how I am feeling. It helps me feel much better, especially with my back pain and bloating. | Dixya
As much as I might want to crawl back into bed that 1st day, I force myself to stick to my regularly scheduled workout. If I can get through those first 10 minutes, I start to feel much better and I always glad I did it. | Deborah
Drink lots of water. Drinking water helps rejuvenate the body and keeps it working optimally. I also recommend taking magnesium to help with cramping. | Julie
For me, the important part is being active. I dial back my intensity if I don’t feel well. I lightened up my weights today. And decreased my workout time. But I got moving. Walking and talking with a friend is usually my go to. Simple, low exertion, and I get to chat with a friend too. | Jessie
Do you exercise during your ‘time of the month’?
How do you ensure you stay active and comfortable when you you’re on your period?
What’s your favorite way to stay active in general?

Linking up with TOL and JillConyers.
This post was sponsored by Playtex® Sport® as part of an Influencer Activation for Blog Meets Brand. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.
I so agree with all of these ladies that gentle workouts are really key! I love to do a gentle workout where I just get moving without doing something really intense and exhausting.
Thanks Em! Glad you agree!!
Great advice, I never thought about drinking more when I was having my period. It makes so much sense to flush your system. And it makes great sense to find a hygiene product that gives you extra protection so you don’t have to worry so much. I will definitely be giving your tips a go! Thanks!
Yes! Thanks Nikki! Glad you got some good info from this post!!
These are really great tips. My issue is the water drinking but I have been trying to drink more water and less coffee because I know my body needs it. I also love to go hiking so I try not to let my period slow me down with that but when it happens I will at least take a walk and do some yoga. Great post!
Thanks Michelle! Glad you found it informative!!
It is pretty challenging sometimes to stay active during my period, but I think even going for a nice walk is what I need.
Yes for sure! Walks always make me feel better no matter what!
Yay so many great tips! So awesome to remind ourselves that life doesnt have to stop for a few days-week each month!
Thanks Kerri! Glad you found this helpful!!
I love this! I always try to get out and do something because most of the time I’m able to get through the workout just fine. The motivation can be the hardest part!
Yes motivation can be tough but once you get started it’s so much easier!!
Great advice. I always feel like my energy is totally zapped when on my period but I really like the idea of a yoga class or something less intense. Thanks for sharing!
So welcome! Yoga is so great during your TOTM!
Great Tips! Thanks for sharing at Sunday Fitness & Food Link-Up 🙂
So welcome!!
Great tips! It’s so hard to stay active during that time of the month! I am fitness lover so I can’t wait to employ these tips!
I am glad you found them helpful!
I love to walk!! Such a great way to get active and you go do it for as long or as short as you want.
Thanks for sharing at #bloggerspotlight!
Thank you Hil!
Great advice! Thanks for sharing at Funtastic Friday!
Thanks Donna!
I absolutely exercise during that time of the month! It really helps relieve cramps! Drinking tons of water is also great advice!
Thanks Erin!
These are great tips and I’ll have to keep them in mind! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Share The Wealth Sunday!
Thank you!! Glad you enjoyed the post!!