Handling My Period On Holiday

My periods have become very heavy and uncomfortable.
My period normally lasts around 5 days, and the first 1-3 days I find it hard to stand up or sometimes even sit at my desk. I find it hard to concentrate. The cramps aren’t always necessarily painful but intense, and I’m finding the need for painkillers and a hot water bottle more often.
I find those first few days I prefer being in the house so I have access to all the toiletries I need, my bed if I need to lie down, and anything else I need if I need to clean myself up.
I don’t know when my periods started to get like this as I’ve not stuck with tracking my cycle symptoms, but I have noticed it over time.
After a shorter cycle earlier this year I will now be starting my period during my holiday abroad in July.
I’m worried about a few things: limited luggage so can’t take loads of sanitary products with me (always worry about running out), bleeding on to hotel bedding, leaking when out and about and not being able to sort myself out, feeling bloated and heavy in hot weather, the cramps and heaviness in my body making getting out and about difficult and unenjoyable.
I can’t avoid being on my period so I’m thinking between now and then I need to try and soothe my symptoms to lessen my anxiety about being on my period during my holiday.
So I would appreciate any advice I can practice across the next 3 cycles I have before my holiday to get prepared.

Answer:

For every obstacle your brain is coming up with, find a solution. Often with thought work we can’t change the circumstance, but in your case we would absolutely offer that you do everything you can to physically support yourself on your period. You have choices. You have resources. Think outside the box your brain has built. If you truly believed you could take care of yourself on holiday, what would you do? Have you consulted with someone who could help you with some of the symptoms your experiencing?

For the anxiety side, start with checking in with your nervous system. How might being on your period on holiday feel activating for it? How can you support yourself through this?

We always want to leave room for some magic as well. Use your imagination to create the best case scenario. What would that look like? How would you feel? How can periods being somewhat unpredictable work for us sometimes? The old saying “Prepare for the worst, hope for the best” might be really helpful.

See what comes up and come back for more coaching.