10 Comforting Items That Help Get Me Through My Monthly PMS and Period Symptoms

When I have PMS, I have no interest in wearing anything remotely restrictive, which is why I'm always in loose sundresses or sweats on the days leading up to my period. In the summer, I gravitate toward super comfy and lightweight sweat shorts, like the Everlane the Retro Jersey Short ($38).

Sometimes I don't mind being chained to the couch in order to soothe my period cramps. However, on the days when I need to move around to get chores or errands done, I stick the Rael Heating Patch for Menstrual Cramps ($6 for three patches) on the outside of my underwear. These essential oil-infused, self-warming patches offer heated relief for up to six hours.

When I'm emotionally overwhelmed or stressed out, jotting down a few sentences about how I'm feeling, or what caused me to feel that way, has proven to help me unwind. I fill up journals fast and am in need of a new one. I've been tempted to add the Turquoise Suede Foldover Journal ($30) to my shopping cart — it's so beautiful!

Before and during my period, I prioritize gentle exercise like yoga, stretching, and Pilates. I basically live on my Gaiam Yoga Mat ($20). It serves as my station for meditation, too.

My digestion isn't always at its best when I have PMS, so I always keep my kitchen stocked with tea to help relieve some of the discomfort. I love the Lemon Ginger tea in the Yogi Tea Ginger Tea Variety Pack ($15).

Keeping a water bottle, like the YETI Rambler ($50), filled up and on hand has been helping me to drink more water throughout the day. My PMS motivation? Staying properly hydrated can help with relieving issues like bloating.

Cozying up on the couch with a cozy blanket, like the West Elm Soft Corded Throw ($60), while watching never-ending reruns is my favorite PMS activity, if I'm being honest.

Smoothies are an easy way for me to consume some foods, like nut butters and avocados, that are known to help alleviate menstrual cramps. I've come to love my NutriBullet NBR-0601 Nutrient Extractor ($55) because it blends everything up in seconds and is so easy to clean.

Whether I'm curling up with a heating pad and a book or drawing a hot bath to help soothe my cramps, I always try to light a therapeutic-smelling candle to set a more relaxing mood. I've been eyeing the Brooklyn Candle Studio Sunday Morning Minimalist Candle ($28), which holds notes of amber, jasmine, gardenia, and pear.

When my joints and lower back are achy, I lean on muscle-soothing topicals for fast relief. The Asutra Pain Relieving Magnesium Oil Spray ($15) is one of them.