1. Tell your friends and family ahead of time. 

You know when you see that friend walk through the classroom door for at 8:00 am looking like she could just maybe kill someone and you immediately know "it" has begun?

Or you schedule a dinner with a friend to work out some small conflicts in your friendship and then you just start crying and getting super emotional and your friend is staring at you with some definite confusion?

Yup unfortunately been there both times. I have now made it a point to tell my close friends (and family when I am home) that my period is coming and there's nothing anyone can do to stop it so everyone just hold onto your hats. This doesn't give me permission to act any way I want but does let them know that I am going to need some space and gentleness and rest.

2. Try to get work done before your period starts.  

If you have a bunch of projects and homework coming up during the first few days of your period, get it done beforehand. I cannot tell you how much this helps bring the stress level down and gives me permission to rest more and talk more kindly to myself without the regular chatter of to-do lists in my head.

3. Take care of yourself. 

Take an essential oil bath. Give yourself a foot massage. Have a deep conversation with a friend. JOURNAL. Take a walk at sunset. Color mandalas. Paint a canvas. Watch an inspirational movie. Paint your nails. Decorate your room. Play some piano. Read a book. Bake something delicious (or in my case, burn something delicious).

The purpose is just to carve out some time for yourself to slow down and do some reflecting.

4. Give yourself permission to be emotional. 

Many people think of expressing emotions as a weakness, especially if you are a woman. You know how they say: "Oh she's emotional so she must be on her period." No more of that, please. Emotions are powerful so if you want to cry, then cry. When you cry, scientifically, your body experiences a release of tension and stress. These tears are a gift and they help unburden your heart.