Three Home Remedies for Mood Swings

Mood swings are among the most troublesome premenstrual symptoms. Unlike the other menstrual symptoms, there is no one specific remedy, like a pain reliever, that will cure them. And you might not even know you are having a mood swing until you have lost your temper, yelled at your children, or started crying in front of your boss.

In the week before your period begins, you might find yourself feeling weepy, overly emotional, and more easily depressed. Things that are usually only mildly annoying can become extremely irritating. The fuse on your temper might be shorter than usual. Or maybe you are more nervous and jittery than is normal for you.

If mood swings are a problem for you, here are some things that could help.

Cut Back On the Caffeine

If you find you feel particularly nervous, irritable, tense, or anxious right before your period, caffeine will only make it worse. Caffeine is a stimulant that has a direct affect on your nervous system. And, if you suffer from PMS, your nervous-system will be pretty worked up already in the week leading up to your period. Caffeine will just make it worse.

About a week before your period, try to cut back on caffeinated coffee, tea and soda. Eliminating caffeine from your diet entirely would be ideal. But if you absolutely must have a cup of caffeinated coffee in the morning, try to limit yourself to one cup a day.

Eat More Carbohydrates

Are you on a low-carb diet? If so, that could be contributing to your mood swings.

Eating foods that contain plenty of complex carbohydrates and fiber (like beans, corn, potatoes, bran, oats, wheat, and other grains) helps the brain produce serotonin. And, among other things, serotonin helps control your mood.

Eating carbohydrates will also help curb cravings, another common premenstrual symptom.

Eat Right

Poor eating habits can contribute to mood swings. Skipping meals, and eating sugary foods and snacks, can make you feel tired, jittery, and irritable.

So, no more skipping breakfast or lunch, especially before or during your period. In fact, eating several small meals a day, about every four or five hours, can also help alleviate mood swings.

And, if you are hungry for a snack, skip the cookies, sodas and candy bars and reach for healthy, low-sugar or sugar-free alternatives instead.

If erratic mood changes become a problem for you around the time of your period, eating more of the right foods, and less of the wrong ones, can help you take control of your mood swings.