01/09/2025
🌸 Why Movement Can Help You Flow With PMDD 🌸
I often talk to my clients about the benefits of movement and for PMDD it is absolutely crucial.
Typical nervous system regulation approaches focus primarily on down regulating or slow movement like yoga in the luteal phase, and whilst this is important, the aim of constant calm is not flowing with PMDD and is not always attainable.
We want to be able to flow with the waves of intensity that comes with PMDD, not expect the waves to fade (although that would be wonderful).
Emotions that flare in PMDD are often long suppressed, and require us to move the emotions through the mind and body. When peak anger flares in PMDD we need movement like dancing, weights, walking, running, shaking that allow for the tension in the body to release.
Research show us that movement can help to regulate the nervous system, so we need a mix of both up and down regulating movement.
🏃♀️Up-regulation practices like dancing, brisk walking, running and weights training can release built up tension and improve mood.
🧘♀️ Down-regulation practices like yoga, stretching or gentle breath-led movement can support emotional regulation, reduce hyper arousal and calm the body.
To be able to flow we need to tune into what our body needs and is showing us. Whether it’s to release tension and move emotion through the body or to restore calm movement is a powerful tool.
What movement helps you to cope with PMDD or your general mental health? 💭