This post is sponsored by Always.
I recently opened up to you guys about something very personal – and typically taboo – using pads after having a baby. Today, I’m continuing the conversation by talking about something we all face as women, whether you’re a mum or not. That time of the month. It can often feel like a huge hurdle when you’re trying to get stuff done – work, having a social life, and especially exercise – can all feel like the last thing you want to do when you’re exhausted and have mind-numbing cramps.
The added pressure of being a plate-spinning, working mum or girl-boss, can also make finding the time to exercise seem even more impossible. Add being on your period on top of that? It’s a wonder how it happens at all! In fact, I was recently talking to a girlfriend of mine, who said she doesn’t workout at all when she’s on her period, due to the fact that she doesn’t feel as confident doing her normal routines for fear of leaks. This got me wondering how many women out there feel the same way. If you think about it, taking a whole week off working out every month can really mess up a regimen, especially if you’re trying to get in shape. And another thing: women (myself included) even change what they wear according to the time of the month, fearing wearing certain colors or silhouettes if they should leak. White skinny jeans? Um, no thanks. In my opinion, your period shouldn’t hinder what you get up to in a day – whether that’s taking meetings, running after your kids, wearing your favorite summer dress, grabbing a cocktail with friends, or doing your favorite spin class.
Many women worry that pads are visible to others in certain clothing, or don’t provide enough protection especially during physical activity, but that’s why I love Always Infinity. They’re thin so they won’t show under your favorite pair of yoga pants, and their unique FlexFoam material makes them ideal for running around at work or exercising, because it molds to your body and absorbs ten times its weight. I know as women we worry about other people knowing we’re on our period – and, well – in an ideal world I’d rather not even know I was on mine! That’s why I love their Zero Feel experience – it’s easy to forget you’re even wearing a pad at all. Job done.
Some other tips for getting it all done?
1. Try a to-do list app. They’re so helpful for all the ideas or tasks that you might have swirling around in your mind all day, and you can set reminders on your phone so that you never miss a deadline. The best part? You can even share lists with others (like your hubby, so that he remembers to pick up the dry cleaning or diapers!).
2. Download an at-home beauty app. As a new mum, having my nails or hair done had an enormous effect on my confidence – just feeling that little bit more presentable, and like my old self. Having someone come to the house to do this meant I could save time – I’ve often fed Honor or had a conference call at the same time!
3. Find your routine. Not just for the baby, but for you too. For example, I book all my workout classes for the week on a Sunday, and Mackenzie and I buy the week’s groceries at the farmer’s market that day too. It sets us up and gets everything organized, which in turn, makes me feel calm.
4. Ask for help. When I first had Honor, I went back to work just six weeks later. And we needed to hire a nanny part-time. I felt so guilty about it and told my Mum I was emotional. She reminded me there’s no benefit in trying to be a martyr and running yourself ragged by attempting to do it all. We have no family in LA, so the best option for us, was to get help in the house. Now we have a rhythm and working mostly from home, I feel lucky to get the best of both worlds.
Mums and working ladies out there, do you have any tips for getting it all done, especially during that time of the month? Tell me your experiences below!
xx,
