Stretches To Relieve Cramps

Ouch! Ughhh! Cramps can be so painful and annoying. Lucky for you, a little stretching can go a long way in relieving cramps. Light exercise during your periods can help ease the heavy, bloated (puffy) feeling you sometimes get while on your period. Workouts that stretch your body are best. Here are a three awesome stretches that are great for relieving PMS cramps:

1. Wide Leg Forward Bend
Start by sitting on the floor with your legs out in front of you, and then separate them as far apart as you can get them. Reach out each arm to the coordinating leg, keeping your back upright and straight, and hold on to your toes, or clasp your ankles lightly. Breathe in and hold your diaphragm (the muscle under your ribs) up and in. Holding this position, take a few deep breaths. As you breathe out for the last time, bend forward toward the floor and exhale.

2. Butterfly Stretch
Sit on the floor with your knees open and bent at the sides, with the soles of your feet together in front of your groin. Clasp your hands under your toes, or hold your ankles. Press the soles of your feet together and breathe in, deeply expanding your chest and lifting your diaphragm, as described above. Raise your head a little, and feel your stomach expand. Breathe in and out deeply into your stomach four or five times.

3. Knee to Chest Stretch
Lie on your back with one leg stretched out, and pull the other knee up toward your chin. Clasp your knee with your arms to ease the strain and then hold the posture, relaxing for a few minutes.