Reduce stress in your life

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Although stress does not cause premenstrual syndrome (PMS), reducing stress can make your symptoms less severe.

Identify the difficult situations and people in your life, and then look for ways you can reduce the stress they cause.
Manage your schedule ahead of time as much as possible. Avoid the stress of rushing by planning in an extra 5 to 10 minutes before commitments and appointments.
Get the amount of sleep you need to feel rested the next day.
Avoid stressful or emotional activities (paying bills or reading an exciting book) just before going to bed, especially if your PMS symptoms include sleep disturbance.
Try a relaxation technique such as meditation. Meditation methods may reduce PMS mood symptoms much more effectively than no activity or a quiet activity. Meditation has an effect on natural brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) that calm your mood.

For more information about ways to reduce stress, see the topic Stress Management.

Credits

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Author	Sandy Jocoy, RN
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last Updated	June 19, 2008

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Last updated:	June 19, 2008
Author:	Sandy Jocoy, RN
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC

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