Changing this lifestyle factor can reduce your PMS symptoms

If you’re someone who struggles with the physical and psychological symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), then living near green spaces might make your periods a little less miserable.

This is the finding of a first-of-its-kind study of 1,000 women aged 18 to 49 residing in Sweden and Norway. Adding to a growing body of evidence supporting the benefits of living in green neighbourhoods, the research found that green living was linked to fewer PMS symptoms including anxiety, depression, difficulty sleeping, breast tenderness or abdominal bloating.

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Confirming what we already know, proximity to greenery helps reduce stress and improve overall mental health. Stress can make PMS symptoms worse so this may explain why the study published in Environment International, found greenery to be helpful in reducing the psychological symptoms.

But the study’s lead author says there’s a catch! Women needed to be exposed to green space for a long time to get the most benefits. This is why city planners must prioritise the upkeep and allotment of natural environments in urban settings.

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