5 things to pack if you’re traveling on your period

First, let me say that it BLOWS MY MIND how many people land at my blog via the 5 ways to sleep well when you’re on your period post. So I guess with Labor Day right around the corner, now would be a GREAT time to give you some more “HOW TO SURVIVE ON YOUR PERIOD” tips.

 

Second, let me say that I travel a lot. This year I’ve gone to Nashville, San Francisco, So Cal (twice!) and those are just the trips that required planes! I spent every weekend of July 2 hours away at Camp Arnold. That’s a lot of road tripping. And because I travel so much, I OFTEN deal with the joy of traveling while on my period. Yayyyy.

Let me help you, friends.

Before we get to the stuff where we talk about what to put in your bag, let me say that if you are traveling on your period, you’ll want to travel comfortably…. but cutely.

Odds are, if you’re on your period you probably don’t feel like the freshest, flyest person in the world. Yes I did just use the word flyest. I’ve discovered my #1 traveling outfit and I went ahead and tried to take a good picture of it for you. Fashion blogger I am not. First I didn’t realize my lens had water spots on it and then I didn’t realize HOW DUSTY my mirror was. But you get the idea.

 

Anyway. You get the idea. An oversized, ultra comfy t-shirt (mine is by Lucy but it’s out of stock wahhh), a chambray top (similar) and then DUH of course Lauren Conrad leggings + LC flip flops (because I always carry cozy socks and feel less offensive slipping off flip flops than I do shoes).

Literally my go-to travel outfit. I’ll be wearing it in a few weeks on my way to Nashville. 🙂

 

MOVING ON!

 

 

ONE // CRAVINGS

Sometimes when I’m on my period, I literally think that a stop sign might taste good with enough nutella on it. Joking 0%. I tend to crave chocolate… but I also sometimes crave salty stuff…. but then sometimes I’m like “I should just eat a handful of raisins or something.” Which is why I recommend trail mix. That stuff is SO EXPENSIVE in places that cater to travelers (airports and gas stations), so bringing some on your own is ideal. Personally I’m a huge fan of the Archer Farms Monster Mix, but you could make your own. Know what you’ll want and come prepared.

{via greatist.com}

TWO  // PAIN RELIEVER

Cramps suck. But cramps on a plane? or in a car? or on a train? No thank you. Make sure you come prepared with something to help battle the pain. Ibuprofen if you’re into that, OR I read that Clary Sage is a great essential oil for cramps. If you’re into that. Just don’t get stuck 10,000 feet in the air with severe cramps and unable to do anything.

THREE // PROTECTION

Okay I personally HATE going to the bathroom on airplanes. TRUE STORY – on my last plane ride, I had to go SO BAD. I’d been listening to music and took my headphones out and said to the girls next to me “I have to pee really badly.” They said it was okay for me to go. So as I’m sitting there on the toilet they make the announcement for people to PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE CAPTAIN HAD NOT TURNED OFF THE FASTEN SEATBELT SIGN AND PLEASE STAY IN YOUR SEATS. Ahhhh I was so freaked out I SUDDENLY COULDN’T PEE. It was the worst. Or how about when you get the window seat (cha ching!!!)…. but the aisle seat dweller is asleep (booooo).

Or even just in the car. Have you ever SEEN rest stop bathrooms? YIKES.

For the most part, I wear tampons. But when I’m traveling… yeah, no. I want to know I’m completely covered, and I don’t want to worry about dying of TSS because there wasn’t a convenient place to use the bathroom. And THAT is why I always travel with extra period protection, like these U by Kotex Security pads. With a name like SECURITY you can count on protection. Pretend I said that like I was in a commercial, okay? 🙂 They come with the Kotex 3D Capture Core AND the Kotex XpressDRI cover – it draws in + locks away wetness. But don’t just take my word. Kotex is letting you snag some free samples. Last I checked, they were starting to go out of stock so go there ASAP so you can still grab your samples!

FOUR // COZY

Maybe it’s just me, but when I’m on my period I just want to lay in bed in my pajamas, eat pounds of chocolate, watch trashy TV, and cry. Seat 26B or a passenger seat might be the closest I have to my bed. I must make do with what I have. That’s why I always travel with cozy socks. If you want to take it up a level, you can even bring a cozy blanket. It will make stealing some rest a little easier.

FIVE // ENTERTAINMENT

Anybody else notice that when you’re on your period, you kind of hate everyone a little bit? Or is it just me? Make sure you bring something to keep your mind occupied.. magazines, word searches, a fully charged computer (hello writing a bunch of blog posts to be added to your blog later), headphones for listening to music, a notepad for brainstorming how to take over the world and obviously a book.

Make sure you’re already prepared by picking up your Kotex samples. You can plan on your period, but sometimes the best trips are spontaneous and unplanned. If the two happen to overlap, having extra Kotex supplies on hand mean you only have FOUR things from my list to pack 🙂