Festivals and Your Period: Your Guide to Enjoying Every Beat

Great artists, a wonderful atmosphere, dancing outdoors, and enjoying life with like-minded people. Festivals are a celebration of life and freedom. But what happens when your period decides it's time to party? Your period should never get in the way of your life, but we understand there are better times to menstruate. With a little extra care and some smart planning, you can make it through the festival days unscathed. Here's our Guud Woman guide with everything you need to know.

What do you bring to a festival when you're on your period?

If packing for a festival is tricky, you've never packed for a festival on your period. It takes some preparation, but don't worry: everything should fit.

• Your regular period products : Don't underestimate your period! Bring everything you normally use, plus a few extras: tampons, pads, or a menstrual cup. You might be able to borrow some supplies at the festival if you run out, but it's always better to bring extras. Alcohol can increase your flow, so keep that in mind.
• Reusable water bottle: It's common for festivalgoers to forget to drink enough water, and a lack of hydration can worsen cramps (and lead to headaches and low energy). Try to drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Wipes and hand sanitizer: Hygiene can be a challenge, but you need clean hands to change pads and tampons. In addition to hand sanitizer, bring a few organic wipes. They're kinder to your body and better for the environment.
• Disposable Bags: If you don't know what the restrooms are like (or even if you're unsure if there are any), consider bringing a few reusable disposable bags to throw away your tampon or pad.
• Extra underwear: Just in case! Leaks can happen, especially when you're caught up in the moment!
• Painkillers : Just in case, in case you really get cramps or a headache.

How to keep yourself clean

Staying clean and fresh ensures you can enjoy yourself. Here's how to stay clean at a festival:

Bathroom strategy : Look for the cleanest restrooms on the festival grounds. These are usually the ones a bit further away. They're cleaner and have shorter lines. Baby wipes and hand sanitizer are your best friends here too.

Timing : Plan your restroom breaks around artists' sets or halftime to avoid missing the action! Looking for peace and quiet? Take the time to use the restroom during a slower song in the middle of a set. It's often much quieter then, and you'll feel less rushed and under scrutiny. If you get completely lost in the music and lose track of time (it happens!), set an alarm on your phone or watch so you don't forget to change your tampon or pad.

The right fuel for fun: this is what you eat

Food is fuel, and making the right choices can make a world of difference when you're on your period at a festival. While you might crave sugar or fried food, you often feel worse or even sick afterward. You want to avoid that, because the best performers are saved for last. Our tips:

Hydrate : Water, water, water! Plenty of water helps with bloating and keeps your energy levels up.

Smart Snacking : Choose nutrient-rich snacks like fruit, nuts, and whole grains to boost your endurance.

Avoid processed foods : Of course, you might want to indulge sometimes, and that's perfectly fine, but remember: salty snacks and sugary treats can worsen bloating and mood swings. Pay attention to what you eat and try to maintain a balanced diet as much as possible. If it's not too hot, consider packing a few bars of dark chocolate. They're delicious for satisfying your sweet tooth and contain magnesium, which can ease cramps .

What are you wearing?

Comfortable clothes can be beautiful too! If you're menstruating at a festival, you'll need to be a little more mindful of your clothing choices.

Comfortable clothing : Choose loose-fitting, breathable clothing to minimize discomfort. It might look cute, but try to avoid one-piece outfits like bodysuits and catsuits, or anything else that's difficult to put on and take off.

You'll want to get to the bathroom as quickly as possible, and there might not be any hooks or a clean place to hang your clothes while you change. Opt for t-shirt dresses, regular, loose-fitting dresses, shorts, or culottes to feel comfortable.

Period underwear : This can be a game-changer. These specially designed panties and briefs offer an extra layer of protection. So if you haven't tried them yet, consider buying a pair before heading to the festival when you feel your period coming on. And no, they don't look like your grandma's underwear; period underwear is actually quite stylish these days.

Listen to your body and be open

You might not normally feel like partying when you're on your period. But hey, you already have that festival ticket, and you don't want to miss out on the fun.

As we just said, you can prepare yourself physically for your period (bringing the right supplies, eating well and wearing comfortable clothes), but your mind also needs some extra care:

• Listen to your body: If you need rest, find a quiet place to relax and recharge. It's incredibly empowering to take a break when your body needs it!
• Stretch and move (dance!) : Gentle stretches can help relieve cramps. We understand you won't be doing yoga on the grounds, but luckily dancing is also a wonderful way to boost endorphins and relieve pain.
• Mindful moments : If you're feeling irritable or grumpy, take breaks and breathe deeply. Remember, you're here to have fun!
• Tell your friends : You can't always plan for everything, so if your friends know you're on your period, they can help you store your supplies, guide you through the crowd to the restroom, or run back to the tent.

Camping at a festival: sustainable menstruation

Speaking of tents: going to a festival for several days? You can also manage your period while camping. What should you keep in mind?

• Choose your spot wisely : Find a spot close to the toilet.
• Dispose of your waste responsibly : Use resealable bags to store used menstrual products and throw them away in the appropriate bin.
• Feel fresh : Use biodegradable soaps and menstrual cups as an eco-friendly option.

At a festival, your period is a minor issue and should never be a deal-breaker. Armed with the wisdom from this guide, we're confident you'll be ready to conquer the festival.

So dance like no one's watching, sing like no one's listening, and embrace the festival euphoria—because with a little preparation, your period is no match for your Guud vibes. Enjoy it, Guud Woman style!