Can’t touch holistic plans on your menstruation? Or bake bread? Or kept is isolation during the periods?
It is all about the superstitions of periods throughout the globe. Basically, in India it is a matter of shame and even to talk about it in our houses is considered as taboo. The best example of the menstruation was telecasted in the movie ‘Padman’ which revolved around such myths. Now the scenario is to change and talk about it rather than considering it as a taboo. People has to be more aware while discussing it in public for the reason that the lack of awareness has already harmed a lot of women round the globe.
During periods/ menstruation/ chums the women is going through hormonal changes and losing a lot of blood. This leads the women to be a bit vulnerable energetically.
Myth 1: Not allowed to go to temple and do activities pertaining to temple
Reality: A temple is a place where people come with varied thoughts. Majority of the people visit the temples to get rid of their life’s negativity. Hence, it is easier for the women to catch on to this negativity easily. So, it is better for a woman to stay away from it.
(The logic is to let the women be safe from the negative energies.)
Myth 2: Restricted to cook, to prepare pickles especially or to do any kitchen work
Reality: When a woman loses blood from the body the body feels restless and weak. The women were not allowed to cook or work in the kitchen so that they can rest and their body can relax. There is no negative involved in the real reasons behind these myths.
A person who is already in pain and have mood swings can transfer the same energies to the food that is cooked. Hence, the woman was asked to stay out of the kitchen to protect the energies of the food that was being prepared. Again, no negative thought involved, the only thought is to give enough rest to the woman.
Myth 3: Not allowed to sleep with their husbands
Reality: A sexual activity during periods can be a painful feeling for the woman. Also, when the person is undergoing mood swings, the person would feel the best by either being alone or being taken care of by the closed ones.
Myth 4: Woman is impure during menstruation
Reality: It is the belief that ladies are impure during their menstruation. However, it is just a belief, as the process of menstruation is a reason for a new life to come to life. How can a naturally occurring process be impure?
If that is the case, then people must feel impure while excreting out the feces or urine.
Myth 5: Isolated during the menstruation days
Reality: The word ‘isolation’ is not appropriate to use, the women were allowed to stay alone as they were undergoing a lot of hormonal changes leading to mood swings.
Myth 6: Women asked to wash their hair on the third day of cycle to become pure to start household work.
Reality: By default, it is true for anyone to wash their hair on third day. Three days is an average time to wash the hair as the scalp starts to release oil. For the healthy hair it is general practice so it holds no relevance to the periods.
It is High time to release the myths around the menstruation and let the women live with integrity and unconditional acceptance.
** image source UNICEF
By
Drashty Patel
H.R. & M.S.W.
Drashty.patel1@gmail.com