One of the few good things to come out of this year was diving into the unfamiliar world of cycle syncing. I have been in search of something to connect me with my body ever since my diagnosis of an auto-immune condition two years ago and at the beginning of my health journey, I never thought about paying attention to my cycle to help.

My unhealthy relationship with my body has always stood in the way of feeling good. From digestive issues to anxiety, I felt disappointed in my bodies inability to adapt and crusade for me.

Two years ago was the first time I ever really felt good 98% of the time. My digestive issues didn’t hold me back and my hormones finally felt balanced. But I still struggled around the time I menstruated. A few days before I would get awful cramps along with feeling lethargic, irritable, and unmotivated.

I had no idea what was going on. I was never taught to pay attention to my menstrual cycle and the thought of exploring it more felt foreign and sinful (further research finds that patriarchal brainwashing is the stem of most women feeling this way). It was gross. Unruly. Dirty.

All the things I felt, I knew that there was more to unravel. So I started to research and pay attention to each phase of my cycle. First I tracked it and then I listened to my body as it entered each new phase.

The beautiful part about your cycle is that you can use it as your own inner guide to things like food, movement, business, relationships, love, and wellbeing.

Did you know that men have a 24-hour hormonal cycle and women have a 28 day? I wish men understood this. It explains SO much.

Women are powerful human beings and the fact that we sync with the moon phases, nature and seasons is remarkable.

So lets break it down and make it simple. If you are in the beginning part of this journey, it is not as intimidating as it seems. And if you already know about syncing with your cycle you might learn a new thing or two!

PS. If you want more support on this, we have a whole week where we cover cycle syncing for hormone balance inside my small group retreat, Thrive Your Way, and you can get more info and join the waitlist for 2021 HERE.

Your Inner Seasons, Cycle Lengths, And Self-Care Suggestions

You have FOUR inner seasons just like mother earth. The first is Menstruation, days 1-5 (when you bleed) is your inner winter. This is a time when your body needs a break. I like to call it your “hibernation” phase and I tell clients to block out 3-4 days on their calendar to rest and recharge. It’s what you do during this phase that sets up the rest of your cycle. When your body is bleeding your progesterone and estrogen are low which is why your energy is low. It’s smart to mention here that PMS is actually not normal and is a sign that your hormones are imbalanced. Syncing with your cycle is a great way to uncover what is really going on with your body.

Follicular, days 6-12, is your inner spring. This is the time your body is waking back up. Your energy is rising as your hormones rise. I think of this as a plant blooming after winter. It’s important to take your time here and not jump back into things. This is a great time to get inspired and brainstorm new business ideas or creative paths. Try a new hobby or go on an adventure. I always feel super motivated during the last half of my follicular phase.

Ovulation, days 13-17, is your inner summer. Your progesterone and estrogen are high and you feel energetic naturally. You may feel sexual and confident during this phase. It’s a wonderful time to connect with your loved one, connect, and be visible. This phase is short so plan accordingly. I like to use this time to have a dinner gathering or go on date night.

Luteal, days 18-28, is your inner autumn. I like to think of the leaves falling and everything preparing for winter. Your hormones are still high during the first half of your luteal phase and then they dip and your energy does the same. During this time, clean out your pantry or closet or curl up with a good book. Prepare for mensuration and complete tasks so you don’t have to do it when your energy is low.

I encourage you to pay attention to your own unique discoveries. Each person will be unique in what they uncover. Not everyone has the same phase length and/or energy flows. The greater your awareness the better grasp you can get on your hormones.

Another key component to cycle syncing for hormonal health is eating and moving depending on what phase you are in. You can CLICK HERE to download my free handout for more information!