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What Your Mom Never Told You About Your Menstrual Cycle
Women. It’s no secret that our moods and energy levels fluctuate throughout the month according to our hormonal cycles.
Rather than feeling under siege, powerless ‘against’ them, what if you could work in partnership with these waves, with your body in order to bring increased energy and flow into your life?
Imagine a life where you could be your best on any day of the month according to what your body and mind need at that particular time. What this means for your happiness and success is huge!
There is a way that we can live in harmony with our cycles: by listening to our bodies and knowing where we are. This was inherent wisdom for our ancestors but modern woman has, by and large, chosen to ignore these monthly cycles by living each day like the next, pushing through and blaming ourselves when we feel low on energy or not on top form. No wonder this leads to emotional crisis, meltdowns and feelings of inadequacy or failure.
Here is how you can follow nature’s lead throughout the four main parts of your hormonal cycle in order to tap into your inherent femininity and thrive throughout the month:
Menstrual phase (days 1-7): this is when we are most pensive and experience low physical and mental energy. This is a time of rest and minimal activity. Avoid caffeine and give yourself a well-earned break. Use this time to evaluate and look over the past month, to look inwards and consider how you feel about the last few weeks – what went well, what you could do differently next time, what you have learnt, what do you want for the month ahead etc.
Follicular phase (days 7-14): is when your eggs are maturing. This is when you are at your most creative and motivated so it’s a good time to plan and start new projects, activities or adopt new healthy eating habits. This is also a time of high energy and positive thinking. Get active, go for a jog or join a zumba class! Harness that natural motivation to feel really good about yourself. Eat little and often during this phase.
Ovulatory phase (days 14-21): this is when an egg is released to allow for conception to take place. Many women feel sharp or achy twinges on the left or right side of their lower pelvic region where the ovaries are located. You may also have noticed that this is a time when you wear more dresses, skirts, low cut tops and figure hugging clothes! This is because this is the time of the month when feel most sensual, caring and are most communicative (makes sense really, this is the time when nature wants us to to make babies!). Use this time to have important conversations, clear up any outstanding issues that need to be discussed or make an impression – try timing any first dates, public speeches or workshops for this time. This is also a good time for social arrangements and get-togethers. You may feel the urge to bake and prepare nurturing foods for those around you. Go wild, let that domestic goddess out to play!
Luteal phase (days 21-28): is when your uterus lining thickens to create a nurturing environment should conception take place and if not, this lining is shed during menstruation. At this point in your cycle your energy is lower, you feel more anti-social and are naturally more inclined to want to rest your body and mind. If feelings of frustration come up, go for a gentle jog or try some gentle exercise such as yoga. This is a time when you are most detailed oriented. Use this opportunity to work on projects that require attention and precise planning. This is also a good time to Spring clean and get those niggly jobs done from your to-do list. Eat little and often to manage blood sugar levels.
Task: Now, Ladies, go do it, the world needs you!Using the information above, plan the next couple of months in accordance with your hormonal cycle and see the difference. Learn to love your body and its cycles and work with it to help you feel and be your best by going with the flow and accepting where you are at on this particular day.
If you found this post useful, do all of (Wo)mankind a favour and share it with your sisters! Let us know how you get on with this new ebb and flow – has it made a difference in your life, do you feel more at peace with yourself and your fluctuating emotions and energy levels?
