How to master your menstrual cycle for productivity.
You know what’s the worst? When you’re about to get your menstrual cycle period and you have a jam-packed schedule or a looming deadline and all you want to do is take a nap. Maybe you’re tired and overwhelmed or you’re experiencing that hormonal brain fog.
There’s a better way. You don’t have to be a prisoner to your hormones. With a little intention and mindfulness, you can be well on your way to mastering your menstrual cycle. How you ask?
Cycle Syncing
Cycle syncing is the process of tuning into your hormonal fluctuations throughout the month and scheduling your life around those fluctuations.
With cycle syncing, you can adapt your fitness, nutrition, social calendar and even work tasks around the different phases of your monthly cycle.
There are 4 phases to your menstrual cycle: follicular, ovulation, luteal and menstruation. You can learn all about those 4 phases, what happens during each phase & how to track your cycle in this blog post here.
Start tracking your cycle & map out your month.
Once you’ve figured out the start of your last menstrual cycle, notate that on a free period tracker app or in your calendar. This is day 1 of your cycle. This will help you determine what to prioritize during each phase of your cycle.
Follicular
Productivity: Have a notebook handy!
The follicular phase starts on the first day of your period and ends when you ovulate. It will last anywhere from 12-15 days. You should start to feel an increase in energy as your period tapers off. This phase will give you access to the most creative energy in your month, so take advantage of it!
This is a great time to brainstorm, project plan, and jot down those creative ideas. I find this time of the month is when I am most open to pivoting or trying something new. If you work with a team this is a great time to gather your people and put your plans/projects on paper and channel that creative energy.
Ovulation
Socialize! Communicate!
This phase hits about halfway through your cycle, roughly 2 weeks before you get your period. It only lasts 2-3 days and you should feel good energy during this phase! Communication and collaboration is at its highest during this time.
Your combination of hormones causes your brain to be wired in a way that optimizes communication. Use this time to have important conversations, negotiate, do extrovert-related activities. Fill up that social calendar during this time!
Luteal
Details, Tasks & Finish Work!
After ovulation, we enter the luteal phase. It lasts about 10-14 days and your body starts to feel an energy decline as you get closer to menstruation. This is a great time to do your “head down” tasks: administration work, check things off the list, organize, clean out that email inbox, finish projects that you planned from earlier in the month.
Menstration
Rest & Reflect.
The flow phase. The monthly bleed or “time of the month” as we often call it. Energy is at it’s lowest and many feel pulled to turn inward. Keep social commitments and important meetings at a minimum during this time. This is a great time to reflect and assess things in your life. What worked for you over the last month? What didn’t work for you? What needs to be changed? What can you learn from the last 4 weeks?
Summary
- Cycle syncing is a great way to schedule your life around the 4 phases of your menstrual cycle.
- Follicular: brainstorming, planning, creative time.
- Ovulation: socialize, communicate, collaborate.
- Luteal: tasks, organize, check things off the list.
- Menstrual: rest and reflect!
Download my FREE cycle syncing EBOOK here to learn more about how to optimize your fitness, productivity and energy!
Want to learn more about cycle syncing your fitness? Go check out my recent blog post and learn all about how to mindfully move your body throughout the month.
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