Four Seasons Of The Menstrual Cycle
We already know how to prepare for different seasons outdoors. In the summer, we tend to do high-energy activities like surfing, hiking, and exploring. In the winter, there are days when you would rather watch the storms go by with a hot cup of tea from the comfort of your bed. Sounds completely natural and normal, right?
So how come, we can accept the natural cycles of nature, but fail to recognise the seasons within ourselves? If you have a womb, it means that your body goes through a hormonal cycle every month, very much like the weather going through a cycle every year. We are inviting you to explore our internal seasons together and to release your full potential.
The menstrual cycle occurs when the body releases certain hormones in order to prepare for a potential pregnancy. The average cycle is 28 days, however, it could vary from 21 days to 40 days for some people. The first day of the cycle is the day when you start bleeding, and we are going to refer to this phase as winter.
WINTER – MENSTRUATION
This is the time of your period. The uterus wall lining is breaking down because it’s no longer needed as pregnancy did not occur. Have you ever pampered up the guest room expecting someone’s arrival but had to take it down when they cancelled? This is initially what your body does every month preparing to host a potential baby.
As your body is letting go of the possibility of creating life, all hormones become flat, and it’s the perfect time for rest. If you like reading books by candlelight or binging Netflix with a bowl of snacks – this is your time to shine.
And remember, there is no need to feel guilty for not ‘achieving’ something or being super productive – your body needs rest to restore and energise for what’s to come next.
This is the perfect time for gentle activities like walking and stretching. Make sure to be well hydrated and eat foods rich in iron and minerals so your body can restore what it’s lost while bleeding.
SPRING – FOLLICULAR PHASE
After a harsh winter, here comes the spring. Your body is preparing the egg to be released from one of the ovaries, and increased oestrogen levels (this hormone prepares the lining of your uterus walls) can cause a shift in energy levels.
This is the perfect time for endurance activities or that difficult hike you’ve been dreaming about. This is also the time when you’re full of ideas, inspiration, and initiation.
Top tip – have a notebook or something by your side at all times during this week so you can write down all the amazing things you come up with.
This is the perfect time for vibrant and fresh food, like fruits and vegetables. So, if you had a pizza late at night last week, it’s ok because this week is for restoration!
SUMMER – OVULATORY PHASE
The ovulatory phase begins when an egg is released from the fallopian tubes and starts its journey to the uterus. Sounds like a great adventure, doesn’t it?
This is when confidence soars, and the sky is the limit. Did you have a hot date in mind or wanted to pitch a new idea at work? This is your go time. If this is somewhat predictable, why not prepare and give yourself a head start.
This is going to be your most optimistic and social week of the month. We’ll tell you another little secret – this is when orgasms are most intense and attainable. So, how was that date night?
FALL – LUTEAL PHASE
This is when progesterone is king, and your uterus prepares to receive a fertilised egg and maintain its nutrition. During the luteal phase, your entire metabolism speeds up, so your body naturally craves more food. It’s the perfect time to eat healthy and nutritious meals, as progesterone can cause bloating.
This is also the perfect time for life admin. You still have quite a bit of energy left, but you’re slowing down in possible preparation for your period – or internal winter. Have you been postponing doing that pile of laundry or answering the ever-growing list of unread emails? This is the time to do it.
What dose this all mean?
Now, don’t get me wrong. We understand it’s not possible to schedule your entire life around your hormone cycles. The entire world is not in sync with your personal cycle. However, it’s an invaluable tool to be able to listen to your body and act accordingly to maximise your full potential. Just try observing at least one of your cycles and wait for the magic to happen.
Wouldn’t it be silly to call winter weather too dramatic simply because it’s windy and cold when it’s supposed to be? So, let’s stop calling people ‘too much’, ‘moody’ or dismissing certain reactions as ‘oh, it’s that time of the month’ because it’s a natural order of hormones! It’s not a weakness, it’s an absolute superpower once understood and recognised properly.
Periods and menstrual cycles are still a bit of a hush-hush topic. But there are around 300 million people around the world going through the same phase at any given time. In some cultures, it was believed that menstrual blood has magical powers, in others – that it causes natural disasters. Let’s put the mystery aside and educate ourselves and the people around us.
Imagine a world where period awareness is a normal topic to be discussed in a workplace. Where a condom on a banana is not the only education we remember from school. Or where you don’t have to ‘power through’ during the worst days as you’re able to take period leave from work (some countries, like Japan and South Korea, are introducing this!). It’s time to act according to your own season.
We hope you enjoyed this post, and if you’re interested in how to combine your workout routine with your menstrual cycle, check out our next article!
