Cycle Syncing Series: Introduction

**Disclaimer: I am not a trained professional on this topic. This is just what I have started implementing into my life after much research that was done on my own.**

Recently, I have been exploring the path of cycle syncing. For those of you who don't know what that is, it's basically matching your lifestyle to your menstrual cycle. As women, I feel like we are taught very little about our own bodies and how they work. With recent events, I have been more inclined to discovering more about my body and start honoring it for its abilities and needs. Hopefully leading to relying less on patriarchal views and wants for my body and aligning it to its greatest potential.

I am starting a series that goes through all the phases of the menstrual cycle and what your body needs during each phase. This first article of the series is just an overview of what cycle syncing is in a nutshell. It's time that women get back to the ways of our ancestors of relying on other women and the understanding of our own bodies to determine what we need instead of trusting in a system that was designed by and for men.

Many women aren't aware that our hormonal cycle is made up of 4 phases. I, for one, used to think that I had my period each month and that was the only thing I was aware of. We all know that women have a 28 day hormonal cycle, but what that comprises of has been long lost.

The first phase of our hormonal cycle is all our favorite, Aunt Flow. The Menstrual Phase if we want to keep it professional. If it's not obvious enough this phase is when you're on your period and lasts from Day 1 of your cycle to Day 6ish. Every women is different so every cycle is naturally different and this all comes down to tracking. All the phases of your cycle can be aligned with a season and this would be considered the winter phase of your cycle, for obvious reasons.

The second phase is your Follicular Phase, or if you like the concept of the seasons, your inner spring. This begins the first day after your period and tends to last to Day 14ish. Again, every cycle is different so you need to track.

The third phase is the Ovulation Phase, or inner summertime. This is when your body is most fertile and you will be feeling your most promiscuous. This last from the end of your follicular phase and lasts to day 21ish.

The final stage of your hormonal cycle before you loop back to your period is the Luteal Phase, or inner autumn. This is the stage right after ovulation until your period returns.

I am starting this series with the first phase of the female hormonal cycle which is menstruation. I will break down each phase and talk about what to eat, how to exercise, and just what your body needs during these times. Syncing your lifestyle to your cycle has had proven benefits and since I recently started researching and doing these things in my life, I feel a lot less controlled by my hormones and more empowered by them.

This series is just an overview, so here are some books on this topic that really dive in and help with a full understanding of cycle syncing:

Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler, MPH is the ultimate guide to fertility health and I think it should be a staple in everyone's household.

In the Flo by Alisa Vitti is your total guide to cycle syncing as a whole.

Woman Code also by Alisa Vitti has everything you need to know about lifestyle that empowers your hormonal cycle to feel your best.

Stay posted for the first phase overview coming soon.