Exploring the seasons of your cycle (Part 2 / 5)
In this 5-part series, we break down the different phases of the menstrual cycle and explore the role played by your hormones.
You may already be familiar with how the circadian rhythm affects your energy levels during the day. Are you also aware of how your hormones affect key bodily functions such as your metabolism, reproduction, mood and sleep cycles? For insight into where the Menstrual Phase fits into your overall cycle, please refer to our earlier post on the topic: Part 1.
Winter (Menstrual Phase)
Winter starts a couple of days before the first day of your period and marks the beginning of your cycle. Winter is a time for you to nurture yourself, prioritise self-care, and ultimately rest and repair. This is when your oestrogen and progesterone levels are at their lowest and this may manifest as extreme fatigue, anxiety, tearfulness. In order to prepare for this season, you should know roughly when you are due for your period and make sure you have created space in your schedule for that time. Even if you can’t get away with doing absolutely nothing, planning some ‘downtime’ will still be beneficial. Taking a break from exercising or going for gentler forms such as light cardio, yoga or walking can help you to conserve energy.
In the later stages of your period or Winter, your oestrogen levels start to increase. You might notice your energy levels lifting and that you feel more upbeat. Winter presents a great opportunity for general reflection, including looking back at your menstrual cycle notes and comparing them to previous cycles for similarities and differences.
Some top tips for Winter:
Make sure you are stocked up with food and meals. Batch cooking and freezing meals in your Autumn is a good way to prep for when you don’t feel up to it in Winter.
Relax in a luxuriously warm scented bubble bath.
Burn some scented candles, read a book and turn off your devices. Escape from the pressures of the world to focus on yourself.
In the remaining parts of this series, we delve deeper into the different seasons and what you can expect from each of them.
You can find out more about the menstrual cycle, including tips and tools for tracking and getting familiar with your natural rhythm in our period journal Girlhood: The Story for girls aged 8 - 14 and our health and wellbeing journal for adults Sisterhood: The Journal.
