POWER OF MENSTRUATION

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The menstrual cycle is much more than just the presence or absence of your monthly blood. It is a powerful monthly reminder of your health and strength! So it should be celebrated and appreciated, quite contrary to what we practice, right?

For generations, we have been made to feel ashamed and embarrassed about their periods. We have been made to believe that their periods are a “curse” and that they just have to endure the pain and discomfort without any hope of respite.

But it isn’t and doesn’t have to be this way! It’s time for the narrative to change and for us to be empowered and celebrated for the miraculous thing our bodies do every month.

The menstrual cycle is a natural gift to the female body, with four unique hormonal phases, just like the four seasons. Each phase comes with its own unique essence and energy, from the zeal and fertility of the spring to the inertia and introspection of the winter.

The menstrual cycle connects you with your inner divine power and serves as a gentle reminder of the inspiring bond between you and nature. This blessing, nonetheless, is limited in number, and you’ll have roughly 450 cycles in your life. And once you learn how to ride the ebbs and flows of hormonal changes throughout each phase and how to channel its power, there’s no way you’ll miss out on tracking and cherishing your every upcoming menstrual cycle.

So let’s begin

You may think, how can menstruation be a treasure when it often feels so uncomfortable? There’s no denying that some parts of your menstrual cycle can make you feel terrible. Cramps, headaches, bloating, and fatigue can overwhelm certain days of the month. But, though finding the silver lining in our periods can be tricky, they are a testament to the power of regeneration and healing that our bodies are capable of every month.

Following and understanding the monthly changes your body goes through and the emotions you may undergo gives you a greater sense of body literacy. This understanding provides a framework to observe and notice your own menstrual cycle changes and needs. Uncovering your monthly patterns allows you to be more in tune with your bodies and helps you to plan ahead and prepare for the different –and challenging– times of your cycles.

Menstrual Literacy can be a powerful tool for women and a source of self-confidence and awareness, allowing you to make better decisions regarding your physical and mental health. Knowing more about your menstrual cycle enables you to take charge of your own health and well-being, providing you with a greater sense of control and empowerment.

The gift of four hormonal seasons

Your menstrual cycle is made up of different phases. Just like the four seasons in a year, you go through four distinctive hormonal shifts that make up the phases of your cycle:

  • Menstrual –Inner Winter
  • Follicular –Inner Spring
  • Ovulatory – Inner Summer
  • Luteal –Inner autumn

As each season brings something new, so too do the phases of your cycle. Each phase emerges with a range of changes to your mind and body. As you learn to be more comfortable with these inner seasons, you’ll have more control, feel more productive and be able to balance your hormones. 

The hormonal shifts influence our brain chemistry, mood, energy, creativity, and how social we feel –pretty much everything! Because of these shifts, we naturally become more equipped to take on certain tasks during each phase of our cycle.

If you become aware of these hormonal –and talent– shifts, you can use this information to your benefit and harness your menstrual superpowers.

This newfound knowledge can help to reduce stress, increase productivity, and enhance your appreciation for the amazing body you inhabit. With the proper understanding and mindset, you can use your menstrual power to create a more balanced, fulfilling life.

So let’s explore the superpower of each season

Our cycle is divided into four hormonal or inner seasons with each giving us different superpowers, as well as challenges.

Menstrual Phase, Inner Winter, time to "dream"

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The menstrual phase is what you know as your period. The onset of your bleeding counts as Day One and lasts –on average– anywhere from three to seven days. At this phase, you are at the lowest hormonal level of your cycle. As a result, your body is shedding the uterine lining in response to this significant hormone decrease, accompanied by fatigue and cramps! Your menstrual cycle is a time for stillness and withdrawal, for listening and reflecting. Think of it like winter for a cherry tree, a time for dropping the leaves and resting in preparation for the coming spring. Instead of feeling frustrated by this phase, you can use it to set intention for the upcoming month and gain insight into situations in your life or business. During this phase, take time to rest and plan in rhythm with your hormones –it feels good to do so! Allow yourself to enjoy warming foods and do some gentle stretching, walking, or yoga. Not only is this necessary for your body, but also for your soul –there is no duality there anyway! Acknowledge that your cycle is purposeful and clever by design, so use it to celebrate your powerful and intuitive nature.

Follicular Phase, Inner Spring, time to "do"

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From the end of your bleeding until you ovulate, around Day Fourteen, you are in the follicular phase. From the end of your bleeding until you ovulate, around Day Fourteen, you are in the follicular phase. Perceive your follicular phase as the blossoming season of a cherry tree, full of beauty and potential. During this phase, your reproductive hormones –particularly estrogen– begin to rise in preparation for ovulation. You might notice higher energy levels and glowing skin! Your libido may increase too! It's common to feel optimistic and energized, so now is a great time for socializing, exercising, or trying new things. Taking advantage of the newfound energy can help to make the most of this creative, energizing, and positive phase.

Ovulatory Phase, Inner Summer, time to "give"

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The ovulatory phase is your incredible inner season of growth and vitality. At ovulation, you experience your body's most empowering moment. You feel bursting with confidence, ready to face any challenge that comes your way. You're an unstoppable force of nature and your sexiest self. Much like the lush cherry trees of summer, this stage is filled with the potential of new life. Your body is full of energy that propels you to take action and be your most confident self. Your hormones are peaking and you're primed for baby-making — or just feeling energetic and spontaneous. Your skin is glowing even more, your mood is light, you feel both powerful and sexy, and your days are filled with positivity. Now is the time to take charge and seize life's most adventurous moments. Whether it be a presentation, a meeting, a launch — or simply a night out with friends — it's the perfect moment to make your mark. The ovulatory phase is a reminder of your body's strength and resilience, and regenerative power. This phase is a great time to schedule speeches, presentations, or big events for your work, because you are ready to conquer the world!

Luteal Phase, Inner Autumn, time to "take"

MOUSE OVER TO FIND OUT MORE!
The luteal phase of your menstrual cycle is like autumn's cozy days. Like the beautiful cherry tree in autumn, when the vibrant leaves begin to turn, your body is also transitioning into its clement season. During this phase, your hormones shift to a state of rest and relaxation so that you can prepare for the winter. As the winds of change blow, you may find the first part of your luteal phase is best for organizing and tidying up your life. This is a perfect time for your intuitive yet critical eye to take a closer look at the details and ensure everything is in order. As the autumn days progress, you may experience the sometimes uncomfortable symptoms of PMS, such as bloating and cramps. But this doesn't have to be the norm. Listen to your body and give it the nourishment it needs so that you can enjoy pain-free periods. Enjoy this time as a unique superpower to get things done, as you look inward and relax in anticipation of winter.

Power of cycle tracking

Knowledge is power
It’s true. Not all periods are created equal – that’s why it’s so important to understand how tracking your cycle can tell you more about yourself than you might imagine. But, what exactly is “period tracking?” Simply put, period tracking is a way of keeping a record and documenting when you are menstruating and experiencing symptoms related to your cycle. It can be an invaluable tool for gaining knowledge about one’s own health and wellness. By recording details about your menstrual cycle, you are gaining access to your own personal health on ALL levels – hormonally, physically, mentally, and even socially! This can provide insight into how your body and mind work, making you more aware of their natural rhythms and empowering you to make informed decisions about your well-being.

Why Cycle Tracking matters
So, why exactly does cycle tracking matter? Well, for starters, it can help you better understand your unique cycle pattern. Since the average cycle length is between 28-35 days, most cycle tracking apps available are based on this number. However, by knowing your own cycle pattern you may quickly notice that your “normal” is quite different than these numbers and thus allow you to be more in control. Maybe that means you can better plan vacations, or even something just as simple as knowing to avoid those white pants until after your period arrives!

Your period is also a direct indicator of your overall health. A regularly occurring period means that your body is working as it should. If you are able to properly track your period, you will quickly pick up any irregular patterns and details about your body. The key is to keep a log of your symptoms, moods, energy, etc., as well so you can easily detect any irregularities you may have and be better prepared to discuss them with your healthcare provider.

Developing a greater understanding of your own hormonal changes could help you identify when you are optimized to tackle tasks and set goals.

Knowing more about your cycle may also be useful when looking at fertility. Your period is unique to you and tracking it can help you understand and better predict when you are ovulating so that you know what your chances of conceiving are. It can also help you and your healthcare provider better understand your body if there are any fertility issues.

How to track your cycle

  • What to measure/record
    When tracking your menstrual cycle the first thing you need to record is day one of bleeding each month. In addition, you will want to keep a log of things like your period length, period heaviness, mood, energy levels, sexual drive, and any symptoms you may have (i.e., headaches, backaches, cramps, etc.) Doing this will keep you from becoming blindsided by your body’s reaction to menstruation and will allow you to move through life a lot more freely and in control. Empowerment!

  • Tracking Methods
    With modern technology on the rise, tracking your period can be so easy! Online trackers or smart phone apps are not only easily accessible, but they can help you keep track and keep up with every detail of your menstrual cycle on the go. And, there’s even a method for those of you who are not so tech savvy or who just prefer to do things the old fashion way. You can simply write down the start of your period on a calendar or use a paper and pen to log your cycle details.
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