Cycle syncing is the practice of shaping your routines, lifestyle habits, and health around the four phases of your menstrual cycle. For instance, you might alter your workout routine, nourishment, social activities, and even your sex life to match these monthly hormonal changes. The four phases in a woman’s cycle reflect the four seasons and the moon phases, our bodies are connected to the rhythm of the planet. How neat is that? Modern day medicine has failed many of us, and it is time we take our health back into our own hands. This is just my story, but I know millions of women out there will agree that we are done being controlled by artificial chemicals and by society. We are divine goddesses, time to step back into our power and balance our physical, mental, and spiritual bodies
the back story
Since I turned 18, I felt pushed into the direction of birth control with very little guidance or awareness of the side effects. After about two months on one version of the pill, I started to feel depressed, anxious, and even out of my body. Instead of teaching me how to live with my cycle, my doctor just put me on another pill. After about a month, the same effects started to occur. Feeling lost and hopeless, I expressed my concerns to my gynecologist, which she brushed under the rug. She scheduled for me to have an IUD insertion. I was young and didn’t know much about it, but agreed because aren’t we all supposed to trust our doctors? The IUD brought on years of problems which included hormonal issues, yeast infections, severe ovarian pain, constant spotting, all which were told “normal,” according to the medical field.
educate yourself
I ended up doing my own research and educating myself on my own body, something that was never taught to me in any school system. Society doesn’t want us to permanently solve the problem, instead we get addicted to the temporary solutions that allow big pharmaceutical companies to profit trillions. There are several reasons women go on birth control whether it is to prevent pregnancies or to regulate their periods. What if I were to tell you there was a natural way to fix this. Our bodies are not meant to make us feel like hell on earth. When we work with them and love them, we become in sync with the vibrations of the planet and can naturally rid ourselves of pain and sickness.
Cycle syncing shows us how we can move our bodies to heal. How we can connect with the earth or eat certain plants that will reduce symptoms. Instead of telling a teenager to pop a pill, why not teach her that you can only get pregnant 3-5 days out of the month? Why don’t you help her understand her body, love her cycle, and appreciate her period? Your should not be having irregular menstruations or unbearable cramping. Take a look at your lifestyle choices first before trusting western medicine. Many cultures emphasize how women are incredibly spiritual beings and how sacred bleeding is, yet in modern day it is seen as despicable.
how to track these four phases accurately
Being in my 20s, my main priority was getting on non-hormonal birth control. There aren’t many great options out there : copper IUD (no thanks, ew ), condom (no one likes these, especially with a long term partner), female condom (ew, seriously what is that?). Until I stumbled upon an app called Natural Cycles (this post isn’t sponsored, but it should be). This FDA approved form of birth control app helped me to track, understand, and appreciate my cycle. Your cycle is tracked by inputting some data daily of the following:
- your basal temperature every morning
- cervical mucus consistency
- LH tests
- moods/pain/symptoms etc…
The science behind it is that as your basal temperature increases, so do different hormones associated with different parts of your cycle. The spike in temperature means that you are ovulating. But let’s dive into what the four phases are, more on the technical stuff here.
phase 1: menstruation (winter/new moon)
The first day of your period starts the menstruation phase, seen as the new moon or winter. Since the lining of the uterus sheds, this can causes us to have cramping and fatigue. Some woman have grown so far apart from their periods that they tend to despise her. Truly embracing, feeling, and nurturing your period can be a beautiful and sacred practice when learning about cycle syncing.
Biologically, periods would seem like a waste of nutrients and a physical inconvenience to most species. Unlike most animals, human fetuses have direct and unrestricted access to the bloodstream which can increase mom’s blood sugar and pressure. Therefore, if the fetus dies, the mom is in danger, so the body screens which embryos are worth the risk. By getting rid of the lining monthly, the body gets rid of any sick embryos and reduces the risk of infection. Can you believe that your body does all this for you, and yet society shows us that periods are “gross.”
Rest, Nourish, Journal
| advice | -spend some time alone -sit with your intuition -may receive downloads and clarity |
| movement | rest, walk, yoga, stretching |
| foods | -lentils, black beans, tofu (high iron foods) -dark, leafy greens (may help relieve PMS symptoms) -comfort foods (warm, hearty soups) -kale, beets, mushrooms -sea veggies (seaweed, dulse) -root veggies -B vitamins (nutritional yeast or supplements) -extra hydration!!! |
| seed cycling | pumpkin & flax |
| cervical fluid | dry |
phase 2: follicular (spring)
The second phase of learning about cycle syncing is the follicular aka spring time! Here, estrogen begins to gradually increase because the ovaries are growing a follicle that will become an egg cell. This can cause your sex drive to increase and your energy to be more uplifting.
Create, Renew, Visualize
| advice | -mind is sharp -time to make plans and meetings -following through with projects |
| movement | HITT, strength training, running |
| foods | -less hungry -raw foods that metabolize estrogen -sprouted & fermented (broccoli sprouts, kimchi, sauerkraut) -healthy fats -vitamin C |
| seed cycling | pumpkin & flax |
| cervical fluid | sticky (non-fertile) in beginning of phase and then creamy in later stages of phase (semi-fertile) |
phase 3: ovulation (summer/full moon)
Phase 3 of cycle syncing is ovulation. We made it to the peak!! Ovulation is your full moon and summer time! The egg has formed and is now ready to release. Progesterone is high which causes the spike in your basal temperature.
Create, Express, Connect
| advice | -lots of energy and high sex drive -socialize, communicate, network, negotiate & have fun |
| movement | HITT, strength training, intense sprints/ running |
| foods | -high fiber foods -leafy greens -high magnesium foods -dark chocolate |
| seed cycling | sesame & sunflower |
| cervical fluid | long, sticky mucus |
phase four: luteal (fall)
Finally, fall is approaching and that means it’s time to get ready and cozy for the coming cold winter months. Fall is when mama Gaia rests and starts to slow down, so allow your body to do the same. Your body is preparing for a potential fertilized egg, but it soon sheds the lining when the egg makes its way down the tube and doesn’t develop.
Reflect & Listen Deeply
| advice | time to finish projects / wrap things up |
| movement | yoga, pilates, walking |
| foods | -rich in iron & zinc -complex carbs -magnesium -grounding foods (sweet potatoes, pumpkins) |
| seed cycling | sesame & sunflower |
| cervical fluid | dry |
final words
Learning to become in-tune with your body and the earth is such a beautiful practice. We are born into a society where the divine feminine is seen as inferior. Spending some time to develop self love, care and appreciation for this incarnation will reflect in your outer world as well. Someone who has truly taken the time to learn and love themselves will be much happier and create a life of peace and abundance. Cycle syncing is one of the first steps that lead me on to this journey and I hope she becomes apart of yours as well.
much love, peace & vibez 2 u & all beings everywhere
-EC <3