Women have approximately 450menstrual cyclesin their lifetime.
You’d probably want to learn how to work with your cycle instead of against it right?
Phase 1 Menstrual Phase
The first day of bleeding is considered day one of your menstrual cycle.
Often, a period lasts between 3 and 7 days.
You may want to rest more than you usually do, or even take a day off.
Action steps
Clear your calendar of big social and dating events and make a date with yourself.
A hotEpsom salt bathis a great place to start.
Trywriting in a journal and reflectingon the events of the past month.
This creates awareness and allows you to set intentions for the month ahead.
If your energy is on the low side, limit exercise to gentle movement and stretching likeyogaand walking.
Phase 2 The Follicular Phase
This phase follows just after menstruation.
FYI these follicles contain your eggs.
Estrogen and testosterone start to rise during this phase.
This will bring you a boost of energy, and can oftenimprove your mood, too.
You may even feel more assertive and willing to take risks.
Testosterone stimulates your libido while estrogen makes you feel more extroverted and suppresses your appetite.
This is a time when you may feel a wide variety of feelings related to self-sufficiency.
Brainstorming and problem solving will be major strengths during this phase so initiate new projects and make big decisions.
An egg gets released from its follicle in your ovary and will survive for 12-24 hours.
Estrogen and testosterone rise to peak levels, boosting the effects of the follicular phase.
Plus, your sex drive will be at its highest.
This is a great time for job interviews, networking events and public speaking.
Schedule adate nightwith your current beau or ask someone out!
Energy levels are highest in this phase so continue to enjoy lots of physical activity.
That changes when estrogen and testosterone decline and your body starts producingprogesterone.
Since progesterone is an anti-anxiety hormone, so you will find yourself beginning to wind down.
Now is a good time for nesting, chores and taking care of your to-do lists.
The second half of this phase, however, is notoriously difficult for many women.
These symptoms are not all in your head but they aren’t something you should suffer through either.
Practice good self-care during the week before your period and you’ll likely notice less PMS.
Takingmagnesium supplementscan also be helpful in reducing headaches and muscle tension.
