As women, we have an internal rhythm that follows the same path every single month. It is known as the infradian rhythm and it is a monthly cycle of hormones that, in a healthy body, is largely consistent. In recent years, it has become more mainstream to have an understanding of this rhythm. And, now, women from all walks of life are taking the time to understand their cycles and learn the ways they can adapt their lifestyle, nutrition and actions to run in line with and support this process. In this guide, we’ll delve into cycle syncing so you can get started with your plan today.
Firstly, let's establish what cycle syncing is. This trackable process is a method used to align factors such as diet and exercise with the strengths linked to each stage of your menstrual cycle. For many of us, in-depth knowledge of our cycle is something we were only taught at a basic level in school. However, having the ability to make these lifestyle choices following these stages allows us to optimise productivity and health consistently.
The term itself was originally trademarked by Alisa Vitta, a Functional Nutritionist and founder of the Flo Living Hormone Centre. Here, she set out to support women in understanding their hormonal shifts and begin maximising this knowledge to their advantage.
Self-awareness is one of the best tools when it comes to improving our overall health. To do this, we need to know what our body is doing at any given time and why. For many years, female athletes have adopted this method to help improve their games. And, now, with the right tools, it is something that every woman can do. Some of the key benefits of cycle syncing include:
Those who have found their rhythm and use cycle synching regularly see significant benefits. They have a wider understanding of why they feel a certain way and know coping mechanisms that can make each stage easier. They can also reduce the risk of injury, plan their schedules to boost productivity and use their cycle to eliminate unwanted hormonal fluctuations.
Whether or not you choose to begin tracking your cycle is an entirely individual choice. It takes some dedication for several months to get a clear understanding of what is happening internally. Equally, if you begin cycle syncing to better understand adverse symptoms and make other lifestyle changes, you may need to wait longer to see the fruits of your labour.
However, in general, gaining a clearer understanding of how your body works will be beneficial to every woman. This all-natural process gives you self-awareness and the ability to combat common ailments such as:
There is also evidence to show that syncing your cycle can help with some of the symptoms of PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome).
To start syncing your cycle, you first need to understand that there are 4 phases in every menstrual cycle:
One of the better-known stages, your menstruation stage is the time when a healthy woman will experience her period. There are low levels of estrogen and progesterone (two of the key female hormones) and the lining of the uterus is shed. This should last anywhere between 3-8 days.
This covers from the first day of menstruation through to when ovulation begins. During this time, the walls of the uterus thicken, there is an increase in estrogen and your ovaries begin to produce the follicles that will house the eggs. It should last anywhere between 11-27 days.
This is the time that your ovary will release a mature egg to be fertilised. It will travel down the fallopian tube, towards the uterus. It is this time, and this time alone, that a woman can fall pregnant. If the egg is not fertilised within 12-24 hours, it will die.
After ovulation, the follicle develops into a cyst known as the corpus luteum. This secretes progesterone and estrogen which causes the uterus lining to thicken. If you have fallen pregnant, these are the ideal conditions to help nourish a fertilised egg. This stage should last between 12-14 days.
With this knowledge, you can begin tracking your cycle. The best way to do this is through one of the many apps available, such as Flo and Clue. To start with, you track signs such as the first and last days of your period. You can also make a note of common side effects like:
Using this data, your app will be able to predict the first days of your period and how long your body stays in each phase of the cycle. You will gain an understanding of when you’re likely to be most fertile, which days you may experience discomfort due to ovulation and whether your symptoms should be checked over by a medical professional.
For those with a keen interest in exercise, these apps can also advise on the best exercises to match your predicted levels of energy and hormone levels. For example, the luteal phase is largely considered the best time to engage in strength-based exercise while ovulation gives you a boost of energy for high-intensity training. With this, you’re less likely to find yourself unfulfilled by a workout class or struggling to get through a pre-planned routine.
Knowing your body on a deeper and more intricate level allows you to get the most out of any activity and every day. At Natural Health 4 Life, we have a host of herbal supplements and natural solutions to help you optimise each phase of your cycle and feel your best. Browse our range here today or get in contact to speak to a member of our team directly.
