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We are taking a deep dive into womanhood today to talk all about menstrual cycles and how they affect our sex life, productivity, and our mood. I’ve spent a ton of time researching about all the things on this topic and what I found blew my mind. It’s the stuff that every single girl needs to know about their period so that you can sync your cycle and function at your best all month long.
Quick disclaimer…this is not medical advice. Everything I’m sharing is just what I’ve learned through my own personal experience and research, and the years of getting to know my body and cycle better. I used to really struggle in this area but knowing this information really changed my life including my productivity, my mood, and even my sex life. What I’m sharing here won’t be the same for everyone but I think you’ll find a few helpful tips that you can apply to your own life.
Okay so we’re going to compare your monthly cycle to seasons of the year… Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, and for sake of simplicity, we’ll look at this as a 4 week, or 28 day cycle, since that’s the average. So you’ve got 4 weeks and 4 seasons. We’ll say each season or phase of your cycle is about 1 week long.
Winter (Menstruation)
The Winter portion of your cycle starts on the first day you get your period. When you think about Winter, you probably think comfy, cozy feelings. Maybe you feel a little withdrawn, not wanting to be around a lot of people. You’re spending most of your time at home and not out and about. The first part of our cycle is often just like that!
When it comes to productivity in Winter, your brain may feel a little foggy. This is a good time to slowly and gently be intentional with your thoughts. This part of your cycle/season is all about giving yourself a lot of grace! You can start thinking about and planning projects and goals, spend time journaling…all while wrapped up in a blanket if you need too!
This season may also leave you feeling withdrawn within your sex life. But having sex might actually help you feel really cozy and connected with your partner. Maybe consider combining a warm shower with sex!
Winter also brings about all the warm, comforting foods and during this part of your cycle, your body temperature is at the coldest so think of warm soups and then lots of greens and lean proteins to help you function and feel your best.
Spring (Follicular phase)
The Spring season comes when you’ve finished bleeding. We compare it to Spring because it brings about these feelings of joy and energy, optimism and anticipation of good things to come. Those feelings also bring about a spike in productivity. This is the time where you’re feeling more creative. You’re crushing it in #allthethings. This is a good time to plan meetings, interviews, outings with your husband and friends. If you’re a content creator, blogger, photographer, etc., this is a good time to plan out and map content.
Sex in this season? Bring it on! This season reminds me of the Garden of Eden…nature, new life and the goodness that God intended between Adam and Eve, man and woman, husband and wife. You’re feeling good and confident and ready to connect with your man.
Summer (Ovulation)
Summer is the 3rd week of our cycle and it brings about all the happy feels of Summer. It’s the best time of the year! It’s warm, the sun is shining and everything is happy. It’s a great time to be outside and around people with the sun kissing your skin. Your mood is at its peak during this season.
As for productivity, this is the time to hone in and focus. Get it, girl! You’re feeling like you can take on anything. For me personally, this is a great time for content creating, coaching, and batching work for the podcast.
When it comes to your sex life, all I can think of is skinny dipping LOL! It’s time go after it. It’s those butterflies in your stomach kind of moments and long, slow kiss under the stars in this season.
With the heat of the summer, this is also the time in your cycle when your basal body temperature goes up. Cold foods like fruit and salads are your best friend.
Fall (Luteal phase)
When you think of the Fall season, you start to get back into that cozy mindset. For some people, this is their prime productivity time, almost like when a pregnant mama is nesting and anticipating what’s to come. For me personally, I tend to get a little foggy-brained during this time and my hormones start ramping up which affects my ability to focus. Sometimes I experience headaches. I typically spend this time gently pouring into my personal growth, getting deep in the Word, and listening to podcasts during long showers.
My mood at this time is seriously affected by my hormones. I’m crying and emotional. But, now that I know more about my cycle, I can identify those emotions and I’m not always searching for the deeper root of why I’m feeling what I’m feeling. This is a time when I just completely release and let the tears flow.
When it comes to your sex life in this season, you may or may not be game. I’ve noticed that if I come out of my shell and connect with my hubs in this way, I always end up feeling really connected, lovey dovey, and attached.
Everything that I’ve learned about syncing your cycle, I’ve shared with my husband and it has had so many benefits! He can support me better emotionally and he doesn’t have to worry when I’m crying during the Fall season. It’s also beneficial for our sex life. He knows how to best approach me in each of these seasons. This would be a great episode for your husband to listen to if he’s up for it!
The world associates periods with pain and negativity, but the truth is our bodies are amazing and capable of carrying tiny miracles! And when we understand our period and how our hormones work, we can really use our monthly cycle to our advantage when it comes to designing our life and our schedule around our work, marriage, family and other commitments! It can help us to function at our best and in our zone of genius all month long!
