The 4 Phases of Your Menstrual Cycle
We all know what the circadian rhythm is… did you know that women also have an infradian rhythm? That is our 28 (ish) day cycle that affects our moods, energy levels, libido, and overall well being! Learning about the phases of your cycle and doing your best to change your behavior with each phase can actually help ease your period symptoms like PMS and period cramps!
Let’s take a look at how you can expect to feel during each phase and how you can get the most out of each one:
Part 1: Menstruation phase.
This is the week of your period. Day 1 = first bleed day, and it lasts until about day 7 (we’re making generalizations here)
Think of your menstrual phase as winter. This is a time to slow down, prioritize self care, and not take on too much.
Normal bleed times are anywhere from 3-8 days. Anything shorter or longer is considered irregular
Think of your period as a chance each month to shed & let go of the old so that you can welcome in the new. You are literally shedding the lining of one of your organs... embrace the release!
The strengths of your menstrual phase:
You become super clear about your purpose. This is a great time to make big life decisions
You may feel more intuitive/connected to your higher source. Dreams may be more vivid, you are open to receive ideas & downloads
Your ability to identify & release things that no longer serve you is heightened.
This is the time to slow down, observe, & feel. Write down the ideas/downloads you receive, but do not act on them yet! That time will come later in your cycle.
Let yourself be emotional, feel, & release. Light stretching, walking, or yoga are best for exercise. Save the spin class for your ovulation phase
Save this post! Next time you are in your menstrual phase, take these steps, then come back & comment on here how it goes for you!
Phase 2: Pre-ovulation! This is ~days 7-13 of your cycle, or the week after your period!
Pre-ovulation is like spring time! You will feel your energy levels & enthusiasm steadily increase during this week.
You will feel up for spending more time with friends or learning a new skill. Words come easy during this phase, it's a great time to give a presentation or make an important call!
The strengths of your pre-ovulation phase:
At this stage you have memory, logic, and reasoning. This helps you to make sense of projects & people fully, you have drive & determination to manifest your ideas
This is a great time to hit up all the high intensity workout classes that you love!
You've got the physical & mental energy to get a lot of work done in this phase, and you're more available for social engagements
Fearlessness, self-confidence, and belief in yourself are all easily accessible in this phase
This is the time to begin implementing all of the downloads you received during your menstrual phase. You’re likely to be less sensitive to criticism, so it’s a great time to start something new.
Use the clarity of pre-ovulation to explore & analyze the downloads you received during menstruation and set intentions for where to take those ideas!
Ovulation phase! Usually days 13-21 of your cycle. Ovulation phase is like summer time!
This is the only time during your cycle when you are able to get pregnant!
During this phase you may feel more nurturing, compassionate, & a lot more passionate!
This is when you usually feel your most social, and if you are able to tune into the creative, productive, expressive energy of this phase, you become a master manifester!
Strengths of your ovulation phase:
You are fully present and captivating in this phase, you command a room easily
You feel as though you can take on the world
Things tend to go your way more often, you will seem "lucky"
You have less doubt in your ability to make all your dreams come true. This is the ideal time to manifest your dream job, ideal clients, a hot date, etc.
This is an ideal time to allow things to happen, everything that you began working on during pre-ovulation, let it all flow during ovulation! No need to force.
You planted the seeds during pre-ovulation, during ovulation is when you let them manifest through you!
It may be tempting to start more new things during this phase, resist that urge! Chances are you won’t have the energy to follow through on them as you enter the 2nd half of your cycle.
You will be more accepting of people during this phase, making it an ideal time to heal conflicts!
You will eat more during this phase, and that is okay! Honor your body’s need for more food for more energy.
Do you feel like superwoman during your ovulation phase? Save this post & come back to it when you’re in it to let me know!
The final phase of your cycle: pre-menstruation! This is the week before your bleed, usually day 23 -> until you start your period
This is when your hormones begin to withdraw. This can cause some anxiety, nervousness, & a decrease in serotonin.
If something is bugging you, it’s REALLY going to bug you during this phase. But it’s not all doom & gloom here! This phase has it’s own power…
In the previous 2 weeks of your cycle, being social & in your outwardly focused, masculine energy was natural. Premenstrual phase is when you retreat back into your feminine power
You switch from doing to being in this phase… where we run into trouble is if we ignore this switch & try to be the “I can do everything” superwoman for the entire month.
The powers of your pre-menstrual phase:
Trust your intuition & inner knowing to guide you in making big life decisions
Your ability to detect B.S. and lies is high
Your intuition/psychic abilities are heightened
You are able to speak your truth and own your power
You are more able to spot problems in work, relationships, & life in general, & you know what needs to be done to fix them!
When you learn to hone in on the power of this phase, you become a truth-seeking, no bullshit, master of speaking your truth... but if your power isn't tuned into correctly, it can come out as pain, anger, or perceived craziness. (We’ve all been there)
This phase is an opportunity for spiritual insight, straight talk, & truth speaking. If it doesn't feel right in your heart & body during this phase, don't do it
If you feel overwhelmed in this phase, it may be because you are pushing yourself to “do” too much & not “be” enough. This phase is a time to go internal, ask yourself what you need to be nourished & cared for.
Want to learn even more about your infradian rhythm, learn what essential oils can help balance your hormones, and the best diet for a healthy period? Join my online class 30 Days to Healthy Hormones! We dive deep into all those subjects & so much more. CLICK HERE for more info!