Three years ago, I got more in tune with my cycle. By tracking phases, educating myself, and reflecting regularly, I feel more aligned with my “Goddess” energy and spiritual wellness.
The more I get curious about my shifting hormones, rather than ignoring them, the more embodied and alive I feel. I approach projects and opportunities more intelligently and find ways to support my natural flow.
“So many of us are completely divorced from our menstrual cycles. We do not pay attention to our rhythms and their change,” writes Dr. Stephanie Estima, a chiropractic doctor and author of “The Betty Body.”
Estima says menstrual cycle health is just as important as good sleep, foundational to creating a “Betty Body.” She offers a “Geeky Goddess’ Guide to Intuitive Eating, Balanced Hormones, and Transformative Sex.”
Her book outlines ways for menstruating bodies to increase energy, reduce stress, and nourish our unique biologies. I felt inspired by her description of a Betty:
“A modern-day queen, associated with increased levels of self-worth because she continues to create it. She has the power and agency to be irresistibly sexy and feminine. A Betty is educated, deep, witty, and young-hearted. She is the whole package, balanced, complex, open-minded, and flawed,” writes Estima.
When I began deep inner work three years ago, I soon realized how integrated my physical health and spirituality are. Getting into my yoga or creative sessions feels tough if my body is unbalanced or sleep-deprived. Treating my body with love and compassion strengthens my capacity for consciousness. A healthy outer world supports a flourishing inner world.
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Since paying more attention to my menstrual health, I’ve completely reframed my perspectives about periods and shifting hormones. I stopped using birth control and started tracking my cycle with the “Natural Cycles” app. Over the last year, I’ve been incorporating more hormone-positive expert insights.
Multiple gynecologists told me skipping my period for six months at a time wasn’t a big deal. However, as I began reading books like “Period Power” by menstrual expert Maise Hill, I quickly realized how essential it is to have regulated hormones. I had been overdoing it for years, and my body sent me distress signals.
Since tracking my cycle more thoroughly and finding ways to relax, my hormonal patterns have become far more balanced. Now, the challenges I experience are more nuanced, like the smaller stones. Here are a few “big stone” takeaways from my cycle health journey:
1. Our cycles deserve way more attention. For people who menstruate, the process has a huge impact on our daily existence. Our hormone levels impact things like our energy, focus capacity, project strengths, relational interests, and dietary needs. As Estima says, “We’re not little men with more hormones,” the way modern medicine often treats menstruating bodies.
2. Hormonal cycles have four distinct phases with differing strengths. We’re not just “bleeding or not bleeding.” When we menstruate, it’s time to rest and reflect. Then, we move into the follicular phase where we can expand and welcome new ideas and opportunities. Follicular builds up to ovulation, and we’re often hormonally empowered to lean into larger projects.
After ovulation, we’re back in luteal where the calming hormones make slowing down and decluttering feel more natural. The “Period Power” book offers a clear breakdown of strengths and opportunities in each phase.
3. We can always make adjustments to support shifting hormones. I’ve taken many practical steps to feel nurtured during different phases. For example, I like to stock my groceries before my period. I often schedule events and meetings based on my cycle, i.e., making fewer commitments during my luteal time or rescheduling appointments that land during menstruation. Also, I’d rather go on first dates during follicular or try intense workouts near ovulation. Small changes can make a big impact.
4. Honoring hormonal cycles feels like an opportunity to embrace divine femininity. I’ve often seen the feminine described as surrendering, receiving, allowing, softening, loving, enjoying, and creating. I used to push myself to work through periods, frustrated by the inconvenience. Now, I’m practicing creating space for rest and nurturing my sacred rhythms. Nothing in nature blooms all year long, and neither do we.
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If you want to tune in more with your cycle, you can start by tracking your phases and getting curious. Hill suggests many questions for cycle reflection; here are a few:
- What feels easy today? What feels difficult?
- What are my needs (physically, emotionally, practically, spiritually)?
- How can I support myself today or ask for help?
- Am I being kind to myself? If not, why not?
- What are my natural talents in each phase? How can I elevate them or make them seen and heard by others?
“It is in the understanding of the ebbs and flows of our hormonal landscape which makes us uniquely female. That understanding will empower your intuition and give you the ability to take care of your body in a way that aligns with your needs,” writes Estima.
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I wrote more about my path to loving my period in “How I’m Transforming Period Shame Into My New Superpower.” The article includes more period-positive messaging from Hill, ways to unravel patriarchal cycle conditioning, more details about common cycle patterns, and ideas for embracing our unique hormonal rhythms.
Photo Credit: Unsplash, Tania Medina
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I publish inspiring, empowering content on self-actualization topics once a week. I include insights from personal experience, research, expert advice, and others’ stories. I use my professional journalism and research background to keep posts concise, empathic, and trustworthy.
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