How to Cycle Sync with Your Work for Increased Productivity
Working from a place of grace, not hustle, couldn’t be more imperative for women.
It’s becoming more apparent. Women just don’t operate on the same productivity timeline as men. That’s because we have a “second clock” – the infradian rhythm. Pushing past the body's limits, especially if we are grasping for straws, isn’t sustainable for anyone, let alone us ladies. We need to create a sustainable way of living.
To do this, we need to work in tandem with our infradian rhythm. Let’s unpack that a little, shall we?
What we’ve covered up to this point –
This post is the final part to cycle syncing. I am sharing with you how to cycle sync your work – aka productivity – with your cycle. It should be noted here that there is evidence that hormonal fluctuations impact our mood as well as how we think and manage things. Yet another reason why tuning in to our cycle is important to learn why you feel different throughout your cycle and how you can support your body better.
Studying functional and structural brain organization across the menstrual cycle represents a feasible approach to address the question whether sex hormones can influence functional and structural connectivity (Barth, Villringer, & Sacher, 2015).
So working in tandem with your cycle with work will improve your energy and ability to focus and reduce stress. Here’s the thing – our bodies were designed to encounter and manage stress, but not the chronic stress which is rampant this day and age. Think about it this way, when you are trying to push past exhaustion and lack of focus to knock out items on your to-do list, you put stress on your body. During this moment, your body is begging you to modify your tasks and the way you approach your schedule, but instead of listening to it you say, “not now body – we’ve got to get this done!”.
The result – fatigue, poor mood, frustration, and stress.
We all know how impactful chronic stress is on our wellness. Stress can lead to the development of mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression, and various diseases if left unmanaged. But, when you start to recognize your stress triggers and then begin to address them in ways that are practical and healing for your body, you move away from these undesirable consequences.
As mentioned in preceding posts, your body requires different nutrients for each phase of your cycle and different forms of movement. The same goes for the way you work. While one phase offers lots of energy and clear focus, another phase requires more time for nurturing and embracing a gentler agenda. This is not a bad thing. Shifting your tasks and how you approach them throughout your cycle is a solid way to tap into your strengths and make magic happen.
How so? Cycle syncing makes you aware of your body. It guides you into how you can increase productivity by helping you to honor your body’s needs so you begin to work with it, not against it. You’ll know when’s the time to work on a creative project vs the time to dream and plan. When to take advantage of social activities vs time alone to think and brainstorm. Is that not cool or what?!
So, without further ado, let’s dive into how to cycle sync your work, based on Alisa Vitti’s research.
Phase 1 – Follicular (your period has ended)
What’s going on: Your hormones have calmed down, but they will begin to rise again. You’re feeling more energetic and social now that you’ve finished bleeding.
Now’s the time to plan, plan, plan. Be intentional. Dig deep.
Task suggestions –
Plan out what things you’d like to do in the upcoming week in your business and personal life.
Figure out what projects you want to work on. What events do you want to attend? What programs do you want to do? What topics do you want to write about or talk about?
Is this the time to try something new? If so, what new things do you want to try or do?
Reflect on your why behind what you do, as well as your vision and goals. Have something you want to add or modify? Do it to it, sister friend.
Phase 2 – Ovulatory
What’s going on: The estrogen and luteinizing (hormone released by the anterior pituitary that's a major player in ensuring a healthy reproductive system) hormones are on the rise.
This is the social phase! Vitti suggests doing videos and talks if you’re more extroverted, but if you’re more introverted you should write out your thinking or feelings and then share it with a trusted individual, if you feel so inclined (Vitti, 2020).
Task suggestions –
Brainstorm like no one’s business.
Connect with people in a way that’s comfortable for you – record a video, write a post, call someone, etc. Connecting with others is a mood booster!
Act on your plans.
Share what you’re working on with others.
Cultivate social activities with family, your friends, your audience, and so on.
Phase 3 – Luteal
What’s going on – Hormones estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone have reached their peaks but will drop right before you menstruate.
Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty (insert Nacho Libre’s voice). This is the time to connect the dots and check the boxes. Organize your way through this phase.
Task suggestions –
Start knocking out tasks and projects you planned out during the follicular phase.
Hone in on your organization skills and let the Marie Kondo in your thrive.
Clean out your closet, rearrange your workspace, bake it out, dive into a project, etc.
Work on detail-oriented tasks.
Carry out “need to be done” tasks for your personal life and career.
Phase 4 – Menstrual
What’s going on - The bleed has commenced. Your hormones are at their lowest level and you probably feel it. You’re typically more fatigued and low on energy and stamina during this phase.
This is the time to slow things down. Reflection and refinement are key here.
Task suggestions –
Look back on your workflow and accomplishments over the past few weeks. Write out your thoughts.
Let gratitude flow. Write it out or share what you’re thankful for. Make note of things you’re grateful for so you can reflect on them at any point moving forward.
Take an easy, be mindful of your mood and energy, and prioritize rest.
Cycling syncing with work will increase productivity and help you to tap into your strengths in each phase. This will lead to reduced stress. In turn, you’ll improve your immune system, mood, energy, and focus. Need help tracking your cycle to cycle sync? I recommended checking out Alisa Vitti’s app, MyFlo.
Cycle syncing is an incredible hormone hack as long as you prioritize your health. This means eating nutrient-dense foods, participating in movement that feels good, getting enough sleep, and managing stress in your life.
Nourish. Move. Live. – Gracefully.
I want to emphasize the grace part. Give yourself grace with cycle syncing. It will take intentionality and a willingness to give it a go, knowing it is new and you will have to find what works best for you. You may need to modify or pivot, and reflect. This is a blueprint – a guide to bringing you more in alignment with how your body operates and what it needs.
Cycle syncing encourages you to support your body, to love your body, to be with your body. Hold onto it loosely and give your body time to adjust. All good things are worth trying.
Give yourself space for grace and watch as things come together as you nurture your body in a loving way.
That’s a wrap on cycling syncing! I recommend bookmarking this series for easy access. Temperature check – how are we feeling?
Let me know your thoughts or questions! This is a hefty topic to unpack.
You, my dear, truly do have this.
Sources:
Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Facts and Statistics. Retrieved from https://adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics
Barth, C., Villringer, A., & Sacher, J. (2015). Sex hormones affect neurotransmitters and shape the adult female brain during hormonal transition periods. Frontiers in neuroscience, 9, 37. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2015.00037
Vitti, A. 2020. The Stress-Hormone Connection. Retrieved from https://www.floliving.com/stress-and-hormones/
Vitti, A. 2020. Why Your Health Depends on Doing Less. Retrieved from
https://www.floliving.com/is-productivity-hurting-your-health/