How cycle syncing can enhance your productivity

What if I told you that syncing up your tasks with the phases of your menstrual cycle could help you achieve more? Yep, it’s a thing, and it’s called the cycle syncing method. It’s about timing your activities to match where you’re at in your cycle.

So, whether you’re starting new projects, planning your work schedule, or brainstorming new ideas, there’s an ideal time for it all. In this article, we’re going to talk about how aligning your to-do list with the phases of your cycle can make you more productive.

Embracing the Female Hormonal Cycle

As a woman, have you ever stopped to think about who’s been dictating our productivity standards all this time?  Think about it: while men can simply roll out of bed and head to work without anyone questioning their appearance or state of mind, women are expected to adhere to unrealistic standards of productivity. 

It’s about time we stop listening to outdated advice from those who don’t understand the intricacies of the female hormonal cycle and start listening to the body’s natural rhythms.

Not only have you wasted time listening to this male rhetoric, but if you weren’t aware of the productivity secret that I’m about to share with you, then you’ve maybe waste­d precious time that could’ve be­en used for effe­ctive work just because you have a cycle.

Our society, dominate­d by men, is built around the 24-hour male cycle and not the roughly 28-day cycle of the other 50% of the population. This fact creates many obstacle­s for women in all life areas. The good news is, I’m about to share with you some useful tips and strategies for how you can not only minimize the impact this has on your education and career but also how you can use this as a superpower.

The Basics:

Now, let’s dive into the hacks and helpful tips that will transform your productivity. I’ve categorized the hacks based on the strengths of each phase of your cycle and outlined the lifestyle changes you need to make to your daily routines. This will help you optimize your strengths and minimize setbacks. But first, let’s start with the basics.

Throughout the various cycle phases, we experience many hormonal changes. The two main hormones at play in the menstrual cycle are estrogen and progesterone, with testosterone also playing a role. While hormone­s can impact energy leve­ls through the menstrual cycle, identifying your strengths and weaknesses in each phase helps maximize productivity. 

The cycle consists of four phases: the follicular phase, ovulation, the luteal phase, and menstruation.

The follicular phase marks the thickening of the womb lining and rising estrogen levels. Next is ovulation, a roughly 24-hour period when an egg is released from the ovary, accompanied by a peak in testosterone levels. Following the ovulation phase is the luteal phase, progesterone-dominant, and the longest phase of the cycle. Finally, there’s the menstrual phase, the shedding of the uterine lining, commonly known as a period.

Productivity during the different phases of your cycle

1. The follicular phase (Inner Spring)

The follicular phase is identified by rising estrogen levels, which causes a surge in energy levels. This is the time to make the most out of creativity and productivity.

During this phase, concentrate on cultivating good habits and starting fresh routines as well as utilizing this time to get ahead on assignments or work tasks.

• Personal life

If you want to initiate a new positive habit like a new exercise routine, a balanced diet, or a new morning routine, the follicular phase is your golden window. As soon as your period wraps up, seize the opportunity to start positive habits or start new routines.

• Education

 This is the best time to strategize, plan, and get ahead on coursework. if you don’t have any exams close, consider using this period to create resources like flashcards, so that when exam season approaches you will have them ready.

This is the time of the month when most of us have heightened energy, therefore it is wise to leverage this energy to get through the most challenging tasks.

• Career

In my experience, I have noticed that later on in the month, I tend to struggle with creativity and inspiration block. However, during the follicular phase, I almost feel like I have too many ideas going around in my head.

It is crucial to always have something on hand to write down any idea you have whether small or big. Documenting these ideas will come in handy when you’re experiencing that creative block later in the cycle.

2. Ovulation Phase (Inner Summer)

This marks the phase in your cycle when the egg is released and your testosterone peaks.

Science shows that you’re the most attractive at this point which often translates to a boost in confidence. During the ovulation phase your strengths are communication and social skills. So, leverage this confidence to your advantage, work collaboratively, and enjoy social life.

While ovulation typically occurs within a 24-hour period; however, you may experience these symptoms for a few days surrounding ovulation. 

• Personal life

During the ovulation phase, I love to spend time with my loved ones and reconnect with people I might have lost touch with.

It’s also a perfect opportunity to address any lingering issues that may be bubbling up beneath the surface. Whether it’s with a partner or friend, this phase could be a great time to bring it up. As you’re experiencing improved communication skills, you’re more likely to navigate these conversations with greater ease and understanding than later in your cycle.

• Education

Try to schedule any speaking assessments, presentations, or group work around your follicular phase or your ovulation to capitalize on improved communication and confidence. If you are a student another great activity would be revision classes. During this period, it would be a great idea to revise either by yourself or by teaching others.

You can also capitalize on the enhanced communication skills and use this time to bring up any concerns you might have with your teachers or supervisors.

• Career

 This is the time of the month you should consider working from the office and engaging in collaborative work. It is also an ideal time to schedule important meetings, go to networking events, do any public speaking, or even do job interviews.

3. The Luteal Phase (Inner Autumn) 

The Luteal Phase is considered the longest phase of our menstrual cycle and is defined by dominant progesterone levels. This phase is known for its mood swings, which can greatly affect our desire to socialize. Instead of focusing only on the negatives, we should recognize the unique strengths of each phase of the monthly cycle. 

During the luteal phase, your strengths are independence and productivity. The inclination towards solitude shouldn’t be viewed as a weakness; rather, it presents a valuable opportunity for completing tasks that you can’t complete with a group or take the time to indulge in introspective deep work.

• Personal life

During the luteal phase, I make sure I get to any unfinished tasks including administrative work, paying bills, and all the boring stuff that you just need to be alone to get done.

During this time, it’s crucial to take brie­f breaks to relax and recharge­ as this allows you to approach tasks fresh. Indulge in some good quality self-care whether that is tinting my eyebrows, doing a face mask, having a bath, painting my nails, whatever it may be, really taking some time to indulge myself.

• Education

Use this time to get ahead on studying or researching for an upcoming essay. It could also be a time that you shift your normal study location to your desk at home or the silent area of the library.

• Career

If your ovulatory phase was all about collaborative work, this is the time to work independently on all those projects that you started in the ovulatory phase with your team, I personally love to work in a group but for some tasks, it is way more efficient for you to finish yourself. 

This is the perfect time to utilize the clarity of independence to just get things done. if you’re lucky enough to have the flexibility of working from home or if you went into the office during your ovulatory and follicular phases then this could be the time that you benefit from a little bit of work-from-home comfort. 

4. Menstrual Phase (Inner Winter)

The Menstruation Phase is often stigmatized, but it’s a crucial time for emotional release and renewal. It’s normal to experience intense emotions during this phase, and it’s important to allow ourselves to feel them rather than suppress them. Journaling, watching movies, and reflecting on our emotions can be helpful during this time. 

Take the time to feel the strengths of the menstrual phase: reflection and intuition.

It is an important time to shed the emotions that accumulated over the past cycle so that we can move into our next cycle feeling refreshed, revitalized, and emotionally relieved. 

Consider it a time to release and uncover all the emotions we may have been ignoring. Recognizing that our ability to feel our emotions is a superpower that should not be minimized.

• Personal life

Journaling during the menstrual phase offers a valuable opportunity to explore all those deep emotions that you’re feeling.

 Allow yourself the space to express your feelings, whether through crying or watching all the lame movies you want. If you utilize this phase correctly it can be an incredible emotional reset, facilitating healing and rejuvenation.

• Education

If you feel like you’re lacking a little bit of direction, use the heightened intuition during this phase to reflect on what makes you happy, sad, or angry. And whether you’re on the correct path that allows you to make a positive impact on the world.

• Career

With this phase negative feelings rise to the surface; we might feel like a failure or think a lot more about our shortcomings. However, the next time this happens I want you to reflect on your successes and how far you’ve come.  try to transform those tears of failure into tears of pride.

During your menstrual phase, work may feel a tad more demanding than usual. However, it’s crucial to lean on your support system and delegate tasks more effectively.

If you’re feeling like you’ve lost your passion this can be a great time to reconnect with the deeper meaning behind your work and its impact on the world.

Moreover, an incredible strength of this phase is empathy, a crucial asset in problem-solving and collaboration. Heightened empathy allows you to understand your colleagues’ perspectives better, potentially elevating your performance as an employee and helping you come up with innovative solutions to challenges.