Here’s how to work according to your cycle

Work – a passion for some, a daily struggle for others. The expectations, demands, routine, the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It can all be a bit of a struggle sometimes... But that's not surprising, because a standard workweek isn't ideal: every day is the same (same hours, same expectations), and there's little time to listen to your body and give it what it needs. But things can be different, and you don't have to radically change your life: in this blog, we'll tell you all about working according to your cycle.

Work is an important part of our lives. With a bit of luck, you'll have a good job, but even then, working life can be tough sometimes. And that's understandable, because society as we know it isn't at all geared towards our bodies with their ups and downs, hormonal changes, and discomforts. That's how it is...

The power of your cycle

The menstrual cycle is sometimes called the sixth vital sign . And that's no joke: menstrual health is a good indicator of a woman's overall health. And what's more, your cycle directly impacts how you feel and perform.

Our research shows that 90% of women experience symptoms around their period – sometimes these symptoms are so severe that they interfere with daily life. You might experience too much pain to concentrate, be easily distracted, need to use the restroom frequently, or be unable to work at all.

Some countries are doing their best to raise awareness of this problem: Spain, for example, offers women menstrual leave. Great, of course, but ultimately it's just treating the symptoms. How do you ensure you can enjoy going to work (almost) every day?

You can divide it into two main action points

1. Reduce your symptoms as much as possible : We've always heard that suffering from pain is part of life, but that's simply not true. With a balanced lifestyle, the right diet, and additional supplements, you can alleviate many of your symptoms. Use our product finder and get advice specifically tailored to your situation .

2. Learn to live according to your cycle . It might sound vague, but it isn't. Your hormones control everything in your body, and they change every few days. So it's not surprising that sometimes you feel stronger, more focused, more sociable, and better – and other days you'd rather just stay on the couch.

So how do you do that, schedule your work around your cycle?

Happy at work: track your cycle and discover your best moments

To recap: your body is controlled by hormones. These hormones regulate virtually everything, from your blood pressure to stress responses, to your libido and sense of happiness.

During your fertile life, these hormones ensure you ovulate every month. But these important reproductive hormones – estrogen and testosterone – also influence your mood. This means your cycle coincides exactly with how you feel. And you can use that to your advantage...

Here's how to do it:

Track your cycle and discover the 4 different phases of your cycle. Most women have a menstrual cycle between 25 and 35 days. We count from the first day of your period, which should be easy to recognize. 😉

Are you using hormonal contraception? Then you can continue this schedule, but you'll likely experience fewer benefits from living according to your cycle—no problem, of course. And if you ever want to use a natural contraceptive method , you'll already be prepared for this comfortable lifestyle.

Day	What?	What is it?
Day 1-7	Your period	This takes on average between 3 and 7 days.
Day 8-12	The follicular phase	During this phase, an egg matures in one of your ovaries.
Day 13-15	Your ovulation	During ovulation, also called ovulation, an egg is released from the ovary.
Day 16-28	The luteal phase	These are the days after ovulation. The egg travels through the fallopian tube to the uterine cavity. Along the way, your egg can be fertilized by sperm. If the egg isn't fertilized, your body will reject it, and your period will begin again.

Track your cycle and discover when your body is in which phase. This can vary from woman to woman, so take your time to figure it out. Consider using an ovulation test to determine when you're ovulating.

Meanwhile, pay attention to how you feel at work (happy, confident, down, creative, insecure). Link this to the different phases. And after a month or two, you should be able to predict when you're feeling good and when you're not.

It probably looks like this:

Your workforce during every phase

❣️ Menstrual phase – intuition, reflection and adjustment

Just as your body sheds its uterine lining, this phase can also be an excellent time to let go of situations that no longer serve you. This creates space to start over with a clean slate. During this phase, we often seek warmth and comfort. It's also nice to wear comfortable clothes, take some extra time for self-care, and prepare delicious, warm meals.

At work: Reflect on the past month. How was your work? How is collaborating with your colleagues going? Are you working on the projects you care about? Is your work moving in the direction you want it to? What changes do you need to make to remain happy and successful in your work and career?

✨ The follicular phase – creative tasks

Due to the growing follicles, estrogen levels will increase during this phase, which in turn will result in increased energy and a greater desire for social interaction. This is the ideal time to do something you might normally avoid.

At work: This phase is perfect for starting new projects or brainstorming. It's a great time to develop and take action on existing ideas and insights. You can also further consider how to solve specific problems and achieve your goals. You might also find that you have more energy, for example, to work longer hours.

🥚 Ovulation phase – communication is your strength

Your estrogen is peaking now, and luteinizing hormone levels are also surging. When you're ovulating, you're usually at your peak energy, your communication skills are at their peak, and you're incredibly confident.

In the workplace: During this period, you'll feel more confident and communicating with others will flow more smoothly. If you need to present, network, or close deals, now's your time to do it. Just like in spring, you're still full of energy, so stepping up a gear shouldn't be a problem.

🧘‍♀️ Luteal or premenstrual phase – at work

From the second half of your cycle (after ovulation), progesterone takes over. Estrogen levels then decrease, and progesterone levels increase. Progesterone calms the brain and will also make you calmer and more relaxed.

During this phase, you may also experience PMS symptoms such as headaches, low mood, bloating, depressed feelings, low energy, mood swings, and breast tenderness. Listen to your body and be kind to yourself. Talk to a colleague or partner about it so you're not suffering alone. If the symptoms are too severe, talk to a doctor.

At work: You might notice that you're more emotional and perhaps more easily overstimulated. Therefore, focus on tasks and activities that offer you more peace of mind and don't overstimulate. Even if this doesn't always seem feasible, it's good to first recognize and understand that it's normal to feel this way. This can help you accept it and stop fighting it.

In this phase, you're a whiz at completing tasks. Finish projects, handle administrative tasks, or submit monthly reports.

And what if I can't adjust my work?

No problem – completely understandable! Think of the above as a guideline, not something you have to do or follow. Sometimes you just have to do certain things, even if they don't quite align with the stage you're in at the time.

In general, try to incorporate activities that don't require much effort, and after work, consider your cycle. Understanding your cycle better and fully embracing it can really help you feel better throughout the month.

And what about men and their working lives?

Men also have a cycle , with peaks and troughs. The main difference is that the male cycle lasts 24 hours and is controlled by testosterone, while the female cycle lasts an average of 28 days and is controlled by estrogen and progesterone.

Looking at the rhythm of the male cycle, it seems as if daily work life is perfectly aligned with it. Thanks to testosterone, men are at their best during the day. Ideal for a standard nine-to-five workday.

Especially in the morning, the testosterone surge boosts energy, self-confidence, impulsiveness, and temperament. For the rest of the day, there's enough testosterone to keep you cheerful and motivated.

In the afternoon, the remaining testosterone boosts productivity, focus, and teamwork. And just as testosterone levels drop towards the evening and men become tired, the workday is over. Meanwhile, a woman will feel more confident around ovulation and calmer in the days leading up to her period.

Further support your cycle with...

With this approach, you too can choose to utilize your menstrual power instead of menstrual discomfort! 💪 Support your cycle further with a healthy lifestyle, diet, exercise, and supplement your diet with the right supplements.

Do you have questions about your cycle, getting pregnant, or our products? We're here for you. You can reach us directly via the live chat on our website. Want to see which products are right for you? Find out with our product finder .