How to live according to your cycle?

Do you feel the same during every phase of life, season, or week? Definitely not! And that's perfectly logical. Because your body is constantly changing internally due to the different hormones.

But today's society has been running on summer mode for a long time: We are always on, at our highest energy 🔥

We live in a 24-hour society with a day-and-night rhythm ( just like the male rhythm ). This makes us forget our natural feminine rhythms.

But ignoring our natural way of life takes its toll. There's no time for rest and reflection. If you're feeling unwell, you quickly get over it or take an extra coffee or painkiller.

Many women become overworked or feel stressed because of this. The answer is to live more in tune with your cycle, in tune with nature. Go with the flow instead of swimming against it!

With cyclical living you can resolve complaints such as:

• Constant stress
• An overworked feeling
• PMS complaints
• Heavy periods
• Negative feelings

Morgane (co-founder of Guud) plans a large part of her life around her cycle. It might sound excessive, but she keeps the phases of her cycle in mind in everything she does. Because this works so well for her (and many others!), she often gets questions about it. In this blog post, we'll explain exactly what cyclical living is, and why you might want to live like it too!

What is living according to your cycle?

Cyclic living means listening carefully to your body. You tailor your schedule to your monthly cycle and its needs.

You can apply this to all aspects of your life, such as work, your personal life, bedtime, and even your exercise routine or diet!

Cyclic living – how to start

Cyclical living may sound complicated. Fortunately, it isn't!

1. If you're not tracking your menstrual cycle yet, that's the first step. Use a calendar or an app. Not all women's phases are the same length. Find out how long each phase of your cycle lasts.
2. Track your mood! When do you feel strong and powerful? When do you feel vulnerable? When do you crave extra self-love? When do you feel like having sex and when not? When do you feel like seeing your friends, and when do you prefer to hide under the covers?

Compare your findings and connect your feelings to the different phases of your cycle. After about 2 to 3 months, you'll see a pattern emerge. BAM! That's your own cycle, which is much more than just "bleeding" or not. It's your natural rhythm of birth, growth, fertility, shedding, and rebirth.

Now that you've discovered a pattern, you can align your life with it. Each phase has its own strengths – here they are:

Living according to your cycle – here's how to apply it!

Now that you know when you are in which phase, it's time to look at which feelings and skills correspond to this:

✨ Follicular phase (spring)

What's it all about?

Making plans, brainstorming, new beginnings, femininity

In practice:

Your body is preparing for ovulation and possible fertilization. The hormones that trigger this release give you energy. You feel more assertive and are willing to take more risks. Enjoy spending time with friends and exercise more intensively.

You're also more open to new things now, so this is the perfect time to start a new project. You're strong at problem-solving and brainstorming.

You're probably feeling very feminine and have an increased desire for sex. Think of this phase as a celebration, which will culminate in fireworks during the next phase!

🥚 Ovulation phase (the summer)

What's it all about?

A fire burns inside you, you want to go out, blossom, discover, experiment, communicate, collaborate and show yourself!

In practice

The ovulation phase is (unfortunately) short-lived, because, like the follicular phase, it's a powerful phase. You feel more confident, sociable, and cheerful thanks to the hormone estrogen.

Your communication and teamwork skills are at their best. Your verbal skills are strong. This is the time to have important conversations at work (asking for a raise, closing deals).

Plan a date night with your partner (your libido is at its peak right now) and take advantage of the vibrant energy.

 🧘‍♀️ Luteal or pre-menstrual phase (autumn)

What's it all about?

Concentrate, finish, slow down

In practice

In this phase, you're moving from genuine strength and energy to a moment of reflection. The transition can be difficult at times, and PMS symptoms don't make it any easier.

This is also the time to wrap things up and prepare for winter (your period). This is the time to work efficiently, focused, and with concentration, with the goal of completing everything.

Try to spend more time alone to turn inward. Eat healthily, do yoga, and relieve stress. Consider a massage or acupuncture.

Take good care of yourself, and you'll likely experience fewer PMS symptoms . Also, supplement your diet with quality supplements to support your menstrual health and hormonal balance.

❣️ Menstrual phase (winter)

What's it all about?

Back to the core, your origins. Time to reflect, rest, and recover. Turn inward and reflect.

In practice

This is a time when rest is key. Menstruation can make you feel less well. So keep your schedule as clear as possible. Enjoy self-care like a warm bath, a walk, or a good book. Take it easy on your exercise.

The menstrual phase is also a time for reflection. Look back on the past month. How did it go? What could be done differently? Refuel and prepare for a new phase.

We hope this blog has given you more insight into living according to your cycle. Do you have any questions or would you like to learn more about cyclical living? Contact us ; we're happy to help!