9 Reasons to Track + Sync to Your Cycle
First things first! This is the first blog I’ve felt inspired to write in over a year, and I’m writing because I’ve had much more time to integrate old habits and being introduced to new ones. I want to share this with you because it’s been hugely impactful in my life. It’s been a solid 3 years of cycle syncing, and I’m on month 7 of tracking my cycle with Fertility Awareness Methods of birth control.
But a quick recap of what this means:
What is cycle tracking?
Tracking your cycle is looking at and recording your cervical mucus, basal body temperature, and cervical position daily. This is to be able to confirm that your body has gone through ovulation. Remember, menstruation doesn’t happen unless ovulation has happened. I use 2 different apps to help me with this. The first is Kindara, and it’s where I keep record of everything, including when I’ve had sex, any symptoms or notes. The second is MyFlo, which uses an algorithm to predict ovulation. A WORD OF CAUTION: Do not trust an algorithm over your own body’s signs and symptoms. The apps that help you predict are just that: a prediction based on the “fact” that “everyone” ovulates on day 14 of their 28 day cycle. Truth is, you could show signs of ovulation on day 12, 13, 14, 15, etc. depending on how long your cycle is, your stress levels that month, and SO many other factors.
What is cycle syncing?
Cycle syncing is altering your nutrition and exercise, modifying your social calendar, and aligning your relationships and activities with your cycle/lunar phases. I’ve written a few blogs in the past on cycle syncing, so if you’re new to this, I encourage you to read my past post Cycle Syncing 101!)
What goodness awaits when you track + sync to your cycle?
Stay in tune with your body.
When you track and follow up with syncing, you are acutely aware of your body and what it likes, doesn't like, needs more of, and needs less of. You'll be able to take this practice month to month, year to year, and know exactly how your body works and how to support it.
Perfect your period
You can have a "perfect" and healthy period when you track and sync to it. No more PMS, cramps, heavy bleeding, migraines, or any other symptoms that take you out of commission while you're bleeding. And when you honor this phase, you know you don't have to push yourself beyond your body's boundaries and can find actual restoration that supports the rest of your phases.
Avoid burnout or adrenal fatigue
When you have an irregular period or have lost it all together (amenorrhea) due to excess stress hormones (cortisol), you can begin to heal your hormones through cycle tracking and syncing. Sure, it won't be perfect at the start, but just because you're irregular with bleeding doesn't mean your body isn't trying to get there for you. You can pick up other signs for what phase your'e in and sync accordingly.
Feel stronger and beautiful from the inside out
Your body's metabolism, energy and hormones change throughout your cycle, so when you sync, you'll move and workout your body accordingly. While weight-loss might not be your goal, you may experience a natural shedding with regular bowel movements, less bloat, clearer skin, stronger muscle tone, and even avoid injury all together when you move your body well. This worked for the US Women's National Soccer Team (they won the World Cup through tracking + syncing their practices to their cycles).
Improve your fertility + know when you're fertile
When you eat specific fertility-boosting foods and move according to your cycle (aka sync to your cycle), you'll improve your egg and uterine health, as well as implantation and growth of a baby. When you track using fertility awareness methods, such as taking your basal body temperature (BBT), checking your cervical mucus and cervical position, you'll know exactly when you're fertile and should engage or avoid penetrative sex (depending on the goal of getting pregnant or not).
Enjoy better sex - solo and with a partner
With a better understanding of your cycle, you'll know exactly what phase you're in and can practice conscious communication with yourself and with a partner for what your needs and desires are - whether that's more connection prior to any sexual play, lubrication, extra protection, or wanting to try something brand new.
Have better relationships at work and home
Being self-aware lends itself to your most important relationships (besides the one with yourself) so you can support yourself and your needs, and knowing when and how to ask for support from your family members, friends, or coworkers. This means less fights or arguments (which can be exhausting), and more understanding and love for everyone involved.
Increased energy and creativity for the things you love
Working with your cyclical nature, you'll be equipped with energy and creative juices that will never run dry (even when you're perimenopausal or beyond menopause - you're still a cyclical being!) You'll know exactly when to execute the things you want to birth into the world and it will flow with ease when you tap into your varying strengths.
You'll become a phasic powerhouse
Yes, your phasic-ness is a super power that frequently gets ignored or written off. But with these tracking + syncing practices, you're embodying your true nature, a balance of yin and yang, masculine and feminine, death and rebirth, and you won't be able to be stopped as you cycle. If you happen to be in a pregnancy (womb gathering), postpartum phase (womb releasing), or perimenopausal, you're in deep transformation and are able to stay connected to the lunar cycle to mimic your menstrual cycle.
“Ok, you’ve got me. I’m in. How do I start??”
My best advice is to start slowly! One piece at a time. If you’re completely brand new to these ideas, I’d start off with reading WomanCode by Alisa Vitti, or sticking around this blog + my instagram to see what resonates. If you’re called to make some big shifts I have two offerings for you:
The Maven Menstrualship - You’ll have me as your guide and resource for all your menstrual cycle and embodied living questions for 3 months.
Sexy Cycles - a transformational and communal experience with other phasic powerhouses (aka women and menstruators), beginning January 2022!