Nina Kaufmann

Have you ever wondered why some days you feel unstoppable, ready to take on the world, while other days, you want nothing more than to curl up under a blanket and escape from everything? If you’ve noticed that your binge watch Netflix days often align with your menstrual cycle, you’re already one step closer to understanding the cyclical wisdom of your body.

For many of us, these low-energy days, particularly around our periods, aren’t our favorite. Perhaps you wish you could skip over them entirely, pushing through with endless cups of coffee and a few painkillers to keep pace with life. But here’s the truth: the restful phases are equally important as the phases of intense energy and creativity, . Ignoring them does a disservice to your well-being.

Society has conditioned us to believe that we should always be productive, dismissing the natural ebb and flow of energy as inconvenient or irrelevant. Yet, just like the seasons of nature—spring, summer, fall, and winter—our bodies operate in cycles. Without winter, spring couldn’t bloom. Likewise, without honoring the natural rhythms of your menstrual cycle, you miss out on your full potential.

Your menstrual cycle consists of four phases: the follicular phase, ovulation, the luteal phase, and the menstrual phase. Each phase brings out different strengths in you, and when you adjust your lifestyle to align with these phases, you can unlock a deeper connection with yourself, boost your productivity, and support your health holistically.

The Four Phases and How to Embrace Them

1. Menstrual Phase (Winter)
The menstrual phase is often hard to miss—it’s when you bleed, and for some, it comes with the discomfort of cramps (or worse). Estrogen and progesterone levels suddenly drop, the uterus is shedding and releasing the egg.

Despite what society tells us, this isn’t a time to just “push through” and keep hustling. Your energy is naturally lower, and this is a phase for deep rest, reflection, and release—just as your uterus is shedding, so too should you let go of what no longer serves you.

This is also the phase where your intuition is at its peak, making it the perfect time to reflect on your life. Meditate, journal, and get clear on what feels right and what needs to change (as you will see, luteal phase will show you exactly what changes are necessary). Nourish yourself with warm, comforting foods and drinks. You might notice increased hunger. Honor your body’s need for care and rejuvenation.

Of course, life happens and you might not have the opportunity to take a few days off just to journal and meditate, but you can always do something! Even taking just an hour or two for yourself might do wonders.

2. Follicular Phase (Spring)
After your period ends, your energy starts to rise, and you’re ready to take action. This phase aligns most with the fast-paced, modern lifestyle we’re all used to.

You’ll feel confident, focused, and driven to start new projects, take on challenges, and learn new things. Make the most of this phase by planning and setting new goals—guided by the insights from the menstrual phase.

3. Ovulation (Summer)
Many women love this phase because it’s when we feel most magnetic and energized. During ovulation, you’re more social, persuasive, and creative. Egg is ripe and released—you’re fertile. Therefore, nature is blessing you with endless radiance so you can sweep anyone off their feet, and create a community to nurture you once you potentially become a mom.

Use this time to tackle important conversations, pitch your ideas, or simply bask in the joy of connecting with others. You’ll feel radiant, and your body might crave lighter, fresh foods that complement this vibrant energy.

4. Luteal Phase (Fall)
Ah, the luteal phase—the phase most known for PMS. But it’s not all doom and gloom! This is a powerful time to tie up loose ends and finish projects. Your energy may fluctuate, but you also become more detail-oriented and focused. This is probably why during luteal phase we have the tendency to notice everything that’s wrong with our life—so we can fix it.

While it’s important to honor your body’s signals to slow down when needed, this phase is also a time to assess and prepare for the next cycle. Eat foods rich in magnesium and B vitamins to support your body through this transition.

Why This Matters: Aligning with Your Cycle

When you understand the distinct needs and strengths of each phase of your cycle, you can start to live in harmony with your body, rather than fighting against it. Imagine planning your life, your work, and your self-care in a way that amplifies your natural rhythm. Instead of burning out, you’ll find yourself energized, focused, and at peace with the flow of your life. At least most of the time—obviously, we cannot always plan ur lives according to the cycle, but as I’ve said before, we can always do something.

Even if that is just being aware of your cycle, you will know you’re not lazy just because you’re experiencing lower energy days—my hope is, this will allow you to develop more self compassion, and will nudge you to nurture yourself gently.

Ready to Dive Deeper?

If you’re ready to embrace your cyclical nature and start nurturing your hormones gently, I invite you to join Nurturing Female Hormones: Beyond Diets and Restrictions. This well loved course guides you through each phase of your cycle, teaching you how to nourish your body, mind, and spirit with intuitive eating, joyful movement, and practical self-care practices that fit your life.

In Nurturing Female Hormones, you’ll learn:

• Intuitive Eating: Break free from diet rules and reconnect with your body’s natural hunger and fullness cues, making peace with food while nourishing your body with what it truly needs.
• Health at Every Size and Body Neutrality: Focus on well-being instead of weight, embracing body neutrality and learning to treat your body with the care and respect it deserves—no matter what the scale says.
• Understanding Your Cycle: Track and understand your menstrual cycle, identifying what a “normal” period looks like so you can form a deeper connection with your body.
• Stress & Sleep: Learn how stress and sleep impact your hormones and practical ways to restore balance. I’ll guide you through actionable strategies to manage stress, reduce its impact on your body, and reclaim your hormonal health. Lots of practical tips to improve your sleep hygiene included too!
• Joyful Movement & Gentle Nutrition: Engage in joyful movement that supports your physical and mental well-being without the pressure of “burning calories” because moving your body shouldn’t feel like a punishment. You’ll learn how to incorporate nutrient-dense foods into your eating world in a way that feels enjoyable, sustainable, and free from guilt or pressure.
• Herbal Support: Explore how nature’s remedies can support your hormonal health. Learn about specific herbs that can support your hormonal balance and overall well-being.

This course is designed to give you the tools you need to take loving care of your health and thrive, without restrictive diets or any extreme measures.

Your Invitation to Thrive
Imagine what your life could look like if you aligned with your cycle, honored your body’s needs, and nurtured your well-being in a holistic, sustainable way.

Sign up for Nurturing Female Hormones: Beyond Diets and Restrictions here, and start a journey that will change the way you experience your body and your life forever.

There is 30 day money back guarantee, so you can enroll to the course risk free!

If you’re interested specifically in syncing in with your cycle, you can enroll to my free Cycle Alignment: Honoring Your Menstrual Cycle course where I take you through each phase and its emotional and physical aspects. These teachings are enlightening and will change the way you feel about menstrual cycle alltogether!

Enroll to the free course Cycle Alignment: Honoring Your Menstrual Cycle here.

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy here.