Women in our reproductive window (from first bleed to menopause) have an infradian rhythm, which is separate from our circadian rhythm. By understanding the Four Phases of the Infradian Rhythm within our own bodies, we can optimize our health & make a positive impact in every area of our life.
A great resource we recommend is the book In the Flo, by Alisa Vitti She writes “starting at puberty and continuing until you reach menopause at about age fifty. It deeply impacts your experience of life for approximately forty years. This Infradian Rhythm is tied to your monthly menstrual cycle, which includes four distinct phases – follicular, ovulatory, luteal, and menstrual. The same way your circadian clock plays a role in your daily bodily functions, your 28-day Infradian clock influences your brain chemistry and physiology, providing you with unique gifts and strengths at different times of the month.”
As a chiropractic office we view health through the lens of the nervous system. By acknowledging your Infradian Rhythm, and taking actionable steps towards optimizing it – we have observed HRV results improve, stress levels decrease, energy increase, and hormones balance.
We like to look at each phase of your rhythm/cycle as a season of the year.
Bleed Phase = Winter (3-7 days)
This is the time to prioritize rest, to hibernate, and go inward. Your energy levels are at their lowest, honor that and take anything off of your calendar that you can. This is also when the Left & Right hemispheres of your brain are the most interconnected – you have better access to both the creative & logical parts of yourself. Allowing you to reflect & strategize with more ease.
Follicular Phase = Spring (7-10 days)
During this time your energy is coming back and estrogen begins to build. You will benefit from higher intensity workouts during this phase as your body is in growth and building mode. Now is a great time to write your to-do lists & goals.
Ovulation Phase = Summer (3-4 days)
During this time you may feel more social & energized. Your hormones are peaked in a way that stimulates your brain’s verbal & social centers, making you feel more extroverted and communicative.
Luteal Phase = Fall (10-14 days)
As estrogen levels rise to promote thickening of the uterine lining, your body requires more calories (around 270!) This is why a lot of women notice their cravings increase. Being aware of this is really helpful so you don’t deplete your body! This is a great opportunity for strength training because your physiology is primed for building muscle in this phase – lift heavy! In this phase your brain is optimized for bringing projects to completion, you may notice the ability to focus on details & a drive to check off the to-do-list is heightened during this time.
Enjoy this Cycle Charting PDF to dive deeper into your four phases!
The PDF is from a workshop Dr. Kate taught related to our Infradian Rhythm and setting goals. The cycle of the Moon follows the same rhythm, which allows non-bleeding people (this can be due to being pregnant, early postpartum, post-menopausal, on hormonal birth control) to connect to this same rhythm in their own body. The center of the pdf is for your dream/goal (ideal to set during your bleed / new moon phase). The follicular phase is where you make your List, your to-do’s, action steps, etc. The top of the page is where you place your outward facing & communication related actions (ex: record a video, make the phone call, give the presentation, declare your desires). The right side of the chart is where you place the final details (ex: clean out the closets, organize the junk drawer, order the items, organize the files). The bottom Bleed /New Moon Phase is where you reflect and set a new intenion (print this out and start next cycles chart on a fresh page!) – what worked, what didn’t and why? What can you do next cycle to move closer to your dream? Your brain is primed in this phase to creatively interpret the data and move you closer to your desires.
