‘Cycle Syncing’: Experts Explain ‘Empowering’ Health Trend

Cycle syncing is just one term for adjusting habits to optimize health and wellness at every point of a woman’s menstrual cycle.
New research by women’s health and PMS relief brand Cycl Health has found that there has been a 1,484 percent uptick in global interest in people searching for “cycle syncing” in the last five years, which the brand told Newsweek indicates “a clear intrigue for a more holistic approach to women’s self-care.”
“Cycle syncing is a women’s wellness practice that involves adapting your daily routines and lifestyle to improve hormonal balance, boost productivity and support your overall health,” said Joanna Shinewell, dietitian and leading advisor for Cycl Health.
“This can be things like altering your workout regimes, overall diet and even self-care routines to be in tune with each phase of your cycle.”

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Throughout a woman’s roughly monthly cycle, the body goes through various hormonal changes that some refer to as inner seasons.
The first season—the menstrual phase, known as inner winter—refers to the days of bleeding when hormone levels, such as estrogen and progesterone, are low and symptoms may include cramping, bloating, low energy levels, headaches skin blemishes and mood changes.
The second season—the follicular phase, known as inner spring—is characterized by increasing levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estrogen, so energy levels tend to rise and mood improves.
The third season—the ovulatory phase, known as inner summer—is when a woman is fertile, with high energy levels and increased sex drive.
Finally, the fourth season—the luteal phase, known as inner autumn—is a longer period of time when a woman has increasing levels of progesterone and lower levels of estrogen, characterized by lower energy levels and possible pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS).
“When women align their nutrition, exercise and lifestyle habits with the four distinct phases of their menstrual cycle, it allows them to not only optimize their hormonal health, but also manage their energy,” Elle Serafina, integrative nutrition health coach and author of the forthcoming Cycle Magic, told Newsweek.
“Cycle syncing offers a holistic, empowering approach to wellness, providing women with a framework to support their bodies, minds and overall vitality throughout their menstruating years.”
Serafina said it was important to rest during luteal and menstrual phases to avoid added stress and PMS, while the best time to begin a new wellness habit was during the follicular phase, when our mood was enhanced, our appetite stable and energy levels high.
Dr. Michelle Sands, naturopathic physician and CEO of women’s health brand GLOW Natural Wellness, told Newsweek: “[Cycle syncing is] all about embracing your natural rhythms and seeing your hormonal changes as a strength, not something to fight against.”
Sands said cycle syncing “just makes sense” as “a way to work with your body” and that it “can be really empowering.”
Elizabeth King, certified fertility expert and CEO of Fertility Coach Academy, told Newsweek that she swore by cycle syncing as “a great way to get attuned with your body” that was “helpful for every woman.”
Dietitian nutritionist Eve Persak, of Live Whole You, told Newsweek that cycle syncing experienced pushback from the conventional medicine community as well as over-promising from the wellness space.
“When personalized, paired with diagnostic testing and guided by trusted and credentialed healthcare professionals, the practice of cycle-syncing can help women better understand the nuances of every stage of her cycle,” said Persak. “She can then adjust her sleep hygiene, eating patterns and exercise to align with her body’s needs in real time.”
Angelica Merritt, clinical herbalist, told Newsweek that it was best to choose gentle movements at the beginning of the cycle, increase exercise intensity up to ovulation, and decrease during the luteal phase, to maximize fitness goals.
Michelle Agudelo, menstrual health practitioner at Haus of Flow, told Newsweek that cycle syncing was “the ultimate key to self-care and success.”
She said she used it to improve her work performance and plan her social calendar, knowing she would be most productive and sociable during follicular and ovulatory phases.
“It’s in everyone’s best interest to educate themselves about cycle syncing and how to make it work for them,” said Agudelo. “Everyone’s emotional, hormonal, mental and physical health can benefit.”
Is there a health problem that’s worrying you? Do you have a question about menstrual health? Let us know via [email protected]. We can ask experts for advice and your story could be featured in Newsweek.
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