Adventure in Monthly Harmony
Adventure in monthly harmony? Say what? What does ‘adventure in harmony’ mean? And, why should I adventure anyway?
Did you know, as women, different hormones rise and fall throughout our cycle, which affects how we feel emotionally, physically, and mentally? Therefore, understanding your own body is crucial to knowing when and how you should adventure.
For example, can you relate to the following paragraphs?
Some days you feel like crap. You’re extra tired, your body feels large, you’re highly unmotivated to do much of anything, and you realize you’ve been snapping a bit more than normal at the kids. Hubby comes home and suggests going to the gym as a family, and the idea sounds highly repulsive (even though it’s a semi-usual outing for your family). Normal daily routines feel like hard chores. You suddenly lost all interest in your new project that a week ago you were stoked about. You have no desire to adventure in any harmony. This is probably not the time to set out on a new adventure.
But then other days (que a week or two later), you feel like supermom and bosswoman on the same day! You got up early, got a workout in, had quiet time, made coffee, and put makeup on all before the kids woke up. Whaat? You’re super excited about some new ideas that have been floating around in your head. Besides making food for your family, you decide to make a meal for the neighbor who just had a baby as well. You want to go out on a favorite trail tonight with the family, because why not? You know the energizer bunny is not a real thing, but you feel like she came to visit you today, and you’re stoked about that. This is the time to go on those big adventures!
How is this Possible?
How is it that sometimes we feel disgustingly terrible, and other times we feel endlessly motivated? It’s all about the hormones in the female’s body that rise and fall within a cycle.
In this article, we are going to look at how hormones affect the way we think, act, and feel, and how that plays into our adventures.
Firstly, we will look at the different hormones in the female’s body that change in our monthly cycles. Secondly, we will discuss each week of the cycle, and how the body feels accordingly. Thirdly, we will talk about how to adventure in harmony, by matching the perfect adventures to how you feel each week.
When you are finished reading this article, you will better understand your own hormones, you will know what to expect each week of your cycle, and you will feel both confident and relieved at how you can adventure in monthly harmony. Let’s get started.
Female Hormones in Menstrual Cycle
Progesterone –
Progesterone is a big player in the female body. It’s levels are highest in the luteal phase (second half) of your cycle. Produced by the corpus luteum, it thickens the endometrium lining, preparing the body for a potential pregnancy. Progesterone raises the basal body temperature, and is the cause for the changing cervical mucus. When pregnancy does not happen, progesterone falls before the next cycle starts, giving off those dreaded PMS-symptoms.- Estrogen –
Estrogen begins to rise in the follicular stage (first half of your cycle), and begins to show signs of fertility. When pregnancy does not occur, estrogen falls drastically before the next cycle begins. - Lutenizing Hormone (LH) –
Produced by the pituitary gland, the Lutenizing Hormone causes ovulation. It peaks and drops quite quickly within the ovulation window, as it communicates to release the egg, then it’s job is done until the next menstrual cycle. - Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) –
This hormone is produced by the pituitary gland as well. It’s function is to stimulate the ovaries to produce estrogen and help with egg maturation. Similar to LH, the FSH levels rise and fall right before ovulation.
Weekly Changes in Menstrual Cycle
1. Week One – Menstruation (approx. 1 – 6)
Menstruation is the term you are probably most familiar with and is commonly known as ‘your period.” Your body is shedding it’s uterus, resulting in bleeding for a few days. All your hormone levels are low in this phase, and you most likely do not feel great. Headaches, backaches, bloating, cramps, and a host of other things may plague your body.
However, there is no shame in that. This is the time your body is releasing, and you can learn to do that mentally and emotionally as well. You can learn to ‘let it go, with the flow’ and you’ll find better harmony within yourself as you listen to your body.
During the first week of your cycle you may feel more introverted, introspective, and reflective. Take these days to treat yourself. Give yourself permission to soak in the tub, sip a glass of wine, and read your favorite book. These aren’t only ‘feel’ good vibes, they are what your body needs. This time is a great time to journal, reflect on the past, and plan for the future. This is not the time to beat your personal records, or try a new class at the gym, but it is important to still stay semi-active in this phase.
2. Week Two – Follicular (approx 1 -13, menstruation is part of the follicular phase)
After your bleeding, the estrogen hormone begins to rise and you start to feel better. The second week your body is gearing up again, and you often feel more optimistic, motivated, and inspired to learn. You have more energy and willpower to get things done.
Creativity is high during this time, so this is the time to dream and build your bucket list. What new places do you want to see? What new things do you want to learn? The sky is the limit! You’re feeling inspired, so go hard or go home!
3. Week Three – Ovulation (approx 14-16?)
Holler baby, you’re feeling on fire! Right before ovulation your LH, FSH, and estrogen levels have all peaked, and your progesterone is about to rise. Ovulation is when you feel sexy, playful, and giddy. You may feel 100% badass woman. You clean the house, feed the kids, and want to bang your husband when he comes home. Oh, and of course try out a new adventure over the weekend.
You feel amazing, accomplished, and successful at work and at home. You want to hang out with your girlfriends, have the family over, and meet new friends at a social outing. Try new adventures! Something off the cuff and out of the box, just as a fun surprise. This is the adventurous, wonderfully-wild, beautiful and sexy side of you.
4. Week Four – Luteal (approx 17-28)
Progesterone and estrogen are falling in a steady decline, and your body ‘prepares’ for another cleansing cycle. Your energy decreases, your body slows down, and your mind may seem foggy. Emotions are often all over the place. You may feel irritable, moody, irrational at times. I often find myself craving more chocolate, wine, or coffee to fuel my moodiness (not exactly a healthy trait). Whereas last week you didn’t miss a social outing, this week you just want to stay home and make yourself comfortable. “PMS-ing” as it is commonly called, is the cause for these symptoms.
As in the first week, this phase of the cycle is not to be embarrassing, demeaning, or dreaded. You are no lesser of a woman now, even though the ‘feelings’ may not match it. These are the days to wind down again, slow the schedule a bit, and ensure you are getting self care. Don’t feel bad about a slow morning, or a relaxed workout schedule – this is what your body needs during this time.
After reading the above, hopefully you feel more confident about your body and it’s cycle. You can now feel confident to give yourself permission to relax when you need to, and to hustle harder when you can. So what does this look like for your ‘adventure’ lifestyle? Here’s how to adventure in monthly harmony.
Adventure in Monthly Harmony
First Week
Remember, this is when you’re bleeding. There is absolutely no pressure to try new things, do hard things, or beat your personal records. If you don’t want to do anything this week, I wouldn’t blame you. But, we all know that doing absolutely nothing can also make us feel like crap. So, take it easy! Go for walks or a slow bike ride. Maybe check out a new trail, but something that is easy and relaxing. Or, your adventure might be through a book these days, and that is totally okay too.
Adventures to try:
-Sauna Session
-Walk in Nature
-Get your nails down or go for a massage, because you deserve it!
Second Week
You are starting to feel better with estrogen on the rise, so you can gear up your adventures and workouts too. Go for longer runs, do a HIIT session, or try out a new zumba class. You are motivated and inspired to learn, so dive into those adventures where you are learning a new skill or hobby. Plan the big adventures with the kiddos, like a camping trip, day at the zoo, or a family hike.
Adventures to try:
-New group exercise class at the gym
-Learn rock climbing or rappelling
-Take a cooking class or dance lesson
Third Week
Around ovulation is when you start to feel your best, and that typically lands at the beginning of week three, or around day 14. Near ovulation is when you feel strong, powerful, and energetic. So, do all those activities and trips that feel like a lot, but you know are doable! You can crush them! The actual activities will look different for everyone, so do what’s hard for you.
Adventures to try:
-Going out with all the kids by yourself
-Exploring a new city for the day
-Try for your personal best: push your climbing grade, beat your running time, or break your own lifting record
Fourth Week
And just like the seasons come and go, week four is the end of your luteal phase, the ‘premenstrual’ phase. Referred to as “Autumn” when matched with the seasons, this is a time of slowing down again and feeling more introverted. Oftentimes, women will experience PMS symptoms as the time gets closer to the next menstrual cycle. At this time it is crucial to listen to your body, and know what is a good, healthy balance for you.
You will feel less motivated for physical activities again as progesterone drops. Walking, yoga, and relaxing bike rides are good ways to stay active, but are not excessive. During this season, you may feel more prone to stay at home, cuddle up with a book, and sip tea. Take this time to reflect, organize, and plan for the next phase.
Adventures to try:
-Cook new dishes, especially with foods that are beneficial for this phase
-Read a new book on organization or planning
-Go on a relaxing Solo adventure: have you hubs keep the kiddos and get away on your bike, SUP, or kayak for much needed, personal time
Conclusion:
Now you know how to adventure in monthly harmony! You are beautiful and strong, your body is amazing and resilient, and you are a good mama to your children! Now you know your strengths and “weaknesses” for each week. Now that you have knowledge about your body’s hormones, an understanding about each phase, and ideas for how to adventure through each week, you are all set to go! What are you waiting for?
Get out, Go Adventure.
Psst! Excited to get started but not sure where to start?
Keep Reading: