Using cycle tracking to manage menopause
Cycle tracking is a game changer for managing menopause symptoms
And it costs NOTHING!
There are two main reasons for how helpful it is.
I manage my energy and mood better through the cycle because I know the fluctuations well - and any changes are an opportunity to tune in to my perimenopause progress!
When I add in a supplement, or tweak my dietary habits I can see whether or not it has an impact.
I have to say though, the first time I read about the idea of cycle tracking (from the Red School) I instinctively KNEW it would be a gamechanger for me.
Now I love journaling, and I used to make a note in my journal of when my period arrived. But that was it. I’d get my messy thoughts out, and then a couple of days after I thought I was falling apart, I’d notice my period arrived and connect the dots. ‘Oh that self loathing and tendency to explode or dissolve was my hormones after all!’.
But tracking helped me do 2 things.
One of them was to see the pattern.
So, after a few months of tracking (with day 1 being the first day of my period) I would notice that day 22-24/5 would be the days when I’d be low on energy and low on resilience. I’d be more likely to let rage take centre stage. Day 25-28/29 would be when my sleep would be disrupted, my skin would dry out or erupt and I’d just feel low and drained.
Knowing that was GOLD. I no longer judged myself as a failed human being, or let my inner critic take over, because I knew I would bounce back soon enough. I learned to prioritise rest and saw useful connections between supplements I was taking and how they impacted mood and energy.
It is a key to knowing how to take empowered action.
AND to letting others know when they needed adapt too.
And knowing ourselves better enables us to make better choices AND to silence the negative chat in our heads that can take over.
I noticed that too much caffeine or alcohol affected my sleep negatively because when I gave them up I slept better and my mood and energy were better. I noticed that when I added ground linseed to my daily breakfast my itchy skin cleared up.
This is just as helpful if you don’t have a menstrual cycle. You can use the New Moon as day 1, or just pick a 4 week cycle. Write the date above Day 1.
Your patterns might not be as obvious but you might be able to really see cause and effect - whether it’s a night out that means you feel tired and grumpy all week, or a stomach upset that means you have less energy, or how a stressful few days disrupt your sleep.
You get to know yourself and your body better. And that is magic.
The second reason I love tracking is that you know the value of the action you’re taking.
You know how you’ve started taking supplements in the past but aren’t really sure why. Because of a great ad, or a recommendation from a friend.
Or someone suggested reducing sugar would be good for your migraines but you couldn’t really see the difference….
This is how you can work out if what you’re doing is actually effective.
So, for example, if you have regular migraines, but make a shift in your diet and notice that it has helped reduce or eliminate them.
Or you start to include a supplement and notice it improves your sleep quality and overall energy.
Or you begin HRT and explore over time which of your symptoms have improved (and which may need additional attention).
Or you create a new sleep routine and notice you’ve got more energy for exercise.
Or you increase your exercise and notice you sleep better.
Or you focus on your gut health and your skin improves.
That’s the kind of thing that helps.
You just pay attention and make a daily note of how you’re feeling.
You can do this by using my download
Or use this alongside menopause health coaching with me to supercharge your well-being and improve your symptoms.
Book a 15 minute chat to find out more.