These 5 Reasons Are Why We're Tracking Our Cycles EVERY Month
We’ve written before about how to make the best period calendarwhy it’s so important to track your period?
The most obvious reason is so your period doesn’t sneak up on you. But keeping track of your cycle comes with many benefits. No matter what phase of life you’re in, it’s important to be savvy about your period. Especially since it comes once a month for forty years of your life (on average). There’s so much that we can learn about ourselves during this time. The reasons may surprise you.
When You’ll Get It - Understand Your Flow
Let’s be real, ‘one size fits all’ is a lie. We’re all different and that goes for your period as well. While 28 days is the average number of a cycle, it may not be your average. Your period could start sooner than the standard, or later, and that’s perfectly fine.
In fact, an average cycle can be anywhere from 24 to 38 days. These days can fluctuate unless you’re on birth control or another hormonal method which regulates your period.
It’s totally normal that you don’t hit 28 days for your cycle each time. But, if you find that you have an extra heavy period or frequently skip periods, it may be time to see a gynecologist. Which brings us to our next point.
Your Menstrual Health + Wellness
When you track your cycle over a long period of time, you become aware of how long it’s expected to last and what to expect before the day of the main event. If you find that your period deviates significantly from your normal, then it’s worth going to a doctor to see if you’re healthy and don’t have an underlying condition.
Always better safe than sorry!
You should make it a point to see your gyno yearly. Of course, always check in sooner if you suspect something is wrong. And remember to make a list of everything you’re concerned about before you go. That way, if going to the doctor makes you feel nervous, you’re prepared.
Fertility
If you’re at a point in your life where you’re trying to plan a family, it’s especially important to track your cycle. Instead of tracking when your period will start, you’ll be focusing on when you ovulate. And if you’re not trying to have a family, it’s still good to know because you’ll know which days to avoid being intimate to prevent pregnancy.
If you find you have a shorter-than-average cycle or have concerns about getting pregnant, remember you don’t have to go it alone. Talk to your doctor. They’ll give you healthy tips on nutrition and supplements to help you reach your goal in the best way possible.
Changes in Mood
Do you find yourself feeling more angry or anxious at certain times of your cycle? Do you experience insomnia or bursts of energy?
Sometimes it feels like everything is so overwhelming, when really, it could just be close to your period. It’s always good to know where your feelings are coming from - whether you feel like crying, or you’re on edge, or angry - you can take comfort in the fact that it’s not you. It really is as simple as your cycle.
Make a note for yourself on your period calendar to see when in your cycle you may be a little more sensitive than usual. That way you can take a breath and focus on self-care.
Energy Level
Do you find that your energy levels tend to fluctuate during your cycle? Obviously we all feel depleted when we’re menstruating. But have you considered when you feel your most energized in your cycle?
The first day of your cycle is when your estrogen levels rise which causes energy to spike. You may feel more social. It’s also a great time to exercise and get your to-do list done.
Your energy levels are at their peak during ovulation and tend to slowly decrease leading up to menstruation again.
Some people are so good at tracking their cycles, they practice a technique called cycle syncing. We’ll definitely talk more about that and show you how to make your cycle work for you.
Did you learn something new from our list? If you’ve tracked your cycle for a long time, what are some things that surprised you about it?
What are some things you wish you had known before tracking your cycle? What tips or tricks would you give to your younger self when it comes to your period? Tell us all about it in the comments! We love to hear your stories.
