Your body goes through different changes each month. Lining up your self-care with these changes can feel like having your own spa. Cycle syncing lets you change your relaxation, skincare, and wellness routines to match the four parts of your cycle: period, follicular, ovulation, and luteal. Think of it as a natural self-care plan that goes with your hormones.
1. Period (Days 1-5): Rest Up
When you’re on your period, your body needs more rest since hormone levels (estrogen and progesterone) are low. This can make you tired and give you cramps (Cleveland Clinic). Now’s the time to chill out and enjoy relaxing self-care. A bath with lavender and chamomile oils can help with cramps and make you feel calm. Use a heating pad to help with period pain. Use a face mask with aloe vera or honey to calm your skin, since it might be sensitive. Warm foods with iron, like soups and teas, help get back lost nutrients (Mayo Clinic). Foods with magnesium, like chocolate and bananas, can help with cramps.
2. Follicular Phase (Days 6-14): Time to Shine
As estrogen goes up, you feel better, so it’s a good time to freshen up your self-care (Johns Hopkins Medicine). This part is about starting fresh, so it’s good to fix your skincare, try new stuff, and do things that make you happy. Use a sugar scrub with citrus to make your skin feel new. Masks with vitamin C or turmeric can make your skin look better. A light massage can help blood flow and stop swelling. Fruits and proteins help with your energy. Foods like yogurt help your stomach, which can make your skin look better (Verywell Health).
3. Ovulation Phase (Days 15-17): Feel Great
When estrogen is high, you feel good, so it’s like a spa day. It’s also a good time to hang out with friends, like going to a spa or doing fun beauty things (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists). Use hyaluronic acid to keep your skin fresh. A hair treatment can make your hair look strong. Smells like jasmine can make you feel good. Foods like berries help your skin. Proteins keep your energy up.
4. Luteal Phase (Days 18-28): Relax Time
As progesterone goes up, you might have PMS like bloating. Now’s the time to take care of yourself and relax (Mayo Clinic) Epsom Salt Bath helps muscles relax and stops bloating. Tea can help with cramps and make you feel calm. Yoga helps deal with stress. Foods with magnesium (pumpkin seeds, chocolate) help with PMS. Foods like sweet potatoes help with mood swings.
Make Your Own Spa Day
Use apps to know where you are in your cycle. Do face things when you’re in the follicular and ovulation phases and do easy things when you’re on your period. Let your self-care go with your energy.
By matching your self-care to your cycle, you make a spa that takes care of your body. Cycle syncing isn’t just about self-care, it’s about self-love, and you deserve it!
About The Author: Hi! I’m Kayla. I’m a 10th Grader at East Ridge High school and I currently do Color Guard and DECA. My favorite color is pink and love researching and informing others! In the future, I hope to become a neuropsychologist. I also love singing, dancing, and living life! Period