It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking about being ‘on’ or ‘off’ your period. But our cycles don’t just affect us on the days of the month when we’re menstruating.

The rise and fall of oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone during the whole month affect our brain’s energy levels and therefore our productivity and performance.
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So start thinking about the month in 4 phases not 2
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Not all women menstruate, but many women who are in the prime phase of starting and growing a business are still getting their periods. If this is you, this post is for you! During the four phases of your cycle, hormones fluctuate, affecting the brain. By understanding and recognising this, you can tailor your schedule to take advantage of hormonal changes when they occur.
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Menstruation phase

Hormone levels are at an all time low here so get lots of R&R, minimise anything that doesn’t give you energy and be kind to yourself!
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Follicular phase

The increase in oestrogen means you have more energy. Now is a good time to crack on with creative or complex tasks and projects. And the great news is, this phase lasts an average of 2 weeks so there’s plenty of time to finish the tasks too!
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Ovulation phase

In these 3 - 4 days you’ll likely feel more proactive. This is the time to book important meetings and embrace the extroverted energy the hormones trigger.
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Luteal phase

The calming effect of progesterone during these 2 weeks means you might prefer to reduce your work commitments and re-prioritise self-care. Alone time to complete solo tasks like admin is also best taken during this phase.