Infradian Rhythm : 3 Ways Women Need to Work & Exercise to It
In our pursuit of balanced energy levels, have you ever paused to consider synchronising your lifestyle with your body’s natural rhythms?
As an Energy Optimisation Coach, I delve into the intricacies of resetting energy levels, with a focus on an often-overlooked element—the ‘Infradian Rhythm’.
While the circadian rhythm governs our daily sleep-wake cycle, the Infradian Rhythm cycle operates on a broader scale, extending beyond 24 hours to encompass periods lasting up to a month or even an entire season. This extended biological clock offers a spectrum of opportunities for adaptive living, enabling us to optimise our performance across various facets of life.
When a woman looks at the viewpoint of her world as governed by a 28 day cycle and not 24 hours she becomes empowered to make adjustments to her lifestyle that are in sync with her biology.
A revelation from Flo Living, a specialist in hormone health, underscores the dynamic nature of the women’s brain’s chemical composition, undergoing up to a 25% change over the course of just one month. This insight challenges the prevailing societal norm of relentless productivity, prompting us to listen when our bodies signal a need for rest.
In a world predominantly structured around the circadian 24 hour rhythm—a rhythm tailored to the male experience—women often find themselves navigating a landscape incongruent with their natural inclinations. However, our menstrual cycle serves as a guiding force, leading us through a seamless 4-week biological calendar that effortlessly harmonises with our body’s intrinsic flow.
Let’s explore three adaptable strategies that cater to women’s unique needs within this Infradian Rhythm cycle:
1. Workplace Harmony: Redefining the 9-to-6 Culture
Traditional office hours are often aligned with the circadian rhythm, featuring a peak in the morning, a midday break, and a gradual wind-down in the afternoon. Shifting our focus to a 4-week cycle encourages strategic planning of significant projects and deadlines during weeks of higher energy.
Conversely, weeks of lower energy present an opportunity for lighter tasks. Utilising tools like ‘MyFlo’ empowers women to monitor their cycles, facilitating effective productivity planning. Moreover, managers can play a pivotal role by acknowledging and accommodating the nuanced needs of both women and men in the workplace. Lets be real that not everything placed in our calendar can perfectly fit in weeks that suits us but adding an awareness to this can help us in creating our ideal calendar for productivity.
2. Mindful Movement: Adapting Fitness to the Infradian Rhythm Cycle
Traditional exercise regimens are often structured around daily achievements, emphasising what can be accomplished within a single day. However, adopting the Infradian cycle lens prompts a more thoughtful approach.
Integrating weeks of restorative yoga with periods of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) acknowledges the fluctuating energy levels throughout the month. This tailored approach respects the cyclical nature of the body, optimising fitness endeavours.
I’ve found that when my clients know there is a scheduled week of low impact and ‘yin’ style movement, they are more able to take it up a notch on the weeks where their energy levels support it.
3. Nourishing Nutrition: Supporting Hormonal Balance
Understanding hormonal fluctuations empowers women to make informed nutritional choices. Identifying weeks of impending hormonal shifts enables the incorporation of foods that support hormonal balance, such as Maca and magnesium-rich options.
Additionally, incorporating adaptogens like Ashwagandha, which support the adrenals responsible for managing stress hormones, during specific weeks can enhance overall well-being.
I also bring in techniques like seed cycling which aims to balance hormones and remove excess estrogen to consider which weeks require more warming winter food and those that require lighter summer styles.
As we embrace the unique rhythms of our individual bodies, we transcend the limitations of one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead of succumbing to frustration and overwhelm, let us embark on a journey of personalised adjustments that honour and align with our body’s distinct needs.
Explore my YouTube page for a brief video delving deeper into this topic, and join the conversation on nurturing balanced energy through the Infradian Rhythm!
