Cycle check-in: Interestingly, I’m writing from my day 16 again (discovering a new cyclical pattern here?).
When doing my nice, little new moon ritual this morning, I felt particularly calm, at peace, aligned with myself, and comfy with going slow – something still challenging for me in this high-paced society and with a head full of ideas.
At the same time, I’m riding my ovulatory wave, and can feel the energy, outward focus, social inclinations and YES-mode.
These ‘opposing’ energies feel good together. And, I can feel they are what I currently need. If I’d be ovulating on a full moon, I think I’d totally loose myself right now. So, thank you dear intelligent cycles within and around me. I feel held by you.
Onto the topic of this blog: menstruation
Since new moon is the phase that corresponds with menstruation, and tomorrow is global menstrual health & hygiene day*, this seems the perfect moment for a blog on the importance of periods for our menstrual- and overall wellbeing.
*Menstrual Hygiene Day is internationally celebrated on 28 May to raise awareness for a #periodfriendlyworld, with the aims of:
- normalising conversations about menstruation,
- making good quality menstrual education, services and products accessible to everyone, and
- making sure that no one is unequally treated because they menstruate.
A LOT of work remains to be done here, so it’s great that stakeholders from different fields use this momentum to advocate for menstrual healthy & hygiene, highlight the systemic challenges and gaps that threaten it, and spotlight many inspiring initiatives.
No more taboo around menstruation please
On average, women & menstruators bleed 7 years of their life. That’s about 2,535 days. 60,840 hours. 3.65 million minutes.
Menstruation is part of a rhythm that provides for life. It connects all of us human beings together.
Yet, there’s a widespread cultural stigma around menstruation.
Menstruation is too often considered as inconvenient, dirty, and impure. A woman who can ignore her period is in many (working) environments considered as successful.
Over time, patriarchy created a widespread degradation of something that’s key to our power.
Many women have been taught to suppress their cycle, which has been causing physical, emotional and mental suffering (pre-)menstruation.
What if I tell you that your menstruation, your period, your bleeding time, is actually your most powerful time?
🩸 It is healthy, pure, releasing, cleansing, recharging, renewing, vulnerable, channeling, visionary, wild, and healing.
🩸 It is the cycle phase where you can access the fullest expression of your Self.
Why menstruation matters
6 reasons why menstruation is such an important occurence. They are not all-encompassing, but show the potential of menstruation and hopefully make you appreciate this time of the menstrual cycle more.
- Menstruation is a sign of health. When you are bleeding, you are fertile. Regular bleeding means your hormones are in balance, which is a sign of good health.
Menstruation is also an amazing monthly report card. It’s your personal, simple, non-dual, ánd cost-free measurement for your health; the colour, structure, amount, (dis)comfort, and regularity of your blood tells how you’ve been doing over the past cycle(s). - Menstruation is a time of release and cleansing – a physical and emotional detox. During bleeding time, we let go of what no longer serves us: old cells, mucus, toxins in our blood. This releases stress and tension from our being, allowing us to properly rest and repair. This possibility to bleed and detox each month is a blessing.
- Menstruation is a time of renewal, of death and rebirth. Menstruation is a physiological death in our body. It’s the visual and physical representation of the death of the unfertilised egg cell, corpus luteum, and parts of our endometrium. It marks a new beginning and gives the chance to start over, to set intentions, to re-align – every cycle again.
- Menstruation holds visionary capacity. During this time, our right and left brain hemispheres are most aligned. We are more intuitive. Research showed that the brainwaves of someone menstruating are those of experienced meditators of 20 years. Hence, we are more open to insights, dreams, imagination, and vision – which will also bring us clarity for the cycle ahead.
Disclaimer: this phase is only accessible if we don’t rush back into life. - Menstruation shows we are part of nature. The visible and tangible aspect of our blood remind us that we are part of nature. We’ve been domesticated as a species but our blood refuses to obey. Our blood reminds us that we are not linear, not machines. We are cyclical and wild.
- Menstruation is an instrument for healing, on a personal and on a global level. It invites us to slow down, to go inwards, to surrender, to connect with ourselves, to rest, to just be – things we tend to lack, but highly need. It is a time that runs counter to today’s society, and therefore it holds enormous potential for healing. It is a medicine for us, and this time.
“When we can observe our cycle as a continuous flow of in and out, we start to understand so much more about life itself, and how to navigate our emotions. It is such a relief and awakening.
It’s a gift to be a woman.” – Maria Peres
Practices to support your menstruation
I believe these 6 practices are key to respect your menstruation, to benefit from its powers, and to fall in love with this phase of your menstrual cycle.
- Take rest
Menstruation is thé most important time to take rest. Hormones are at their lowest, which is why energy is at its lowest. I don’t like comparing, but some people better understand when learning that female bodies work hormonally harder than male bodies, as they prepare each cycle for bringing life to a new being. That’s why female bodies need more rest.
Menstruation without rest is like fries without mayonaise.
Furthermore, Menstruation is thé most impactful time of our cycle to take rest (smart hé, such intelligent bodies we have) – recharging us for the cycle ahead. You can see it as taking a good night rest, recharging you for the day ahead. Shorter nights make unpleasant days. Naps can be of support (or rest during other menstrual cycle phases), but they don’t have the same effect as your night rest.
Rest at menstruation is a practice of embodied sustainability - Keep yourself warm.
Warmth helps your blood circulation. It supports menstrual pain too. - Welcome your bleed.
Cocoon, make it yourself comfortable, be grateful for this sign of health and fertility, create a little ritual, go slower, connect with nature, be kind and compassionate towards yourself, and ask your surrounding for support when needed. This doesn’t mean cancelling on all your responsibilities. It means making small shifts and giving ourselves a bit more space. We can always make a 1% change. - Be mindful of what you take in.
Protect yourself of your interactions and exposure (people, food, social media, etc). - Make space to be with your visionary power.
Create time to be alone, to go inwards, to observe your dreams and to receive direction. Also here, start small, find one hour throughout your menstruation, or ten minutes each bleeding day, and watch the magic unfold from there ✨ - Set intentions for your upcoming cycle
After tapping into the phase’s visionary capacity and receiving downloads, set intentions. What would you like to focus on this cycle? What does your body need, on a physical, emotional and energetic level? Is there a theme that rose for you?
To close, some questions for reflecting:
🌀Reflection prompts:
- How does this content land with you?
- What was your view on and experience with menstruation?
- Does reading this blog change anything about that?
- How would you like to experience your menstruation in the future?
- Which of the above mentioned practices would you like to create space for?
I wish this blog inspired your view on menstruation and why we need a period friendly world for all.
I’d love to hear your thoughts, experiences and insights. Do share in the comments or via the contact page 💜
WANT SUPPORT?
In my workshops, circles, and 1:1 sessions, I help you becoming body literate, understanding the shifts happening within your menstrual cycle, and aligning your lifestyle with your inner rhythms – so you can build on the powers of your intelligent body and cyclical being. Ultimately, I guide you in embracing the fulness of who you are, and stepping into your unique power. If you want support, have a look at my services or reach out directly via the contact page.
With love,
Stéphanie 🌞🌙
Awareness. Embodiment. Alignment. Transformation.
