Dressing with your menstrual cycle in mind
Is dressing for where you are in your cycle something that you do?
You might never have noticed, or maybe you have your favourite comfy go-to ‘period pants’ or perhaps it’s more of a subconscious thing (but now you think about it maybe you do!)?
Changes during your cycle
In perimenopause, changes in your cycle are common. As I write this, it is day 29 of my cycle and I am due to start my period this week. My cycle is a little bit longer this time. I track my symptoms - changes in mood, sleep, appetite and so I can see that I ovulated two weeks ago.
Stress can have a part to play in this lengthier cycle too, influenced by the busy Christmas period and the challenges that we have been facing since the early to mid December. Along with the festive season comes the increase in sugary Christmas snacks (and I don’t even want to mention the ‘L’) which all affect our hormone balance which may make our cycle out of whack.
This week I want to feel comfy. I spent yesterday in yoga pants which is unusual for me, because even when working from home I dress as if I am going into the office (be it a very casual office) jeans and possibly a jacket over my t-shirt on my fancy days.
I did have a moment yesterday where I was telling myself I was slipping into an abyss of not getting dressed but then I told Hilda (that’s what I call my nagging inner mean voice) to give it a rest and it is all good, I can dress in my yoga pants on Day 29 of my cycle if I want to.
Menstrual seasons - Why is Day 29 a comfy clothes kinda day?
Day one of our period is day one of our cycle. You can think about our cycle as seasons and if you do then your period would be Winter - our hormones are telling us to cosy up and take it easy. Comfy clothes, layers, jumpers and wraps a plenty.
The week after our period is our Spring - we are starting to come out of hibernation and make plans for the Summertime, starting to feel a bit brighter and ready for ovulation. Maybe venture out from underneath the wrap with a t-shirt and jeans combo.
In our Summer time we want to dance and be free (OK Boris, I know, I know), we are full of energy, our hormones want us confident and sociable and we are fertile. Tight jeans are looking great, maybe a strappy top and a jacket. Bright colours and our dangliest earrings are a must.
The week before our period is our Autumn, we are getting ready to slow the pace, starting to relax and reflect on how great Summer was. Maybe the colours turn more autumnal (love anything orange) and less fussy.
This is a simplified version of a 28 day cycle which is by no means ‘normal’ . Whatever is usual for you is ‘normal’ and for some women varying cycle length from month to month is ‘normal’.
So day 29 is pretty much getting ready to shut the door of the cave and get snuggled down. Yoga pants and a velvet snuggly jumper is completely appropriate Hilda.
Cycle tracking - Do you track your cycle?
Tracking means that you know what is usual during your month, even if on hormonal contraception, and whether that is ‘put-up-with-able’. Just because symptoms are usual for you, think about whether that has always been the case, when did you notice a change in how you felt.
These things often don’t happen overnight, you don’t usually wake up one morning and start to have bad PMS. If you think back there have probably been a few symptoms creeping in, getting more noticeable every month. What used to be a couple of days before your period may now be a week before your period or maybe is it only one week of the month that you are feeling like ‘you’ recently?
How can you work with your cycle?
When I am working with clients, tracking is important to get to work on any imbalances. Knowing where you are at, means that you can make clear changes to bring back balance.
If this feels like something you’d like to explore, you can work with me to understand your cycle and work with your body to bring back balance. Send me a quick email tammy@sevencoloursofnutrition.com to book a free hormone balance intro call.
Written by Tammy Gee, Nutritional TherapistDipION, mBANT, CNHC (in her comfy pants) x
