The other day I was listening to a podcast on fasting. Dr. Mindy Pelz is my current hero and she focuses on the different approach women need to take for health because men and women are totally different and have different needs. (Duh.)
She said (and she said this as a card carrying feminist)… that society is built for men. Men, who have a 24 hour hormone cycle. Men, who thrive on competition. Men, who get a boost of testosterone every 15 minutes of the day. Women are NOT built for a male dominated society. And by that I’m mostly focusing on business. Constant productivity, constant competition, constant cortisol spikes. Women deal with testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. Some parts of the month we need to rest and take things slow. Some parts of the month we are ready to take on the world. But women thrive on collaboration, not competition. It’s no wonder over 50% of the people who suffer from autoimmune diseases are women. We are trying to fit into a world built for men. And it’s hurting us.
Dr. Mindy recommends women take a break the week before their cycle begins. She has different lengths of fasting recommended for different times. When progesterone is on the rise women need to step back and be more reclusive. When estrogen takes over women will feel more social. Things ebb and flow and if we learn to listen to our bodies it will lead to a more successful, productive, fulfilling life.
(I am aware not everyone can take a break, you might have kids or a high pressure career or countless other things that demand your time and focus and energy. My point is that while things work a certain way doesn’t mean they SHOULD be working that way. And if you are interested in cycle syncing your life I recommend Dr. Mindy Pelz for guidance in that area.)
Redheaded Jill 
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