Hormonal Intelligence for Moms and Daughters

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Oct 31

Are you tired of feeling exhausted, burnt out, and frustrated when motherhood demands you show up the same way every single day? You are not broken—you're just not working with your body's natural rhythm!

I recently had a transformative conversation with Alyx Coble-Frakes, a period entrepreneur and the founder of The Agenda Period. Alyx helps women understand the phases of their menstrual cycle to boost their overall health, wellness, and productivity.

Alyx's "aha" moment came when she realized she had higher sales during her ovulation phase. This discovery led her down a rabbit hole, finding a study where women made up to 30% more in tips during ovulation compared to other cycle phases. The reason? It’s all due to the powerful, yet often ignored, hormonal shift that happens every month.

The Two Halves: Pro-Social vs. Pro-Self

For moms who feel overwhelmed by the idea of tracking four distinct phases, Alyx suggests a simpler starting point: understanding the two halves of your cycle.

The First Half (Menstrual to Ovulation) is Pro-Social.

Your body is designed to seek connection during this time. Estrogen works with serotonin and dopamine (happy chemicals). You’ll find it easier to parent, socialize, sell, and be patient with loud kiddos. The key takeaway for the first half is to Go Out and Connect!

The Second Half (Luteal Phase) is Pro-Self.

Your body becomes protective, turning your energy inward. Hormones drop, and you become more self-focused. This is when you can feel sensitive or nitpicky, as your brain seeks clarity and completion. The key takeaway for the second half is to Turn Inward and Complete!

This awareness alone can eliminate a huge amount of mom guilt. When your kids drive you crazy during the second half of the cycle, it’s not a parenting failure; it’s a biological function of your body trying to accomplish a different task.

The Four Seasons: A Self-Care Blueprint 🌷☀️🍂❄️

To fully optimize your month, Alyx uses the framework of the four inner seasons, which also acts as a perfect self-care blueprint:

❄️ Inner Winter (Menstrual Phase)

Energy Focus: Hibernate, Internal, Quiet.
Optimize: Dream & Vision. Prioritize quiet time, cozy food, and time alone. Use this time to plan the month ahead.

🌷 Inner Spring (Follicular Phase)

Energy Focus: Excited, Energy Revs Up, Busy Bee.
Optimize: Execute the Plan. Go to meetings, network, and launch new projects. Caution: Don't overschedule yourself for the next phase!

☀️ Inner Summer (Ovulation Phase)

Energy Focus: Magnetic, Hot, Potent.
Optimize: Ask & Connect. Great for high-stakes social interactions, asking for raises, booking vacations, and family photos.

🍂 Inner Autumn (Luteal Phase)

Energy Focus: Internal Clarity (CEO Time) then Sensitive.
Optimize: Wrap Up & Clear Clutter. Organize, clear the email inbox, and finish projects. This focused completion prevents frustration and "nagginess."

Self-Care Tip: Remember that self-care changes with the season! In your Winter, self-care is a cozy book. In your Spring/Summer, self-care is trying new things and hanging out with friends (pro-social!). In your Autumn, self-care is organizing a drawer or finally clearing that pile of mail (pro-self!).

The Crucial Connection: Hormones and Your Brain

Alyx provided crucial insights for anyone who struggles with focus or mood:

Hormones and Neurotransmitters: When estrogen drops during the luteal phase, you lose the support that helps dopamine and serotonin function. This is why symptoms of depression, anxiety, or ADHD can feel significantly worse.
Metabolism & Food: Your metabolism speeds up during the luteal phase, meaning you need about 20% more calories. If you restrict food during this time, your body will rebel with intense cravings and potentially binge eating.
Exercise: Focusing on hard cardio all month long drives up cortisol (stress hormone), which can make PMS and other symptoms much worse.

Overcoming Overwhelm: Focus on the Fundamentals

If tracking all four seasons feels too detailed, Alyx encourages you to start simple: understand the two halves and commit to tracking.

Start Tracking: Give yourself five minutes a day to check in on your mood and energy. Start counting Day 1 on the first day of your period.
Find the Pattern: By tracking, you connect the dots between your symptoms (like a migraine or a rush of energy) that are 30 days apart, turning random, frustrating events into predictable patterns you can support.

Your cycle is a sophisticated communication tool, not a monthly hindrance. It’s time to stop fighting it and start leveraging it as your superpower to live a more balanced, productive, and joyful life