Lunar Cycles, Hormones, and Your Business Advantage

Ah, the Moon! As the faithful regulator of ocean tides, reliable keeper of time, and once-thought cause of madness, the moon has fascinated humans for centuries.

One of the many myths surrounding the moon is that it influences hormone cycles, specifically menstruation. This article explores whether or not this myth is true, as well as how understanding the Moon’s cycles may give small business owners and entrepreneurs an edge in planning success.

The Moon and Its Phases

The Moon, made of iron and other metallic substances, is Earth’s only natural satellite. The beautiful visual spectacle it performs in the night sky corresponds to its proximity to the Earth and the Sun. Selenologists have recognized four primary phases of the Moon that occur in a cycle that takes approximately 29.5 days to complete.

The New Moon phase occurs when the Moon is between the sun and the Earth. This positioning enshrouds the Moon in shadow so that it appears absent from the night sky. As the moon orbits the Earth, the sun increasingly reflects off its surface, causing the Moon to “wax” into its famed crescent shape. The First Quarter Moon phase occurs when the Moon appears from Earth to be half-full. Waxing continues until the sun eventually illuminates the entire Earth-facing surface of the Moon, resulting in the glorious Full Moon phase that often brings visible light to the night sky. From there, the opposite process occurs: the Moon appears to “wane” until it is, once again, half-full (the Third Quarter Moon phase) and eventually reaches the New Moon phase again.

In addition to being transfixing to watch, the orbit of the Moon also influences Earth’s gravity and light in such a way that it regulates the tides, prompts various animals to migrate, and also is thought to possibly influence human hormones.

Lunar Cycles and Women

Since the Moon and menstruation follow clear cycles of four primary phases within the same approximate duration of 29.5 days, it is little surprise that we wonder if they are connected.

Menstruation tends to mimic the Moon in that hormones wax and wane at regular intervals. During menstruation, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are at their lowest levels. Hormone levels increase during the follicular phase as the ovaries and uterus prepare for pregnancy, peak at ovulation when the eggs are released, and then, if pregnancy does not occur, begin to decline into the luteal phase that eventually results, once again, in menstruation. With this in mind, monthly fluctuations in energy, fatigue, and pesky PMS symptoms make sense.

Despite the similarities between lunar and menstrual cycles, modern science disputes a direct correlation, recognizing that menstrual dates fall randomly throughout the month and can vary based on race and ethnicity. However, this may have not always been the case. We know that changes in light affect human hormones; in the absence of artificial light, perhaps there once was a direct connection between menstruation and the Moon that we have largely lost.

While only time will tell what science will confirm for us in the future, Niall mccrae , author of The Moon and Madness, identifies an opportunity to learn from nature and the Moon regardless of a lack of a direct connection. McCrae states that “the Moon does not have a noticeable impact on most people’s lives most of the time, but we cannot rule out the possibility of its role among various environmental factors that might affect our sleep, moods, and vitality.”

Lunar Cycles and Men

While they are often left out of such discussions, people who do not menstruate are also impacted by hormone cycles and shifts. some studies show that men’s brains and circadian rhythms may be more sensitive to light than those of women, as well as that blood concentrations of melatonin may be lower in the days before a full moon.

This means that men, like women, may experience less sleep around the full moon phase.

Leveraging Cycles for Business

What might this knowledge mean for business? Whether you are a male-bodied or female-bodied individual, environmental and hormonal cycles can regularly influence our levels of alertness and productivity. Taking the time to chart your patterns may provide you with a blueprint for planning your month.

Below is a suggestion for how small business owners may choose to regulate their month to match their energy cycles.

New Moon or Menstruation:

This is an excellent time for rebirth, renewal, and reflection. Your hormone and energy levels will likely benefit from additional rest. Consider using this time to step back from action items, take inventory, and journal about the next month. If you can take a day or two off, go for it. And don’t forget to take advantage of your increased melatonin and darker environment by getting extra sleep.

Quarter Moon or Follicular Phase:

As hormones and light increase, so will your personal innovation. This phase is an excellent time for project planning based on the insights you gained during the New Moon/menstruation phase. Decide what you need to do next in your business, write down the steps and needed supplies, and start taking action to get things done.

Full Moon or Ovulation:

This stage heightens creativity, work, and vitality. Take advantage of the extra energy by planning business meetings and other public interactions during this time. This phase is also a great time to plan big deadlines and push projects forward. While we don’t recommend sleep deprivation, don’t fault yourself if decreased melatonin levels cause you to need slightly less time between the sheets (more time for projects during this phase is A-okay, especially since slower stages are right around the corner).

Quarter Moon or Luteal Phase:

As things settle down, tie up any loose ends on projects. Begin to reflect on your month’s work and embrace the natural slowing down of your energies and events. Your mind may feel calmer and slower; embrace it.

As you likely suspect, the above pattern will not work for every person regardless of gender. That said, it does provide an example of how natural rhythms can inspire and structure the otherwise abstract world of entrepreneurialism. Once you figure out your pattern, don’t hesitate to mark your personal phases in your business or scheduling calendar and start shifting tasks, projects, and deadlines accordingly.

Before you can take advantage of the pattern that works best for you, you’ll want to spend a few months tracking your health and productivity patterns. For menstrual cycles, apps such as clue , flo , and maya can be helpful tools. There’s also always the tried-and-true pen and pad of paper method.

The Moon and You

The Moon will always be a subject of mystique; yet, even if the connection between lunar cycles, hormones, and menstruation remains unclear, it provides an impetus for learning to work within, and not against, our biology. Perhaps by embracing natural cycles, we can achieve better business flow and productivity.

In some ways, looking to the Moon for a business productivity pattern is like hiring a free business coach; it establishes a formula for regulating work and rest cycles and is a great way to remind you that you don’t need to (and likely shouldn’t) work at 100% all of the time to be successful.

WRITTEN BY: KATIE BARNETT