Lately, some Tiktok creators have discussed male and female hormones and their impact on our mood, lifestyle, and productivity. This discussion has led to some claiming that women’s 28-day hormone cycle is inherently unaligned with the expectations of the typical 9-5 grind. But how far is this claim really true?
Comparing male and female hormones
According to biology, men have a 24-hour hormone cycle while women have a 28-day one. Men’s testosterone cycles throughout the day, typically starting higher in the morning and lowering at night. On the other hand, women’s key hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, peak and lower at different times of the month.
This means that every 24 hours, men are rewarded with a new set of hormones, whereas women’s hormones constantly fluctuate throughout a 28-day period. For men, each day is more or less the same in terms of energy and mood, and they can wake up and do the same thing over and over, but this isn’t the case for women.
So if you’re a woman, don’t be surprised if your emotions and well-being feel like they’re on a rollercoaster: some days, you might feel more energetic and motivated, while on others, you may feel more tired and sluggish.
How could this impact your job?
The 9-5 workday requires its employees to turn up to the job motivated and be able to produce every day, with little to no care about their emotional well-being and how it might impact their ability to work.
Because of this, some have claimed that the 9-5 structure, whilst working in perfect harmony with men’s bodies, cannot possibly be any good for women, as our energy levels and hormones will naturally impact productivity. After taking this factor into consideration, it is no wonder that there are women all over the world feeling exhausted and unmotivated: they are trying to work around a system that just wasn’t designed for them.
How you can plan your work day around your hormone cycle
Menstruation is the period where the uterus sheds its thick lining, causing bleeding. This stage is notoriously difficult for many women due to period pain. This time is great for prioritizing tasks that require organization, like cleaning up your workspace.
After the period, you enter the follicular stage, where there is a strike in estrogen, making you feel upbeat and energized. This is a good time for taking inspired action toward new projects or tasks that require more concentration and effort.
Ovulation is the period where your ovary releases an egg, and the luteal phase is the period where levels of progesterone increase. These two stages will likely catapult you into a self-reflective and introverted mood, mostly due to hormonal fluctuations. This is the best period to asses your life and make vital decisions.
The 9-5 work structure may not be the best for women, but hopefully, with some planning and a few tweaks here and there, you can make your cycle work to your advantage rather than against it.
