How to start cycle syncing with Bára Kubinova, founder of Lively

You may have noticed an uptick in people talking about cycle syncing, but what exactly is it?

Healthline defines it as "when you change lifestyle habits like your diet or exercise routine to match the phases of your menstrual cycle" in an effort to better manage cycle symptoms and "become more in-tune with your hormonal needs."

This and making any lifestyle change may seem overwhelming, but luckily we're in the age of technology, and have tools like Lively to help guide you through cycle syncing.

"Making small lifestyle adjustments tailored to my cycle has created more balance, regularity, and control over how I feel," said Bára Kubinova, the app's founder. "I no longer experience the same degree of instability now that I work with my body's rhythms rather than fight against them."

"I always thought painful periods were just part of life, like the negative symptoms during our cycles. I believed I just had to accept the terrible pain and inability to work. After 15 years of migraines, throwing up, feeling nauseous, having digestive problems, and fainting each month, last year I'd finally had enough."

That's when she learned about harmonizing the body's natural rhythm and cycle with her lifestyle.

"I realized our daily habits — what we eat, how we move, the self-care we do — greatly affect our lives and cycles longterm."

Then she created Lively, an easy guide for those who want to optimize every day.

Keep reading for our Q+A with Bára for the details on this app and how to get started with cycle syncing.

A quick note from Bára: While I'm the founder of Lively, I'm neither a menstrual cycle expert nor a doctor. Moreover, I'm not the sole force behind this app. In fact, my need for a guide like the Lively app on my cycle syncing journey is partly why it exists. I truly believe in its benefits. Everything shared in this interview reflects my personal experience and perspective. Our bodies are incredible and operate uniquely for each individual. Please remember this as you read on. 

Q. What does cycle syncing entail? 

A. Cycle syncing involves aligning your overall lifestyle with the four different phases of your menstrual cycle ~ menstrual, follicular, ovulatory, luteal. Compared to men who operate on a 24-hour hormone cycle, women function on an approximately 28-day hormone cycle.

Cycle syncing literally means syncing your lifestyle to your body's natural menstrual rhythm. The science is based on how your hormones naturally fluctuate over the course of a month, affecting everything from sleep, to appearance (hair, skin, nails), to nutrition needs, desire for socializing or solitude, strength, energy, productivity, motivation, moods, and emotions.

Q. What is the goal of cycle syncing?

A. The goal is to get in sync with your body's natural rhythms and work with your hormones rather than against them. This can lead to overall wellbeing and hormone balance. Hormonal imbalances are unfortunately very common nowadays.

I always thought it was normal to have extremely painful periods. However, through learning about cycle syncing, I discovered that a body with balanced hormones experiences minimal discomfort during menstruation, no PMS, and greater emotional stability. A healthy, balanced hormonal system allows us to feel and function at our best throughout our cycle and make the most out of every single day.

Q. How does life improve by planning around your cycle? 

A. Overall, it brings more balance, productivity, and body awareness. For example, I now schedule important meetings and tasks during the higher-energy Follicular Phase. During the quieter Luteal Phase, I'll plan more self-care activities and me-time. Syncing also helps me anticipate and reduce PMS symptoms.

When I first wanted to start cycle syncing, I felt a bit lost on what to actually do day-to-day throughout my cycle. While researching, I couldn't find any solutions that were quick, easy, inexpensive, and aesthetically pleasing enough for me to stick with longterm. I wanted to create an app that solved those issues. We designed an intuitive app that women will enjoy using. Lively guides you seamlessly through your cycle with personalized tips and reminders.

Q. What are some key benefits of cycle syncing? 

A. There are so many advantages to cycle syncing, though it is quite individualized.

I used to feel very unstable - I even shared on the Lively website that some days I just felt like nothing made sense. I'd wake up feeling terrible, anxious, unmotivated, crying a lot. Then the very next day I'd be up early, doing yoga at sunrise, going for a morning jog, making a delicious breakfast, sparking new ideas at work, and laughing with colleagues. My mood would swing from one extreme to another. I was looking for something to help stabilize my energy, mood, motivation, and overall lifestyle. That's when I discovered the power of syncing my daily habits and routines to my menstrual cycle phases.

Now, I understand my hormonal fluctuations are naturally causing some of those ups and downs. By tapping into cycle tracking, I can anticipate and optimize each phase. For example, I indulge in more self-care during the Luteal Phase when I tend to feel more inwardly focused. Then during my Follicular Phase, I capitalize on the natural increase in energy and social motivation.

Q. If someone is interested, how should they start? How does the Lively App help? 

A. I recommend first taking some time to stop and observe your body and mind. If you feel like something is off, it's good to start tracking when those feelings and changes happen.

The Lively app helps give you an overview for each day of your cycle so you can identify patterns. You'll know what cycle day you're on, what phase you're in, when the next phase is coming, and what you should focus on that day, like nutrition, activity, self-care, etc.

Then Lively gives you customized tips and reminders to optimize each phase. Over time, you build awareness of your own rhythms and how to tailor your daily choices to honor your body. Lively simplifies and guides the process for true cycle syncing.

Ready to give it a try? Download the app. For more tips and to keep up with updates, follow Lively on Instagram.