Returning to Balance
Reclaiming My Rhythm: Day 2 of My Cycle
A Journey Through My Cycle
Today is Day 2 of my menstrual cycle — the beginning of a new chapter, both in my body and in my intentions. I’m starting a 3-month blog and video series to track how my body responds to intentional support around hormone balance, brain health, and emotional regulation. This is a story I’ve lived quietly for a long time and now feels like the moment to share how I’m working on coming back into balance with my body.
Background on My Health:
About a year ago, I had two seizures. One of them was followed by a 44-day menstrual cycle, the longest I’d ever experienced. That experience cracked something open in me — it felt like my body was trying to speak to me in a language I was just starting to understand.
About two years prior, I had stopped taking hormonal birth control. My cycles were already inconsistent, but after that seizure, I realized just how dysregulated my endocrine system had become. I believe that the combination of post-birth control hormone shifts, low progesterone, and a likely concussion from a ski accident all contributed to that moment of breakdown.
Looking back, I think my seizures may have been linked to my cycle — especially the luteal phase, when progesterone is supposed to rise. Progesterone is known to be protective for the brain, and when it’s too low, symptoms like migraines, emotional instability, and even seizures can show up. This connection between hormones and the nervous system is what I’m exploring more deeply now.
Other Threads of My Health:
I’ve had eczema my entire life, which I suspect points to liver sluggishness and systemic inflammation. It gets triggered by refined processed sugars, eggs, stress, and sleep deprivation.
I’ve experienced symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) since I was 10 years old and still experience obsessive thoughts and compulsive tendencies under stress. I received my official diagnosis in 2021.
I’m a sexual assault survivor and I feel that I experience HPA-axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) dysregulation and PTSD symptoms.
What I’m Exploring Through This Blog Series
For my next three menstrual cycles, I’ll be posting a short video and reflection every day, sharing what I’m noticing in my body, mind, and heart.
My goals are to:
Rebuild a healthy, predictable rhythm in my cycle
Support my brain health and reduce PMS-related migraines
Ease the tension between my nervous system and hormonal cycles
Deepen my relationship with my body’s natural wisdom
I’ll be using herbs, nutrients, food, and ritual to support myself — and I’ll be sharing everything I learn along the way.
What I’m Taking + Why
Chasteberry Supplement
Helps my body communicate between the brain and ovaries, especially to increase natural progesterone production after ovulation. I’m reintroducing it at a lower dose after it caused an overly short cycle in January (10-day cycle).
Liver Health Supplement
Support liver detox, reduce inflammation, and help my body clear excess estrogen, which I suspect is contributing to my symptoms, especially eczema.
Magnesium
For migraines, sleep, and progesterone support — also calms the nervous system, which is huge for my OCD and emotional regulation.
Vitamin D3
To keep my immune system, energy, and mood more stable during Seattle’s darker seasons.
NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine)
Supports glutamate balance, detoxification, and impulse control, especially helpful for managing OCD and possible seizure risk.
Foods I’m Focusing On
I’ll be prioritizing:
Cruciferous veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, kale) for estrogen detox
Zinc-rich foods (pumpkin seeds, lentils) for skin, hormones, and immunity
Healthy fats (avocados, salmon, olive oil, seeds) to stabilize blood sugar and support hormone production
Slow carbs (sweet potatoes, quinoa, beets) to balance energy and mood
Herbal tea infusions to support emotional regulation and hormone balance
I’ll also be exploring cycling seeds and teas depending on what phase of my cycle I’m in — more on that later.
What This Is Really About
At the heart of this journey is a desire to reclaim my rhythm — to understand how my hormones, brain, emotions, and spirit move through time together.
I believe our bodies have intelligence that goes deeper than diagnosis or data. I believe our bodies inherently know how to heal and ask for what they need. By documenting my process, maybe someone else who feels foggy, disconnected, or out of sync might find something useful in the unfolding of mine.
Thank you for being here. Tomorrow, I’ll post about my Day 3 reflections, how my body feels, and the rituals I’m doing this week to honor the shedding phase of my cycle.
With love,
Jessica