Why you need to be extra cautious in Week 2 of your cycle

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22 Apr Why you need to be extra cautious in Week 2 of your cycle

Posted at 00:06h in hormonology tip, Week 2 by
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When you’re in Week 2 of your monthly cycle–which starts 8 days from the onset of menstruation–try to be more aware of your surroundings and keep a watchful eye out for danger.

For instance, pay closer attention to traffic so you don’t miss a car veering into your path. Keep your eye on a shady character lurking behind you. Or, if you’re like me and live in reptile-riddled Florida, watch out for snakes.

Here’s why

In the second half of your cycle–Week 3 and Week 4–you’re naturally more attuned to potential danger.

That’s the word from a bunch of studies (such as this one and this one) that show a rise in progesterone in your Week 3 makes you view people a bit more warily.

And from a 2012 study in the journal Scientific Reports that found plunging estrogen creates changes in the brain that amp up both anxiety and awareness of your environment, helping you spot potential problems faster.

However, in your la-de-da high-estrogen Week 2 when your mood is soaring, your optimism high and your curiosity about birds and clouds and rainbows and cute hotties and neat shiny things distract you, you’re more prone to missing important signs that danger looms.

Personally speaking, when I’m walking my dogs during my Week 2, I notice I’m far more distracted by amazing cloud formations or egrets flying overhead, often missing important stuff that’s right in front of me, like someone’s loose dog heading my way or a bump in the sidewalk that I ultimately go tumbling over.

Yet, during the second half of my cycle, my eyes are far more likely to be scanning for those kinds of problems or stuck to the ground looking out for one of those aforementioned Florida snakes.

And, thing is, I reeaallly hate snakes. So, you’d think that would be a major concern of mine all cycle long. But, nope. Once my Week 2 comes ’round, I notice those darned clouds and birds again–and have to remind myself to go back on snake patrol.

Hope this little tip helps you avert danger in your Week 2. Or at least explains why you didn’t see the pothole, missed your exit on the freeway or failed to notice your annoying co-worker walking up to you before you could make an escape.

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