Many things impact our daily energy levels, and with all those fluctuating hormone levels, cycles are definitely one contributing factor. To what extent you’ll be affected differs for everyone, but for those who need or want to adjust their routine during the month – tackling tough to-dos when your body is ready for them, and resting when your inner clock says it’s time to slow down – Structured‘s cycle tracking feature can help.

Eva-Charlotte Vonhof, illustrator at Structured, proposed the idea for the feature to the app’s founder, Leo Mehlig. Its inclusion is a notable addition to the planner app, and an acknowledgment that no two people plan and work in the same way.

We asked Vonhof for her tips on using the app to make the best of various cycle phases.

Typically, from day one of menstruating, your energy levels start to rise, peaking at ovulation. After that, you’re in the luteal phase, where energy begins to slowly decline and at its lowest point you’ll start menstruating again. With such big changes happening across an average of 28 days, planning tasks or downtime accordingly is key to feeling aligned with what’s happening in your body.

To make that planning easier, “this fluctuation can be visualised in four seasons, analogous to the seasons on Earth,” Vonhof tells us. Enable Cycle Seasons in Structured’s settings, and each calendar day will display the season in your cycle it corresponds to. On top of that, it gives suggestions for what to schedule and what to avoid.

Here’s a quick overview of Structured’s Cycle Seasons and how you can make the most of them:

1. Winter, or the Menstruation, is associated with low energy and mood swings. Vonhof recommends setting an intention for the new cycle, to focus on self-care and quality time alone.
2. Spring, or the Follicular Phase, is associated with fresh and creative energy, as well as higher sociability. Vonhof suggests starting new projects or brainstorming new ideas. This is also when you’re likely to be most comfortable with social events and getting to know new people.
3. Summer, or Ovulation, is associated with boosted self-confidence and high verbal skills. Vonhof says this phase is ideal for scheduling important meetings or presentations, as that’s when you’re likely the most confident.
4. Autumn, or the Luteal Phase, is associated with decreasing energy and lack of focus. Vonhof’s tip is to reflect on the past month and decide what you want to change or continue. It’s also a good time to sum up projects you’ve started at the beginning of your cycle.

Vonhof is happy with how practical the Structured cycle tracking feature turned out to be. Before conceiving of the idea, she says, “I had to constantly switch between my calendar and a menstruation app to calculate which phase I was in.”

Having a solution in a single space is enabling her, and many others who use the feature, to connect with themselves and their bodies – and set better boundaries in a society that glorifies work and achievement around the clock, forgetting that not everyone is wired in the same way.

Vonhof reflects, “Engaging with my cycle and my body along with observing my energy and resilience has helped me realise more quickly when something is out of balance and I should take a step back to protect my mental and physical health.”