Moon Phases and Your Body

The new moon is when the moon is invisible in the sky. It's the beginning of the cycle, a symbolic "reset." Energy in nature and in your body is at its lowest.

How this might feel:

• Sleep: You might want to sleep longer, even if you got enough rest. You may feel sluggish, drowsy, with difficulty getting up in the morning.
• Appetite: Often decreases, especially for heavy foods. You crave light soups, porridge, water.
• Energy: Activity level is minimal. If the full moon has us "at our peak," the new moon puts us at the bottom. Don't rush yourself.

What to do during the new moon:

• ⭐ Allow yourself more rest. If possible—go to bed an hour earlier.
• ⭐ Don't start grand projects. Better to take stock, make plans (but not act on them yet).
• ⭐ It's easy to fast or do a cleanse day, if you have no contraindications.

A small practice: Light a candle in silence. Write a list of what you want to "let go of" (habits, fears, obligations). Fold the paper and put it away until the next phase.

The full moon is when the moon is fully illuminated. Energy reaches its peak, but anxiety, insomnia, and mood swings can come crashing in along with it.

How this might feel:

• Sleep: Hard to fall asleep, sleep is shallow, you wake frequently. Vivid, memorable dreams. Many people complain about insomnia specifically during the full moon.
• Appetite: Often increases, especially cravings for sweets and high-calorie foods. The key is not to beat yourself up, just observe.
• Energy: Emotions are running high. You want to do things, create, socialize—but you're also easily irritated. It's a time for conflicts, but also creative breakthroughs.

What to do during the full moon:

• ⭐ Don't schedule important "serious" conversations if you can postpone them.
• ⭐ Don't overeat in the evening—it'll make sleep worse. Keep dinner light.
• ⭐ If you can't sleep, don't lie there thinking "I have to fall asleep." Get up, read, drink some water. Sometimes during the full moon, 5 hours of sleep is enough.
• ⭐ Wrap things up. The full moon is a good time to put a period on projects that have dragged on.

A small practice: Write a list of your accomplishments over the past two weeks (even small ones). Thank yourself. This helps channel excess energy into gratitude rather than anxiety.

Between the new moon and full moon, the moon is waxing. This is when energy is building. It's a good time to start new things, make plans, exercise, meet new people.

After the full moon, when the moon is waning, energy is declining. This is a time for completion, cleansing, letting go of what no longer serves you. Better to eat less, sleep more, throw out old things.

Each phase in brief:

During the new moon, energy is at its minimum. Sleep is deep, you want to sleep longer. Appetite is usually reduced, making it easier to stick to light foods or even a cleanse day. Best activities—rest, planning, quiet time.

During the waxing moon, energy gradually increases. Sleep becomes solid and restorative. Appetite is normal or slightly elevated. This is the ideal time to start projects, move more, meet new people.

During the full moon, energy peaks. Sleep often deteriorates: hard to fall asleep, sleep is shallow, vivid dreams. Appetite increases, especially cravings for sweets and high-calorie foods. Good for wrapping things up, channeling emotions into safe outlets (creativity, sports, talking with a friend), but avoid serious conflicts.

During the waning moon, energy declines. Sleep gradually improves, falling asleep becomes easier. Appetite decreases, making this phase a good time for body cleansing and diets. Best for tidying the house, getting rid of unnecessary things, finishing what you started long ago.

To understand how the moon affects you specifically, you don't need to wait decades. One month of observation is enough.

You'll need: a notebook (or notes on your phone), 2 minutes per day.

What to write down each evening:

• Moon phase (you can check in the MoonX app).
• What time you went to bed and how long you slept (approximately).
• How you fell asleep: easily, with difficulty, did you dream?
• Appetite: increased, decreased, any specific cravings?
• Energy: morning, afternoon, evening—rate on a scale from 1 to 5.

After a month, flip through your notes. You'll be surprised to discover that your insomnia often happens during the full moon, and so does your desire to eat cake. And that during the new moon, you really are better off doing light stretching rather than running a marathon.

This won't make you a slave to the moon. On the contrary, it gives you permission not to demand peak performance from yourself on "quiet" days and to use the energetic surge during the full moon for creativity (but without forcing it).

Our bodies are part of nature. They remember rhythms that civilization tries to drown out with artificial light, 24-hour stores, and deadlines.

Returning to the lunar cycle isn't escapism—it's restoring a healthy dialogue with yourself. You're not obligated to meet the standard of "always being productive." Allow yourself to sleep more during the new moon, forgive yourself for that extra bite during the full moon, and during the waning moon—throw out old makeup without making excuses.

The moon is your gentle calendar. It's not rushing anywhere. And you can take your time along with it.

P.S. Start keeping a lunar journal today—what phase is it now? Write about your current state in the comments if you'd like. Your observation might help another woman notice her own rhythm. 🌙