There are undeniable connections between the moon and our emotions, sleep, energy levels, dreams, and even menstrual cycles.

Since the beginning of time, humans have been following moon cycles, watching how it changes and noticing how it affects the entire planet.

We can see the ocean’s change during the new and full moons, with the highest tides (and sometimes extremely low tides) when the moon is straight above. Researchers have found that moon cycles affect birds’ hormone levels and, often, birds can be found in their nests during a full moon when their predators are very active.

The moon affects plants, too. The Farmers Almanac, for example, was created to help farmers maximize their crops according to the natural cycle of the moon. Then, there are humans. With more than 50 percent of our bodies made up of water, there is no way humans are completely unaffected by the cycles of the moon.

We can observe how we crave more quiet and alone time during a new moon and may feel more active and social during a full moon.

And, for people with a menstrual cycle, the effects can be more obvious. It has been said that when aligned, fertile, and “in flow,” we bleed on a new moon. While bleeding on a full moon may signal a time for more letting go, manifesting, and engaging in healing work.

In my energy healing and intuitive practices, I have been able to determine much about a client who still menstruates based on what phase of their cycle they are in at the various moon stages.

In my own life, I’ve suffered in silence with PCOS and auto-immune symptoms. My cycle was irregular and sometimes nonexistent. Since healing some of those root issues, I bleed nine out of 10 times with the new moon.

Nothing is “wrong” or “right, or “good” or “bad.” It’s simply information that can help us understand ourselves more deeply.

On top of that, many of us who relate to being an HSP (highly sensitive person) or an “empath” may also be “moon-sensitive,” which means we experience varying symptoms at different moon phases.

While everyone is affected by the moon cycles somehow, knowing if we are moon-sensitive can help those of us who may be far more greatly affected. And, even if we, ourselves, are not moon sensitive, we can still be impacted by those around us who are.

Here are 31 common symptoms of moon sensitivity.

Some of these points may seem general. However, if other factors have been ruled out and these are still relatable, there may be a moon sensitivity at play. The last 11 symptoms (21-32) are those that are more trackable in relation to a particular phase of the moon:

1. Not able to easily shut off the brain
2. Fall asleep easily but don’t stay asleep
3. Huge desires changing month to month
4. Unexplained bloating
5. Experiencing dehydration and not sure why
6. Feeling fuzzy-minded
7. Sinus pressure out of nowhere
8. Clumsiness
9. Hypersensitive skin
10. Low-grade fever out of the blue
11. Upset or sensitive stomach
12. Exhaustion
13. Anxiety
14. Lethargy
15. Need for deep rest at the sudden onset
16. Suddenly feeling wiped out
17. Insomnia
18. Intense Emotions
19. Frustration/Agitation
20. Food Cravings
21. Exhausted and tired at the new moon
22. Full of ideas at the new moon
23. Get a surge of creation during a waxing moon
24. Have a hard time losing weight or getting rid of during a waxing moon
25. Feeling excitable before bed at the full moon
26. Feeling scatterbrained during a waning moon
27. Feeling disorganized at the waning moon
28. Having too much to manage at the waning moon
29. Overwhelm or less in control in the new or waning moon
30. Sensitive to needles (acupuncture) during a waning moon
31. Overly emotional on an eclipse

If some of these points resonate, but you are unsure, try keeping a journal noting the moon cycles and your symptoms.

Track moods, emotions, behaviors, and body responses.

After a few moon phases pass, it should be easy enough to pick out patterns. When we notice many mood changes, body changes, and increased expression at various stages, we are most likely moon-sensitive.

Practicing cyclical living habits can also help promote balance, harmony, alignment, and nurture our moon sensitivities.

What does that look like? Here is a brief guide for each phase:

New Moon: A time for slowing down. Take time to read, set new intentions, do yoga, nourish, do breathwork, rest, and write down goals.

Waxing Moon: Begin planning and prepping intentions, honor your mediocre energy levels, get cardio in, but don’t push yourself, and spend time in collaboration with others.

Full Moon: Three to five days before and after the full moon, things pick up. Follow the passion, focus, and put yourself out there to be seen. Enjoy high-energy workouts and social outings until about three to five days after the full moon. Then start to wind down again.

Waning Moon: An excellent time to start anything that helps to get rid of something; start a diet, donate goods, do a gentle detox. It is also a supportive time for tying up loose ends, decluttering, organizing, enjoying quiet moments. In terms of movement, try strength training, and as the new moon nears, slow way down again.

A possibly helpful note: while the waxing moon is all about enhancing, adding to, and creating, the waning is about slowing down and getting rid of what is not needed.

I like to think wax on and wane off.

Knowing the moon cycles was a huge help for me to realign with my body and even out my energy levels. May it be of similar benefit to you.