How to Deal with PCOS and Stress

The causes of PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) are varied, but there are a number of underlying symptoms, including stress. As frustrating as PCOS can be, stress only serves to exacerbate the symptoms of PCOS as you keep worrying about is wrong with you and how to deal with it. This can be a daily challenge and make you feel helpless. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way.

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When it comes to PCOS, nature is your greatest ally. Your body has a natural capacity to heal itself if you provide it with the necessary tools.

When you feel stressed, you may be doing the exact opposite of what your body needs. Perhaps you consume lots of unhealthy foods. The resultant obesity will only add more stress to your life. Perhaps you feel too drained to get enough exercise. The normal symptoms of stress are:

A chronic feeling of anxiety
Feeling depressed without a specific reason
Feeling tired, even after you’ve slept too much
Muscle pain and headaches
Mood swings
Changes in eating habits
Ovarian cysts

For women with PCOS, a healthy diet can bring tremendous relief. As Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Those words remain true today.

PCOS is often accompanied by high levels of insulin, which can lead to a pre-diabetic condition. Eating the right foods becomes critical. It’s best to eliminate as many processed sugars and refined carbohydrates from your diet as possible. Good foods are fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, berries and lean proteins, especially fish high in Omega-3 fatty acids. Fiber-rich green vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach, kale and other lettuce should become a regular part of your diet plan. Avoid sugar-filled snacks and drinks and processed white flour. With a plethora of whole wheat items from which to choose, you can still enjoy your favorite foods while eating healthy. In addition, you should avoid fried foods and choose baked or roasted options instead. Small changes in your diet can bring about big results.

Include exercise in your improved lifestyle choices. You don’t even have to join a gym, although that is certainly an excellent option. You can swim, play tennis, jog, bike, hike, dance, or enjoy martial arts. All of these are great ways to introduce exercise into your life in a fun way. Simply walking and taking the stairs instead of an elevator on a daily basis does much to alleviate stress symptoms. Combined with a healthier diet, exercise should bring about a tremendous improvement in both your PCOS and stress-related symptoms. By remaining proactive in dealing with your symptoms, you are taking an active part in managing your own health.

Along with a healthy diet, natural vitamins and supplements can help you deal with PCOS. Check with your doctor, and visit our Supplement Store. You will find a great deal of useful information regarding how to treat PCOS in a natural way.

You may wonder if meditation should be a part of your winning lifestyle. The answer is, definitely. Not only is meditation a known and proven stress reliever, it can improve the hormonal imbalance that can by a part of PCOS. All you need is a quiet place to sit. Close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing as you inhale and exhale. It may sound simple, but meditation has been used effectively for thousands of years and is a strong tool to achieving improved health. Start slowly and work your way up to twenty or third-minute sessions daily. You will soon see results in your stress level and PCOS symptoms.

Dealing with PCOS and stress can be frustrating and overwhelming, but you don’t have to remain a victim. By taking charge of your health, you can bring about tremendous changes and enjoy life to the fullest.