Stress Management with PCOS

Do you have stress in you life? Is your stress causing you a lot of problems? Well Rhi's Corner on our forum  is the place to go! Rhi writes about so many wonderful tips to help you relax, and ease your stress/anxiety! 


I'll touch base on one of her "corner" posts dealing with managing stress in your life. I highly encourage each and every one of you to comment on this blog for the world to see your own tips, ideas and methods to manage stress in your daily life!


We know that PCOS comes with depression as well as stress. The two coincide and stress, at times, can just seem like a vicious cycle. How can we manage something that seems to never end?! Let's talk about what stress is.


Stress is how your body responds to something such as an illness, situation, or experience. Stress is a common part of life and it is not uncommon for those with PCOS to feel stress. So how is it that we are able to feel stress? Stress activates the nervous system and specific hormones which begin with the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus signals adrenal glands to produce cortisoll and adrenaline which get released into the blood stream. This is when you might feel physical effects such as rapid heart rates and heavy breathing. This would be good (think fight or flight responses) if we were experiencing good stress, but let’s face it - those of us who are dealing with PCOS typically are experiencing bad stress for various reasons, including infertility and multiple health issues. Are you ready for the good news though? Feeling all of this stress from either having PCOS or supporting a loved one with PCOS is NORMAL!


How do you know if you are dealing with stress on a daily basis? Do you have any of the listed symptoms below?


Some symptoms you may experience with stress:
Cognitive:
 Loss of memory
 Hard time concentrating on every day tasks
 Having a hard time being positive
 Constant worry
 Racing thoughts

Emotional:
 Being moody
 Short temper and/or irritability
 Not being able to relax
 Feeling of being overwhelmed
 Feeling lonely and depressed

Physical:
 Aches and pains
 Diarrhea and/or constipation
 Dizziness
 Nausea
 Rapid heart rate and/or chest pain
 Heavy breathing
 Loss of sex drive
 Being physically ill more often such as an increase in colds

Behavioral:
 Change in eating habits
 Change in sleep patterns
 Isolating yourself or pushing those close to you away
 Neglecting daily responsibilities
 Increase in or beginning to use alcohol, cigarette, or drugs
 Nervous habits such as nail biting, pulling your hair out, or chewing on your lips



Doctors visits.Medication. Did I ovulate this month? Hot flashes. SO MUCH ACNE! I'm just not getting pregnant. Why can't I lose this weight? I have to watch every thing I put in my mouth?! I'm a woman and I have facial hair?! I'm going to have heart problems for the rest of my life?!!!!! These are some of the things PCOS'ers deal with on a daily basis. Just re-reading that stresses me out! It is not easy ladies, but we can use techniques, and learn to manage our daily stress. We CAN DO IT! Not only is it beneficial for our health but it is beneficial in all relationships in our lives and brings about a seeming easier journey and a little more strength along the path of PCOS. 


Head over to Rhi's Corner at our forum to read all about some very amazing suggestions on stress management such as visualization and progressive muscle relaxation! 


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Join the movement and RAISE YOUR VOICE!