PCOS + Stress

Graphic Art - Stress

 

This article was written by my previous Nutrition Grad Student, Kimmie Singh. She is a fat woman of color who experiences PCOS. You can find out more information about her work now as a dietitian here.

Who isn’t stressed? Everyone has their fair share of worries and concerns, and people with PCOS are no exception. PCOS is definitely a cause of some of my stress. 

One thing that stresses me out is all of the co-morbidities that are associated with PCOS:

  • type 2 diabetes
  • high blood pressure
  • depression
  • cardiovascular disease
  • and the list goes on.

There’s hope: reducing your stress can help reduce your risk of developing many PCOS-related co-morbidities. It can also help you manage your PCOS.

The majority of people with PCOS have insulin resistance (more on that here), making their cells less sensitive to insulin causing a reduced ability for cells to take up glucose. Stress actually intensifies insulin resistance. Your body responds to stress by increasing your blood glucose level and releasing hormones that make the cells even less sensitive to insulin, so less glucose can enter the cells.

Everyone’s body has a natural reaction to stress. People with PCOS have stronger physical responses to stress compared to people without PCOS. This stronger response to stress increases the risk of depression, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes.

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Managing stress is important for everyone’s health, and it’s really important for people with PCOS. 

I know how stressful PCOS is. I know how serious it is, and how overwhelming it can be, but you only have one body.

If your body has PCOS, it’s not any less valuable.

It’s different.

It has different needs, and helping your body meet those needs can make managing your PCOS a less stressful process.

Mindfulness activities are proven to reduce anxiety, stress, and even improve the quality of life among people with PCOS. I want to share my favorite stress-reliving activities with you. Take these tips with a grain of salt, and if they appeal to you, I encourage you to trust your instincts and try to be mindful about the process.

My top 5 stress relieving practices are:

  • Laughter- Everyone who knows me knows that I love a good joke, and on a stressful day I always find humor to be a reliable source of de-stressing.
  • Yoga helps me clear my mind and bring me back down to earth. It also helps me feel super connected to my body and leaves me with a compassionate attitude toward my PCOS. A good yoga session always brings me to a peaceful mental space. One to try: Curvy Yoga with Anna Guest-Jelly.
  • Social support helps me in more ways that I can describe. If you haven’t joined our Facebook group yet, I invite you to join us. We would love to have you.
  • Nature- I can’t lie, I have a love-hate relationship with nature. I’m not a fan of bugs or humidity, and, unfortunately, North Carolina has ample amounts of both. However, nature still has a magical effect that makes me feel grounded and mindful.
  • Meditation- there are so many types of meditation, and if you are new to meditation, I recommend started with a guided audio meditation. Insight Timer is one of Julie’s favorites and recommends their Yoga Nidra Sleep Meditation. Meditation can feel awkward at first, and after a couple minutes I usually feel a strong calming presence throughout my body.

Want to explore more non diet options to help manage your PCOS, promote health AND healing?

Click here for details on Julie’s PCOS and Food Peace course.

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Resources:

Benson, S., Arck, P., Tan, S., Hahn, S., Mann, K., Rifaie, N., . . . Elsenbruch, S. (2009). Disturbed stress responses in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 34(5), 727-735. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2008.12.001

Blood Sugar & Stress. (n.d.). Retrieved June 14, 2017, from https://dtc.ucsf.edu/types-of-diabetes/type2/understanding-type-2-diabetes/how-the-body-processes-sugar/blood-sugar-stress/

Pasquali, R., & Gambineri, A. (2012). Mechanisms and Treatment of Obesity in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Contemporary Endocrinology Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, 217-240. doi:10.1007/978-1-59745-108-6_14

Stefanaki, C., Bacopoulou, F., Livadas, S., Kandaraki, A., Karachalios, A., Chrousos, G. P., & Diamanti-Kandarakis, E. (2014). Impact of a mindfulness stress management program on stress, anxiety, depression and quality of life in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Stress,18(1), 57-66. doi:10.3109/10253890.2014.974030

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