The inspiration for this blog entry came from a TV commercial for a furniture store that sells mattresses. So what could an advertisement of this sort possibly have in common with PCOS? Well, the ad begins with a man talking about how we live in a world full of tech toys and that we must recharge the batteries so they’ll continue to work. He mentions cell phones, tablets, and computers as examples, and then makes a comparison to human beings. His voice is calm and convincing. Next he tells the viewers that “human beings need to re-charge their batteries too” and suggests that a good night’s sleep is the best way to accomplish this – with a new mattress of course!

The ad got me thinking about how it may be easy to lose sight of caring for your body and managing your PCOS symptoms when you have so many other things in your life to think about – especially during the holiday season. Perhaps you’re stressed out because of school work, a relationship, taking care of a family member, or maybe you’re finding it difficult to avoid PCOS-unfriendly foods this holiday season. Whatever the reason for your stress, it’s important to take time for yourself, and you guessed it – “recharge your battery”.

This doesn’t mean that you have to go out and buy a new mattress, but it should get you thinking about ways you can lower your stress so you can have the energy it takes to take good care of your PCOS and general health. Sleeping 8-9 hours a night is a great start. Other ways to increase your energy include sticking to a regular exercise or fitness plan; participating in social activities with friends and family, eating mindfully; and reducing the amount of processed foods you eat by replacing them with whole grains, lean protein, fruits, veggies, and complex carbohydrates.

My hope is that you’ll recognize how amazing your body truly is and just how important it is to take care of it.

Happy Holidays!

-Nurse Phaedra