Self-care is important for any individual. The time to destress, take some time out of your working day and cancel plans at the weekend, is vital for anyone going through a tough time, and women who suffer from the symptoms of PCOS are no exception.

PCOS affects a lot of different aspects of a women’s life – many factors that can get you down on the worst of days. That’s why self care is so important and should be incorporated into your lifestyle as often as possible.

What is self-care?

Self-care can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. It’s a term that simply means, be good to yourself, and do things that make you feel great. ‘In a nutshell, it’s about being as kind to yourself as you would be to others’. It can also mean not doing things too and taking a break from a hectic lifestyle or overindulgent activity. We often push ourselves for other people, which can leave us worn out and tired.

What are the benefits of self-care for PCOS sufferers?

Who knew looking after yourself could have just great benefits for your physical, emotional and mental health? Self-care inspires productivity and motivation. If you’re saying “no” to things you actually don’t want to do, then you can dedicate your time to more positive pastimes. This also allows you the time to figure out what you do and don’t like and learn more about what makes you happy.

Treating yourself well has a knock-on-effect for your self-esteem. You feel confident in yourself, which many PCOS sufferers struggle with because of the side effects of the condition. It allows you to find some form of inner peace and gives you more to give others.

Self-care should be an important factor in a PCOS sufferer’s life because of the negative effects the condition can have on an individual – the hormonal changes, the mood swings, the irregular periods, the stress. It’s a lot of one person to handle, especially for a woman who has an extremely busy weekly schedule.

What are some examples of self-care for women with PCOS?

The list of activities for self-care is endless, and it all comes down to a personal preference and what you feel like needs taking care of the most – your physical or emotional self, or both.

Emotional self-care

For emotional self-care, you could start writing a journal expressing every emotion you felt that day - every mood swing or stressful situation. You could reconnect with an old friend or look through old photo albums of you and your family.

Physical self-care

For a more physical approach, you could get a massage, take a long bath, get a manicure or pedicure or simply go for a walk. It’s important that you do something different and outside of your everyday routine. Learn a new skill, get a new hobby, or simply dance in your living room until your out of breath.

During the down days, it’s important to let people know how you’re feeling. Make sure you talk to a friend or family member about your emotions or reconnect with an old friend for a catch-up conversation.

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