Embracing Body Acceptance with PCOS:

A Journey to Self-Love and Confidence

Body acceptance is a common issue for many women with PCOS. The pressure to meet certain body ideals and the social norms or expectations of beauty can be oppressive, which can result in body dissatisfaction, low self-esteem,  and a negative body image which often leads to an unhealthy relationship with your own body.

Similar to the emotional effect of several women's health conditions, a hormonal condition known as polycystic ovary  syndrome (PCOS) affects millions of women's relationships with their own bodies.

Symptoms, such as irregular periods, weight gain, acne, and excessive hair growth, can be brought on by PCOS and other hormonal imbalances and conditions. 

The physical, emotional, and mental health of those with PCOS can suffer as a result of these symptoms. 

"It's crucial to understand that for women with PCOS,  body acceptance is a journey that is both achievable  and empowering."

We will specifically discuss body acceptance for women dealing with PCOS, in this blog post, however, it is relevant information that applies to several other women's health conditions.

We will incorporate concepts from books on body acceptance and provide evidence 

from studies that emphasise the value of embracing self-love and confidence regardless of body size, shape, or appearance to support our discussion.

As a certified hypnotherapist and naturopath, Danielle is well-equipped to help women with PCOS in this area.

Body Acceptance: Understanding the Concept

Body acceptance is the practice of accepting and loving your body exactly as it is,  without comparison to others or judgement from social perceptions of beauty.  It entails appreciating and respecting your body's individuality, including its size, shape, look, and capabilities. 

Body acceptance is not about giving up on healthy habits or neglecting self-care; rather, it is about developing a  loving relationship with your body and recognising its intrinsic value and beauty.

The importance of shifting the emphasis from external validation to internal appreciation is emphasised in many books on body acceptance. 

For example, Sonya Renee Taylor's "The Body Is Not an Apology" emphasises the negative effects of societal beauty  standards and encourages readers to practise radical self-love and body acceptance.

Similarly to this, in Rebecca Scritchfield's book "Body Kindness" she champions self-compassion, self-care, and intuitive  eating as essential elements of body acceptance. These books stress the importance of self-reflection, self-compassion, and self-care in the ongoing process of body acceptance.

Studies in the field of psychology confirm the significance of body acceptance for overall health and wellbeing.

For instance, a study in the journal "Body Image" discovered that women with PCOS who had higher levels of body  acceptance had better psychological well-being and higher levels of self-esteem (Torkan et al., 2020).  Another study highlighted the beneficial effects of body acceptance on self-care behaviours, such as regular exercise  and healthy eating habits, among women with PCOS in the journal "Women's Health Issues" (Vosnaki et al., 2019).

Embracing Body Acceptance with PCOS

Here are some helpful pointers for embracing body acceptance on your journey with PCOS:

• Practice self-compassion: Be kind and compassionate towards yourself, just as you would be towards a loved one. Acknowledge and accept your body as it is, without judgment or criticism. Treat yourself with kindness, and practice positive self-talk and self-affirmation.

• Focus on what your body can do, not how it looks: Shift your focus from external appearance to what your body can do. Celebrate your body's strength, resilience, and functionality. Engage in physical activities that bring you joy and make you feel good, regardless of your body size or shape.

• Challenge societal beauty standards: Recognise that societal beauty standards are arbitrary and ever-changing. Reframe your perspective on beauty and recognise that true beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and appearances. Surround yourself with positive and inclusive representations of beauty that reflect diversity.

• Nurture self-care habits: Take care of your body from a place of self-love, this means making choices that honour your physical and emotional needs, such as getting enough sleep, eating nourishing foods, exercising regularly, and setting boundaries to protect your mental health. Remember that self-care is not selfish, but rather an essential part of maintaining overall well-being. 

With the holistic health expertise of a certified hypnotherapist and naturopath like Danielle, women with PCOS can receive the support and guidance they need to thrive.

With love

Dani x