How I’m Learning to Listen to My Body with PCOS (and Why It’s So Hard)

I’ve always prided myself on pushing through—whether it’s staying late at work, squeezing in every event, or just ignoring those nagging signs that my body might need a break. But lately, I’ve realized that approach isn’t doing me any favors. Managing PCOS requires more than just willpower. It’s about listening to what my body actually needs—and let me tell you, learning to slow down is much harder than I thought.

Ignoring the Early Warning Signs

Looking back, I’ve ignored the early signs more times than I can count. One recent example that comes to mind is when I caught my cold after getting back from Chicago. It wasn’t just a cold—it was my body telling me that I’d been doing too much for too long. The stress from work, travel, and never really resting was catching up to me. But did I listen? Of course not. I pushed through it until my body quite literally forced me to stop.

Here’s the thing: when you have PCOS, stress isn’t just mental—it’s physical. My heart rate had been higher than usual, my energy was tanking, and my mood was all over the place. But instead of listening to those signs, I kept going, like so many of us do. I’ve found that when I ignore what my body is trying to tell me, my PCOS symptoms get worse. The acne flares, the fatigue is overwhelming, and my mood swings hit like a truck. 

Why Listening to Your Body Is So Hard

If I’m being honest, listening to my body feels like admitting defeat sometimes. Society pushes this constant message that if you’re not busy, you’re not successful. And as someone who’s used to always being “on,” it feels uncomfortable—almost guilty—to say “I need a break.”

It’s especially hard when you have a chronic condition like PCOS that already makes you feel like you’re behind. You don’t want to fall further behind by resting. But pushing through doesn’t solve anything. If anything, in fact it makes things worse. My cold turned into a week of missed plans, including a wedding I had been looking forward to for years. And while I initially felt bad about missing it, it was also a big lesson: my body needed rest more than it needed to attend that event.

The Turning Point: Learning to Say “No”

That was a turning point for me—finally learning to say “no” when my body demands it. Missing that wedding was hard, but I don’t regret it. The truth is, putting your health first isn’t selfish. It’s necessary.

I’m also learning that boundaries aren’t just for work or relationships—they’re for your body too. I’ve (slowly) started setting limits with how much I take on, whether it’s work-related or personal plans. Sure, there’s always that little voice saying “you should be doing more,” but I’ve learned to quiet it by reminding myself that I can’t pour from an empty cup.

And when it comes to PCOS, not listening to my body has real consequences. Ignoring rest doesn’t just make me tired—it throws everything off: my hormones, my mood, even my skin. So I’m taking those small steps to protect my health, even if it’s just saying no to an extra event or making time for a nap. 

Practical Ways I’m Tuning In to My Body

I’m still figuring it out, but here are a few things I’ve started doing to better listen to my body and manage my PCOS symptoms:

1. Meditation & Mindfulness: Starting the day with a short meditation or just checking in with how I feel has been a game-changer. It helps me gauge where I’m at mentally and physically before I dive into anything.

2. Adapting My Routine: I used to push myself to work out even when I was exhausted, thinking it would make me feel better. Now, I listen to what my body can handle. Some days that’s a walk, other days it’s a full workout, but it’s always based on what I need.

3. Meal Planning for Energy: I’ve also been paying more attention to how my meals impact my energy, especially during my luteal phase. It’s made a big difference in keeping my blood sugar stable and reducing some of the bloating and fatigue I feel during that time. Getting in 40 grams of protein with each meal has been key for me.

4. Tracking Symptoms: My Oura ring helps me track my sleep and recovery, which has been super helpful in understanding what’s going on with my body. I’ve also started journaling more about my symptoms and mood, which helps me connect the dots between how I’m feeling and what’s triggering it.

The Ongoing Journey of Self-Compassion

I’m not perfect at it—and that’s okay. Listening to your body, especially with a condition like PCOS, is a constant learning process. There are days I still feel guilty for resting or turning down plans, but I’m trying to be more compassionate with myself. Because what I’m realizing is that rest isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a necessary part of managing my PCOS and living a healthier, happier life.

If you’re reading this and feeling the same way—feeling torn between pushing through and slowing down—I get it. It’s hard. But trust me when I say, listening to your body is one of the best things you can do for yourself. The more we honor what our bodies need, the better we can manage the ups and downs of PCOS.

Finding Strength in Rest

One of the hardest things for me has been learning how to truly enjoy the moments where I’m not doing anything productive. I’m so used to filling every minute with tasks—whether it’s work, chores, or just busying myself with something. But I’ve started to realize the value in simply shutting off sometimes, and honestly, it’s becoming something I look forward to.

For example, after meal prepping for the week, instead of throwing myself into the next chore, I’ve made it a habit to just lay on the couch and watch TV. It’s such a simple thing, but giving myself permission to relax like that has been a big shift. And honestly, it feels great. It’s a reminder that rest doesn’t always have to be “earned” by doing more. Sometimes it’s okay to just be still.

I’ve also been intentional about avoiding making plans during the week. I realized that when I try to pack my weekdays with activities, I don’t leave any time to recover from the day-to-day stress. Now, I keep my weekdays as low-key as possible, so I can recharge and feel energized when the weekend rolls around. That way, I’m actually excited to see family, hang out with friends, or go to events, instead of feeling drained before I even get there.

It’s not always easy to shift into this mindset, but slowly I’m learning that it’s okay to take it easy—and that those quiet moments on the couch or in an empty evening are just as important for my well-being as anything else.

So here’s my reminder to you (and to myself): listening to your body isn’t a failure. It’s strength. It’s prioritizing your health so you can be your best self, for yourself and everyone around you. If you’re navigating this same journey, I’d love to hear how you’re learning to tune in. Let’s keep the conversation going.