In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to let wellness take a backseat. But prioritizing your health, both physical and mental, is crucial for a fulfilling life. The good news is that you don't need to overhaul your entire routine to make a difference. Small, consistent steps can lead to significant improvements in your overall well-being.
As I share an excerpt from my life, which is very close to my heart and makes me extremely vulnerable, I can reflect on my situation and suffering and how it’s changed my perspective from what it had been on this very subjective term called ‘Wellness’.
I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Disorder commonly referred to as PCOD, about 2 years ago and the excruciating pain along with the suffering that it gave made me take my health in my hands. For those who don’t know, PCOD is a hormonal disorder which can happen in women of any age. The NHS outlines symptoms from irregular periods, male pattern baldness, hirsutism, acne,weight gain, fatigue, anxiety and depression which has a direct impact on self-confidence. While it is believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors, mine was predominantly genetic as my mother had a history of a similar severe condition.
Apart from the symptoms that I just mentioned, Dysmenorrhea was one which particularly affected me a lot to the extent that I had to be driven to the hospital every month when I would get my period. I still get goosebumps thinking about the intensity and severity of my cramps, lower back pain, aching calves, nausea-I can almost describe it as my lower body being paralyzed. I would take 4-5 painkillers in a day to ease my pain but after a point I became resistant to those painkillers. Weakness in the body would persist for 3-4 days where I could not stop throwing up whatever I ate or drank until a stage where I couldn't put a morsel in my mouth and my only source of nutrition would be via an IV drip.
After a point I became so scared about even getting my period. As I’d approach my 20th day of the month, I would start feeling anxious, nervous and getting the feeling that I really can't put my body through this all over again.
After 3 years of misery, unending hospital visits, trying every possible hack suggested by my well-wishers, the universe really saw me suffering and losing hope and then sent an angel (I’d like to believe she’s a God sent Angel) - my very sweet gynae whom I came across through a blood donation camp. I am thankful that I get an opportunity to do one noble deed in the year and for that year I had chosen to donate blood. So this camp was organized at her clinic where I reached in the afternoon after my classes at college.That was the very first time I met her. Very welcoming and extremely humble, she was so happy to see me, a young one taking part in this initiative. I don’t know but I heard a voice in my head which said that I must confide in her about my condition and get an opinion.
A week later, I found myself waiting in her clinic for my turn to get to meet her. As soon as I entered, without looking anywhere I began explaining my problem all in one breath. She looked at me and assured me that I wasn't alone in this. Globally, every 1 in 5 girls suffer from PCOD. Recently there has been a lot of research and women are openly coming out and talking about it on various social media platforms rather than suffering silently.This immediately calmed me down. But the worrisome thing is there is no complete cure for this till date.The only permanent solution is a lifestyle change.It may sound the easiest thing to do but trust me it's the most difficult thing to execute every single day. She also gave me some confidence by showing testimonials of her patients who have battled so bravely and emerged victorious.
She prescribed some blood work for me. Next week I was at her clinic again and she had a plan ready for me to follow. I just wanted to blindly follow her and give my 100%. This meant a commitment from my side -a strong commitment to myself for trying to be the best version of myself forever because LIFESTYLE meant this is the way of pain free living from my problem until the end.
This marked the beginning of my wellness journey which I took one step at a time to avoid it becoming too overwhelming. The plan involved me incorporating one new habit or lifestyle change every month. For January, I started with 10 minutes of sunshine every morning which I would religiously follow each day throughout the month and update her if I faced any problem in the execution or skipped any day. I was pleasantly surprised by what a difference it brought. Sunshine helps stabilize your circadian rhythm, boost Vitamin D levels and ensures there are no energy crashes throughout the day.
For the month of February the new habit was walking for 10 minutes post meals. I planned my day in such a way that getting in the steps fitted into my routine. After breakfast I would tidy up my room, water the plants and finish laundry instead of checking my emails immediately after. Post lunch I would take the stairs and stroll for a while in the office instead of directly hitting my desk. Once I would get home, I would try and incorporate long walks with my favorite music after dinner. All these small activities added movement in my day and increased my NEAT- Non Exercise Activity Thermogenesis considerably. I was then recollecting what my doctor said that it is vital to get movement apart from the 1 hour that you spend at the gym or yoga class. Our bodies are designed for active movement and not a sedentary lifestyle. So, I would do a little dance when my apple watch would close the move ring acing my Move goal for the day.
And just like this months passed by and I kept on compounding my 1 new habit for every month which would range from - adding protein to every meal, 6 yoga sessions a month, meditations and affirmations in the morning to gratitude journaling at night. Over the course of time, I learnt to make myself a priority which I would otherwise ignore and later blame it on circumstances.
You may find it very overwhelming to even read about it now but once you get into the habit of trying to be the best version of yourself there's no going back. It is the best investment you can make in yourself which would give you 100x returns in the next 50 years (yes, the finance geek in me still calculates and assess everything in terms of how profitable and investment it may turn out to be )
One quote that stuck by me is whenever a big habit change feels insurmountable ,break it down until you find something you CAN do.And this is exactly what i live by.
// Isha Bajaj, Social Media Editor at A Blog for Days
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