PMS Rescue: A Movie for Your Health

"I think a woman wants love and freedom at the same time. When I was writing the book, I was exploring that concept. I think a lot of women can relate to it."
— Author Sue Monk Kidd

Sue Monk Kidd, one of my favorite writers and author of "The Secret Life of Bees" and "The Dance of the Dissident Daughter," has announced in her September newsletter that her most recent book, "The Mermaid Chair" has been made into a film for Lifetime Television. It's airing this weekend, Saturday, September 9th, at 9pm EST and then again on Sunday and Monday night. It's a chic-flick to the rescue ladies!

It's been my experience that a film revolving around women's journeys (and especially of the romantic-comedy sort) can lighten your mood fast and is incredibly healthful during PMS. Here's why...

When our body prepares for menstruation, muscles tighten and contract (think achy lower backs) as it gets ready to shed the lining of the uterus. Then there's the hormonal surge that makes us hungrier, more sensitive and craving sweets (which is our body's natural solution to stress as sugar is expansive). Yet we carry on with our life, never honoring this energy shift and wonder why we get so cranky. Here's a fun solution to this problem.

(Read more about this effect here.)

A light, funny and women-centric movie can work just as well as a mood-altering sweet-treat, without all the extra calories, carb-bloating and puffy-face, sugar hang-over in the morning. Now don't get me wrong, I love a "make you think" art film like the next movie buff. In fact, I've been known to obsess about my Netflix queue to the annoyance of my Netflix "Friends." But during PMS, a girl needs a ro-co. (That's code for romantic comedy)

So that's why I'm recommending that you plop yourself down in front of the tube and check out Ms. Kidd's story. While Lifetime TV has been known to pump out a few "cheesy" movies, I can't help giving props to this writing goddess. Consider that this flick may be just what you need to feel-good when you really need it.

Here's to PMS Rescue in TV form.

Warning: I have not, obviously, seen the movie myself. So if it stinks, well, try the book.


Here's a synopsis of the movie, from LifetimeTV.com

"Take a journey of mystery, passion and self-discovery with Academy Award® winning actress Kim Basinger in a powerful story based on the best-seller "The Mermaid Chair." The movie follows married mom Jessie, who just sent her daughter off to school and now feels alone and listless in her 20-year marriage. When this restless wife gets a disturbing phone call, she must return to her childhood home on a beautiful Southern island to deal with the shocking behavior of her mentally unstable mother. During this visit, she finds herself undeniably attracted to a Benedictine monk. While struggling with this temptation and delving into her family's secretive past, Jessie undergoes a spiritual, artistic and erotic awakening. Her experiences on the island lead Jessie to discover her true self and what she really wants from her life."

Check your local listing here. I'll be hitting the record button and saving this for a PMS emergency.

Get a copy of the book here.

:)

Happy weekend!