Listening to comments from friends, relatives and even medical personnel, you might conclude that all you need to do to conceive is "just relax," "don't think about it" "plan a holiday." But for the vast majority of couples struggling with infertility, this is not sound advice.
While stress does not cause infertility, infertility most definitely can cause stress. Infertile women report higher levels of stress and anxiety than fertile women, and there is some indication that infertile women are more likely to become depressed. This is not surprising since the far-reaching effects of infertility can interfere with work, family, money and relationships. Finding ways to reduce stress, tension and anxiety can make you feel better.
There are numerous methods for decreasing stress, including learning relaxation techniques and implementing coping strategies, adopting healthy eating and regular exercise, and remembering to take time out for yourself, do things you enjoy.
Stress and its effects on the body
Stress can be good for us. It can motivate us and make us perform better in short bursts. This is called acute stress. However many of us live with non-stop stress in our lives that we are not fully aware of. Work, family dynamics, personal relationships even physical exertion-stress is a constant. When you partner everyday ongoing stress with fertility treatment – problems can start to arise. That move you into the chronic stress phase. Read more
Mindfulness
Getting some head space can really help and Mindfulness is a great way to find your calm place, slow down and re energise your mind. It can help to find peace when things seem chaotic and focus when there is a lot going on. Here is a useful link to Headspace – an external website that provides useful mindfulness exercises you can do in the comfort of your own home.
Yoga
- Reduce stress
- Improve alignment
- Support circulation
- Improve strength and flexibility
Yoga can be very relaxing for people going through fertility treatment. It can help calm the breath, steady the mind and distress the body.