I wrote the below article that was published in the 2012 fall edition of Village Living Magazine.
A seasoned social worker discusses the importance of achieving calm states of body and mind when trying to conceive.
Mental and emotional states impact fertility by raising stress hormones such as cortisol, endorphins and prolactin. This can cause menstrual irregularity, interfere with ovulation and prevent eggs from maturing. Stress may also induce other physical symptoms that may upset overall health and indirectly impair fertility.
Learning positive coping strategies for decreasing stress levels is crucial if you want to get pregnant. Here are five strategies my clients have used to successfully maximize their mental space and, in turn, increase their fertility potential.
- Meditate: Meditation is the most thoroughly researched stress-reducing activity. Meditation elicits the relaxation response, turning off the stress reaction while normalizing stress hormones. There are many forms of meditation, but each of their goals is similar: to focus the mind on internal sensations and actions like breathing, while noticing and letting go of thoughts.
- Yoga: Their are many types of yoga to choose from, but my clients have found that hatha yoga is a great place to start. Hatha classes provide a relaxing form of movement and breathing that doesn’t focus on meditation, however achieves similar results.
- Affirmations: Giving yourself positive messages on a daily basis assists in cognitive restructuring that will change the way you feel. I encourage my clients to do their affirmations in the morning while brushing their teeth. Look in he mirror and tell yourself: “I am perfect just the way I am and I love myself”.
- Guided Imagery: Guided Imagery is a gentle but powerful technique that focuses the imagination. To the physical body, mental images can be almost as real as actual experiences.
- Prayer and a Higher Power: Strengthen your belief system so that you don’t question the idea that evrything happens for a reason. Ask for help and guidance. Take the time to cultivate your relationship with prayer and connect on a deeper level.
