Does Stress Affect Your Fertility?

We live in a fast paced world and there are times we are stressed and not even realize it! As we go about or busy lives there are ways that stress plays havoc on our bodies. When you feel stressed your brain thinks it’s under attack and releases stress hormones like cortisol to turn off those bodily systems that aren’t needed at the moment, one of them being your reproductive system.

Trying to conceive is a different kind of stress, but to your body it is still stress. The more you worry and think about when is it going to happen or how will it happen the more stress on your body, sometimes even chronic stress. So managing your stress will help improve fertility!

What are the best ways to manage stress? First seek comfort. Surrounding yourself with the people that you love and that love you back is a huge comfort! So when you are feeling stressed call a friend or a family member, especially those that are funny and can give you a good laugh! It will leave you feeling loved and light hearted.

Also, take time for yourself. Physical activity releases endorphin levels that make us feel better over all! Endorphins are the body’s natural pain killer. So try your best to do some kind of physical activity even if it’s only 30 minutes to get you moving! Reading a good book or listening to music can have a calming effect on your brain as well! It’s a great way to wind down, and lift your spirits at the same time!

Get your eight hours! Most people don’t give sleep a priority but your body really needs sleep to help you recover from everyday stress. If that is hard for you, try fitting in a nap midday to make up for it if you didn’t get the full eight the night before. Your body and brain will thank you for it!

Meal time can be very stressful! Writing out a meal plan a week or even a month in advance not only elevates the “what’s for dinner” every night, but studies show that by planning ahead meals are usually healthier. Having a well rounded healthy diet will help prepare your body to conceive.

And who would have ever thought that chewing gum is a stress reliever! But findings from a study at Northumbria University showed that popping a piece of gum into your mouth resulted in greater alertness and increases blood flow and neural activity in select brain regions! So if you find yourself in a stressful situation, chew some gum!

And lastly, love yourself! Sometimes this is hard to do if you’re trying to conceive. We tend to beat ourselves up over it when our bodies are not giving us what we want. Don’t blame yourself, start to love yourself and cherish your body as a temple! Finding ways to relax and be around those that give us comfort, support and love us is a positive feeling that we all need.

Author: