How to reset your fertility mindset?
Photo by Miguel Bruna on Unsplash
It’s not uncommon for women who want babies in the future to choose to wait for the right circumstances. Some want a reliable partner at their side, others want their careers to advance to a certain level, but eventually, a woman simply knows when the time is right and she’s ready to become a mother. However, in some cases, this can turn out to be more complicated than you expected.
Once you realize that a baby is what you want, but, for some reason, you are unable to conceive the traditional way, you start worrying. You might search for ways to improve your odds, or perhaps you even go looking for some alternative methods of conception. This is usually exhausting, both physically and mentally. And as demanding as it can be, when you are focused on such an important goal, you also need to do whatever you can to maintain a positive mindset. Understandably, this is easier said than done, but there are some ways you can nurture your body and mind when the going gets tough. Here is how you can reset your mind and remain optimistic while doing your best to conceive.
Practice mindfulness
Not many things can help you overcome any negative thoughts you might have, form a better opinion of yourself and calm your mind like meditation. Infertility is known to cause stress in women and their partners, and while the claim that stress can also lead to infertility hasn’t been researched well enough, there is an indication that relieving yourself of stress and anxiety can increase your chances of conceiving. This is where meditation comes in. It’s one of the most effective ways of relaxing and lowering your stress and anxiety levels. When meditating, you’re placing your focus on the here and now, making peace with your thoughts and even preventing your emotions from affecting your feelings and decisions. Although it can be difficult to concentrate at first and practice mindfulness properly, you shouldn’t give up. After all, there are numerous videos online to help you learn how to do it, books and lectures on the topic, as well as group courses you can attend to get familiar with different meditation techniques.
Find support
What that can make your situation more difficult than it has to be is finding information on infertility and its causes from wrong online sources. Not only can you be misinformed, but you can also come across articles, comments and other women’s experiences which can make you feel pessimistic and hopeless.
That’s why you should only look for reliable articles and websites, but also surround yourself with women who know what you’re going through and are optimistic about their own, as well as your situation. You can make trying to conceive less stressful by meeting compassionate women who understand your struggle and who will provide you with the necessary support on your journey to motherhood. By talking about things you’re coping with and sharing your stories, you can avoid isolation and shift your focus from the fear of what could go wrong to the belief that everything will turn up to be fine. And when it does, you’ll be a new mother and grateful for the opportunity to learn from other women’s experiences.
Stay physically active
The best way to keep your thoughts positive is to stay healthy, and in order to do that, you have to engage in physical activity on a regular basis. However, you should avoid overexerting yourself. Pushing your body too hard can create a countereffect. Instead, your exercise should be moderate. A pleasant bike ride or a brisk walk will do the trick. Not only will this boost your mood and improve your overall well-being, but it can also help you get pregnant sooner.
This is especially true for the women with a high BMI, who may experience problems when trying to conceive, or have a higher risk of various health conditions once they get pregnant, all due to their excessive weight. Your goal should be to move and stay fit, so opt for such exercises as swimming and yoga, or you can simply sign up for some dance classes.
Reconsider your diet
Another factor you should take into account when trying to get pregnant is your diet. Eating unhealthy food is something you should avoid even when you aren’t trying to conceive, but even more so when you’re preparing your body for pregnancy. So, forget about foods loaded with processed sugar and empty calories. Instead, try maintaining a balanced diet, so that your body receives all the right nutrients. For instance, strawberries, leafy greens and beans contain folic acid, which is important for a healthy pregnancy. Next, you’ll need calcium from dairy products, broccoli, and kale, but also the iron from spinach, legumes, liver and dark chocolate. You’ll also need protein, fiber, fatty acids and iodine, so make sure the food you eat caters to all your needs.
Always stay hydrated and keep unhealthy things like alcohol, cigarettes and too much caffeine at bay. Finally, if you don’t think you’re getting enough of the necessary nutrients, talk to your doctor and find out if you should get any supplements for your prenatal care.
Nourishing your body and mind may help you reach your objective and conceive sooner. However, in case you’re under 35 and you’ve been trying to get pregnant for a year, or half that time If you’re over 35, it’s probably time to see an expert and go through all your options with them.