People walking through a fertility journey have comparable stress levels to those of a cancer patient (according to research from the Mayo Clinic).
Think about that.
Hormones, testing, injections, miscarriages, astronomical expenses. The list goes on and on.
The journey to parenthood can feel overwhelming and often very defeating. But there’s another important study out of Harvard that I like to focus on instead. According to Alice Domar, PhD:
You’re 55% more likely to conceive if you’re working on your mindset.
I dedicate a whole section of the Fertility Coach Academy to Stress & Fertility - it’s that important to the coaching I do. Stress and adrenal fatigue are real barriers to a positive pregnancy test. And stress can present itself in many different ways:
Physical: Actual toxins in your environment, including products you’re using, as well as a depletion of nutrients (like Vitamin D).
Environmental: This might look like stressors at home or in the workplace.
Emotional: This could include stress within family dynamics or other major life changes.
As a coach, I encourage anyone on a fertility journey to begin journaling as a start to addressing their daily stressors. Here are some ideas to get you started, and if you need more prompts to encourage you along your journey, be sure to join my Journaling Challenge!
Jot down the date and time ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
List things you are grateful for ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Freewrite anything you're experiencing, physically and emotionally⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Write out any affirmations
Some days it might be difficult to feel grateful. Start small - notice the little things in your day that bring you a sense of gratitude (your morning coffee, a sweet text exchange with a friend, long hugs from your partner).
And if you're looking for positive affirmations, here are a few that I find helpful to write down and meditate upon throughout the day:
I treat myself with kindness, respect & patience.
I am stronger than I think.
I ask for help when I feel overwhelmed.
I released all worry, fear, and anxiety.
I am not alone in this process.
Oftentimes the focus is on fertility being the issue, but it could be other stressors that are the root of what’s going on. At minimum, managing stress in a healthy way can bring a sense of calm and peace to the fertility journey. If you're looking to go the extra mile and do some emotional release work, I would recommend doing Psych-K.
I encourage my clients to check in with themselves every day and assess what’s causing them stress, identify ways they can actively de-stress , and name what they can let go of that day. Practicing gratitude helps you find that inner peace and be well aware that what is yours will be yours.
If you’re working to manage stress or supporting clients in doing this, I’d love to hear more about your strategies and what truly helps you to live a healthier and more balanced life. Send me a message on Instagram and fill me in so I can cheer you on!
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