LIVING WELL: The Journey to Fertility
The path to pregnancy is no picnic, especially if you’ve been trying for a while. You plan, execute, wait, and hope; then if the cycle did not work out, you have to pick yourself up and do it all over again. I call the process PEWH, and I go through the same cycle of planning, waiting, and hoping along with you. While we all know that some degree of anxiety can be motivating, we also know that overwhelming stress does not enhance fertility. I reduce my level of stress on weekends so that I can come back refreshed and be at my best for you, so here are some tips for managing stress that I began as a child and continue to practice today:
BE WILD – When I was young, I would put on my backpack and go into the woods for some serious exploring and hiking. I watched waterfalls gently caressing rocks and allowed myself to be hypnotized by the sound of water. I listened to birds singing and trees whispering in the wind. Sometimes when I was older, I tested products like waterproof clothing by trekking in rainstorms that later turned into snow and hail on the trail up to the top of Mt. Wilson in southern California.
Even though we are required to shelter at home for the coming weeks, we can still manage to control anxiety and reset our perspective by communing with the natural world. We can observe the color of the sky as it changes at sunset or sunrise, enjoy the play of shadows on a wall, feel the warmth of the sun on our skin, smell the fragrance of spring blossoms, or listen to the buzzing of insects or the chirping of birds. Nature is all around us, we just have to learn to pay attention.
BE SOCIAL – Time alone is conducive for healing, but social time is also a potent way to manage frustration and stress. Having a delicious meal along with good conversation can go a long way toward refreshing your energy and gaining perspective on whatever is bothering you. There’s no need to shy away from taking on intense subjects like politics, religion, personal finances, health, or family issues, because getting embroiled in a loud, weighty discussion can help drain away tension. If you can’t get together in person, you could always meet up on FaceTime or Skype.
BE A SUPERHERO – Even though we may not have the amazing powers of Wonder Woman or Iron Man, our behavior and intentions can be very powerful. We might try helping a volunteer organization develop their website, or contact a friend we think might be feeling lonely. We can participate in philanthropic endeavors, no matter how large or small. We can weed through unused items and get them ready for donation. We can help look out for family members, or the elderly, or a even a pet for that matter. We can say, “Thank you.” Reaching out to others increases the transmission of feel-good hormones that have a positive impact our sense of wellbeing.
EAT, SLEEP AND CONNECT – Often it’s the simple pleasures that are the most helpful in promoting calm and relaxation. Eat healthy and eat well, but do not overindulge. Sleep long and well, by avoiding late night news, binging on streamed shows, and checking messages or email. Even though right now we may need to keep our physical distance, we can lock eyes, smile, and convey our love by holding our hands over our heart when we see a dear friend. Touch if it is safe to do so, because human touch awakens life-force energy and makes us feel connected. Food, sleep, and human connections are useful restoratives that can help us balance our mood.
You may have other ways that you use to manage stress, anxiety, or frustration. The important thing is to be consistent and do it regularly. Doing a little each day and a little every weekend goes a long way toward strengthening your energy; it can help you sustain your resolve on the sometimes challenging journey to parenthood.