Mind-Body Health

The Role of Energy and Stress in Fertility

The Role of Energy and Stress in Fertility
It’s easy to become obsessed with your diet, temperature, and ovulation schedule when you’re trying to get pregnant.

These things can actually exacerbate your infertility. We often rely on outside people and things to tell us what’s going on in our body—and that’s part of the problem.

Energy is an overlooked area in fertility. And yet, it’s made all the difference for my clients who’ve become pregnant. Getting back in touch with your intuition is key to maintaining positive energy and manifesting what you want.

Like energy attracts like energy, according to the law of attraction. So if you’re constantly thinking and feeling “I should be pregnant by now,” “It’s never going to happen,” or “I’m running out of time,” you will attract a desperate and lacking energy.

These thoughts can be changed; and your energy can be changed, too. Don’t try to jump from “It’s never going to happen” to “I could be pregnant this month.” You’ll expend too much energy trying to get there. Instead, take small steps forward. Before you know it, you will have bridged the gap and will be working from a positive base more often.

Try these three easy steps to start moving your energy in a positive direction.

Make a List

Make a list of why it hasn’t been the right time up until now. If you’ve been trying to conceive or have had miscarriages, look at that timeframe. Did you move? Get a new job? Have a health issue? Eating disorder? Perhaps you had a strained relationship with your husband or family member?

Tune into it and write down everything you can think of. It sounds weird but there’s something about seeing it on paper that helps your brain realize why it shouldn’t have happened in the past.

Burn or shred that list as a ceremonial goodbye. Understand that missed attempts were purposeful, but now you’re moving forward. Then write a list of why now is the right time. Include what you’re looking forward to and plaster it everywhere. Even when you stop consciously noticing these notes, you will subconsciously pull that excited, positive energy in.

Stop Monitoring for a Month

If you’re a super planner or a Type A wonder woman: stop monitoring ovulation sticks, temperature, cervical mucus, and your weight. Your body knows what to do and too many of us put our trust outside of our bodies. Commit to one month of no outside monitoring and feel what your body is telling you. Listen for cues from your body; that’s when the magic happens. Close your eyes and breathe down into your body. Listen and know that everything is good.

Create Space in Your Life

Create space for yourself if you’re in a stressful job. If you typically work late five days per week, commit to staying only two days late, and then eventually cut down to one.

Cut back on commitments that aren’t necessary. For example, a couple of my clients who are teachers were involved in their union, AP classes, taking two masters classes, and participating or organizing in after-school programs. Their brains (whose function is to keep them alive) sent the signal to the body that they literally couldn’t take care of anything else, and slowed down their reproductive and endocrine systems.

Their brains meant well; they didn’t want to add yet another thing to their plates. So they needed to convince their brains that they in fact did have space in their lives for a baby. One gave up her involvement in the teachers’ union and after-school program, one resigned as department head and gave up the AP classes. And it worked for both of them.

Don’t wait until you’re pregnant to cut back. Do it now. Show the universe you have room for this baby. Because right now, your brain doesn’t know how it’s going to take care of another human.

Make these changes for yourself. If you’re not sure how this will go over with your boss, let them or human resources know that you’re dealing with a physical condition and you need to cut back involvement. You don’t have to go into a lot of detail, and the result can make a lot of space for your little munchkin.

*Editor’s Note: The information in this article is intended for your educational use only; does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Chopra Center's Mind-Body Medical Group; and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before undertaking any diet, supplement, fitness, or other health program.


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