Fertility Meditation for Couples >
Relaxation
Why?
Research has shown that stress can impair fertility in men and women by interfering with the production of hormones involved in ovulation, implantation and sperm quality. Not only can the stress hormone cortisol shut down ovulation in some extreme cases, but stressed-out women may also have irregular periods and ovulation times which makes getting pregnant harder. In men stress can reduce sperm count and quality.
Stress is something you can do something about. Mind-body techniques that reduce stress and increase fertility include relaxation techniques, hypnosis, massage, yoga and meditation. Now, of course, nothing is going to take all the stress away - getting pregnant will always have some element of stress - but by learning how to reduce and manage stress, couples can undo the harmful impact of stress and lifestyle on their fertility and give themselves the best chance of conceiving naturally.
Relaxation:
Calms the body and mind and helps relieve pent-up stress
It's a fact that you can't be stressed and relaxed at the same time
Helps to balance mind body and spirit
Provides beneficial "me time"
Improves circulation
Increases energy flow through the body
Is good for couples to experience together
What you can do
Meditation - research shows that achieving a state of "restful alertness" for 20 minutes a day for five days in a row can reduce both anxiety and levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Our Fertility Meditation for Couples has been designed with this in mind.Hypnotherapy - enables a deep state of relaxation (similar to meditation). We have designed products just for this purpose. Try our FREE mini hypnotic meditation Instant Calmer or download our wonderful Natural Fertility Boost.
Gentle yoga can be very soothing for the body and mind. A fantastic gentle relaxation tool. Practice yoga breathing at home or whenever you need to relax. If you haven't done yoga before, have a look at this practical and inspirational guide: Yoga for You.
Breathing - practice sitting or lying quietly and breathing in for a count of 5 and out for a count of 7. Practice until you are breathing in for 7 and out for 11. The longer out breath stimulates the sympathetic nervous system and relaxation follows.
Be kind to yourself: take time out of the day just for you.
Do a list of ten things you love doing and do one each day for an hour.
Spend time relaxing with your partner.
Learning and practicing relaxation makes it quicker and easier to relax at other times.
Limit the amount of stress in your lives.
Research and Articles
Psychological stress and semen quality - Brigman & Women's Hosp, Boston 1999
Stress and other environmental factors affecting fertility - Nat Inst. Environmental Health Sciences, 1993
Impact of lifestyle on reproductive performance - European Soc Human Reproduction & Embryology 2007
Mind-body program for infertility - Alice Domar, Harvard Medical School 2000
Body-mind meditation boosts performance, reduces stress - University of Oregon 2007
The conception connection - Psychologies Magazine 2006
Relax: Fertility improves when stress is set aside The Mind Body Medical Institute 2004
Lifestyle and Wellness - Stress and Infertility - Caremark Health Resources 2006
The Ultimate stress buster - The Independent Oct 2007
