Even during those pre-Covid times, getting pregnant could cause some serious stress. In a 2004 study by the NIH, 122 women were interviewed prior to their first infertility clinic visit. In a psychiatric review, 40% of these women were diagnosed with anxiety, depression, or both (yikes!). The fact is that the onset of Covid (along with other volatile current events) didn’t help the cause.
So, if you’re feeling stressed about conceiving, know that you’re not alone! There are tons of little things you can do to improve your mindset and your well-being. You can’t control most events that occur around you, but you can always control your actions and take steps to improve yourself emotionally. Here are 6 of our favorite mental health tips!
If you have 5 minutes:
Jot down a quick to-do list
This list could include daily goals or longer-term goals. Summarizing your goals can help reset your priorities. We often spend time working on things that don’t actually help us achieve the goals that truly matter to us. Improving health by exercising and planning meals are great options to add to a to-do list.
Order a fertility test kit
We can help with this! A hormone test can provide insight into fertility roadblocks to having a kid. This can be a huge de-stressor on the path to pregnancy. By checking this to-do item off the list, you can continue on your journey knowing that you’ve completed a comprehensive fertility check-in.
If you have 20 minutes:
Go on a walk outside
Getting in the sun for at least 20 minutes a day helps put you on the right track for getting all of your Vitamin D requirements.
Read a book
This could be any kind of book – your favorite fiction story about a girl traveling around the world, a historical fiction book. Really any book that will help your mind wander.
If you have an hour or 2:
Purchase a plant for your room
According to the NIH, active interaction with plants can have a positive influence on stress and anxiety. Physiological and psychological stress can be reduced though active interaction with plants. This type of interaction includes smelling and touching. Our favorite is the Heart Leaf Philodendron!
Meet a friend for lunch
Talking with friends is so important for getting your mind off of baby-making. Humans are meant to interact with each other. Unfortunately, when you’re feeling depressed or anxious, going out and seeing people might be the last thing you want to do. Taking that first step and seeing a friend can put you in a much better headspace.
Virtual therapy session
Paying a professional to talk about your emotions is money well-spent!
Just start with one thing
At the end of the day, there are a bunch of different methods to reconnect with yourself and reset your mental state. There’s always going to be items on your to-do list, but taking the time to improve your emotional well-being will help in the long-run.
With Orchid, we make it easy to be proactive and get immediate information about your health and fertility. If you’re feeling depressed or anxious about your chances of conceiving, our advanced at-home hormone test can give you a baseline for your fertility, as well as a pass forward for improving your conception chances.