De-Stress & Decompress: Tips to Relax During IVF Treatments

Are you currently going through IVF treatments or preparing yourself to start the process?  It’s no secret that IVF isn’t exactly a walk in the park, and for many, the process can also lead to emotional, financial, and physical stress.  However, studies have shown that reduced stress levels can lead to better male and female fertility.  While it’s much easier said than done, letting yourself relax and lowering stress levels may help the outcome of your fertility treatments and will also make you feel a lot better throughout the process.  Not quite sure how to get to that place?  We’re here to help with the tips below.  Check it out….

Avoid Unnecessary Stress.  When you’re going through IVF, the last thing you need is additional and unnecessary stress, so rule #1 is to weed that out.  This may come in the form of visitors, extra social commitments or activities, additional workloads, etc.  Do your best to keep life low-key and calm (at least during your treatment cycles), and DO NOT feel bad for during it.  You owe this to yourself!

Take Control of Your Home and Work Environments.  You spend a lot of time at home and at work, so it’s important to make sure that each environment is as stress-free as possible.  While at home, stop watching the news (it can raise blood pressure and cause anxiety), declutter your space, play relaxing music, use calming oils in a diffuser or light a candle with a relaxing scent.  When you’re at work, avoid negative coworkers, hard deadlines, and rush hour traffic. 

Try Acupuncture or Yoga.  Did you know there is a specific form of acupuncture for infertility?  Many people swear by it, so give it a shot, but make sure to discuss this with your fertility doctor first.   Also, consider taking yoga classes as it can be a great way to achieve balance and peace as well as a great form of non-aerobic exercise.

Live a Healthy Lifestyle.  A healthy lifestyle that includes a well-balanced diet and exercise can help lower stress levels and lead to a more positive outlook.  Not to mention, certain foods are known to boost fertility, which can only help your chances of a successful IVF (click here for more info on that).  Exercise is also a great stress reliever, but it’s best to check with your doctor to find out what form of exercise is best when going through fertility treatments.  

Incorporate Relaxation Response Training.  When you target the relaxation response (state of deep rest) in your brain, your blood pressure and breathing rate decreases, and you feel more relaxed and less anxious.  Those who practice this on a regular basis feel more relaxed and calmer throughout the day, and those who elicit the relaxation response during medical procedures report less anxiety, pain, and medication use. There are many different ways to go about this – meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and deep breathing. 

At IVF Florida, we are dedicated to providing our patients the best in fertility treatments and a level of care compassionate to what you are going through.  If you are interested in more information on fertility treatments or would like to schedule a consultation at one of our South Florida fertility centers, please give us a call at 866.770.2168.