When people say “just relax, you’ll get pregnant,” it’s both aggravating and completely false. However, managing stress levels will likely allow you to feel better mentally, and boost your overall health. Stress does impact your body in a big way. This holiday season, if you begin to feel overwhelmed, try some of these easy stress-relief exercises. 

1. Try meditating. Meditation allows both short term stress relief and long lasting stress management effects. Meditation and mindfulness helps you to focus on exactly what you’re experiencing and feeling, and that you can’t worry about things that have happened, or may happen. Meditation takes practice, but it can make a big difference in your stress levels.
2. Take a walk. Walking allows you to get fresh air, change up your scenery, and move your body. Exercise is a great way to reduce stress, and walking is an easy and rewarding way to get some movement. Yoga is another great exercise that reduces stress and has both physical and mental benefits. 
3. Eat a healthy, balanced diet. A poor diet can hinder your ability to deal with stress. Eating a healthy diet supports mood regulation and energy levels, so that you are better able to combat stress in the long run. 
4. Make time for leisure and hobbies. It may seem like you don’t have time for activities like these, but letting yourself relax will greatly reduce stress levels. This will help you feel your best, perform better, and deal with adversity in a healthy way.

These are just some of the many stress relief techniques out there. The holidays can be extremely busy, and bring extra stress to your fertility journey. Through this time of year, it’s important to remember to protect you mental wellbeing and make time for yourself.