Looking After You: 7 ways to de-stress while trying for a baby

Trying for a baby can be, well, trying. If you’ve been trying for a baby without success, high stress levels may contribute to an irregular cycle making it difficult to make the most of your fertile days.

It can be easy at times to think there aren’t enough hours in the day, but most people should be able to find enough time for at least one of the below strategies. Taking that time out for yourself is important and these 7 de-stress methods may help make the process a little easier

.If you have 10 minutes:

Take a 10-minute stroll
Taking 10 minutes out of your day to get some fresh air and time to yourself is not only an easy way to get in some of our 10,000 recommended daily steps but is also an opportunity to clear your mind of little lingering stresses that arise during the day.

Identify what you are grateful for today
It’s known that finding a little gratitude in each day goes a long way towards achieving overall wellness. It doesn’t need to take long, but mentally taking note of three things you are grateful for each day – minor as they may seem – can help us find positivity even when the stresses of life seem overwhelming. If you feel like sharing, make it a point at the end of the day to share your gratitude with your partner or a friend, reminding each other to be mindful of the smaller joys in life.

Do some stretches
Often when we are stressed we can hold some of this tension physically. Whether you’re sitting at a desk all day, flat off your feet or relaxing on the couch it’s important to be aware of what our bodies are telling us. Getting up to relieve some pressure in your neck, back and shoulders can help re-set our minds and give our bodies a chance to prepare for the rest of the day

.For a simple side stretch, reach both arms towards the ceiling, clasp your hands together and gently lean from left to right, holding each side for 10 seconds.

For another office-friendly back stretch, hold the handle on a closed door at arm’s length and gently twist your head and torso to look to your left then right, holding each side for at least 10 seconds.

If you have 30 minutes:

Learn to meditate
If you’re not sure where to start, there are numerous free apps that can guide you through the basics of meditation and help you make the most of your quiet time. When you’re starting out, it can be helpful to begin in your own home with the help of a guide but the great thing about meditation is that once you feel more confident in your ability to mentally remove yourself from your surroundings you can do it just about anywhere!

If you have an hour:

Turn off your phone
We’re now consuming three times as much information per day as we were in the 1960’s, so it’s no wonder we can feel inundated by work emails, Facebook notifications, weather alerts, the news – the list goes on! But it can be hard to switch off…

Take an hour to turn off your phone and be present in your own world. Catch up on the outside world later on, but for now, take comfort in some ‘me’ time without disruption!

Take a yoga class
There’s no doubt that yoga has taken off as a trend over the past few years which luckily means there is an abundance of classes to choose from in all suburbs at most times of the day. Not only is yoga a good workout, but it is also a great tool in relieving stress and anxiety due to the breathing techniques used. Yoga teaches you to control each breath, concentrate on the movement and focus on listening to your own body.