Distress has proven to be harmful to our bodies. Did you know that (In)fertility can increase feelings of depression and anxiety at similar levels to those who have experienced cancer? It's true! If you walk the path of (in)fertility, you are most likely experiencing high-stress levels.
Something many of us suspected is that distress can delay conception. In a study of 501 women in the United States, salivary α-amylase, a stress biomarker, was significantly correlated with time to pregnancy. Women with the highest α-amylase levels (at baseline) were twice as likely to subsequently experience infertility (Lynch CD., et al., 2014).
Dealing with this stress in practical ways and finding appropriate tools to do so are essential for helping your body prepare for conception.
What Is the Mind-Body Connection?
The mind-body connection is the concept that stress and anxiety can negatively influence our body (hormonal cascade, blood flow, etc). This same connection can help bring healing and balance to our bodies. Mind-body therapy is about learning different techniques to help aid in this healing process.
How Does a Mind-Body Approach Work?
The Mind-Body Approach uses mindfulness, therapeutic breathing & relaxation techniques, cognitive therapy, coping skills, and more. It provides healing, support, and guided therapy techniques that are helpful during all stages of the fertility journey. This focus on creating a stronger mind-body connection and learning strategies, tools, and ways to combat stress, fears, and anxiety are vital in supporting your TTC journey.
What Are the Benefits of Mind-Body Therapy?
In the last decade, the benefits of participating in mind-body therapy programs have been studied and found great results. Experiencing mind-body therapy programs creates an opportunity for healing through a safe community environment, a deeper connection to our minds and bodies, and learning techniques that aid us in combating the added stress (in)fertility brings into our lives.
Past participants of Moonstone Fertility mind-body therapy groups have reported reduced anxiety and depression and increased pregnancy rates. Also, 57% reported getting pregnant during the period when the group was running, within six months after the group ended, and several more after that.
If you're ready to deepen your mind-body connection and support your fertility journey in a new and impactful way, sign up for our programming today. We have an upcoming group starting this month that you won't want to miss.
* Please read our previous article here to learn more about the topic of Mind-Body Connection
Lynch CD., Sundaram R., Maisog JM., Sweeney AM., Buck Louis GM. Preconception stress increases the risk of infertility: results from a couple-based prospective cohort study-the LIFE study. Hum Reprod. 2014;29(5):1067–1075.