Stress is one factor which has a strong correlation with fertility and the ability to get pregnant. Stress and fertility are two things that influence each other. Studies are still carried out to determine which comes first, whether stress is causing infertility or the other way around, infertility is one among the causes of stress.

Understanding stress

Fertility experts agree that stress is one of the factors that can decrease the chances of getting pregnant, thus it should be managed properly. It is a reality that there are many things around us that can cause stress. These things that can cause stress are called stressors.

Stressors are elements in our daily life which can be related to subjects like marriage, parental problems, interpersonal relationships, occupation, environments, financial, legal, life-cycle changes, ailments and traumatic experiences.

Stress appears when somebody is not able to adapt to the requirements and challenge she or he has to face. In other words, stress may rise due to the imbalance between life demands and the ability to meet them. Everyone experience a degree of stress. Some are able to manage stress very well, but others may show both physical and psychological symptoms.

Managing stress is by the means of improving one's immunity against stress. Here are some tips on how to improve body immunity so that you will be more resistant against stress and able to cope with environmental changes and increasing demands. This will eventually help you to successfully implement your pregnancy plan.

#1 - Implement good eating habits

Choose healthy food. This includes a sufficient amount of food and balanced calorie between carbohydrate, fat and protein to avoid obesity or under weight. Do not over eat and stop eating before you feel enough. Get used to eat warm food, since cold food may decrease body immunity against infection. Eat regularly, schedule it in the morning, afternoon and at night and do not be late.

#2 - Sleep well

Sleeping is the best natural remedy for the recovery of physical and mental fatigue, and is one of the basic requirements in our life. So, sleep regularly, about 7 - 8 hours at night every day or for at least 4 days in a week. This is to maintain your body immunity. Sleeping for 3 - 4 hours or less every night will cause the drop of your immunity and you can be easily susceptible to stress. Remember the old phrase: "Early to bed, early to rise will make a man healthy, wealthy and wise".

#3 - Exercise regularly

Everybody knows that exercising will keep you healthy. But it needs a strong will and discipline to exercise regularly. You can exercise at no cost by walking or jogging at your neighborhood, or do some simple aerobics. Exercising about 10 - 15 minutes every day or at least twice a week will be sufficient or until you sweat. Take a warm bath after exercising. Remember this Greek saying, "Men sano in corpore sano" which means "In a healthy body lies a healthy mind"

#4 - Quit smoking

The danger of smoking has been recognized since long ago. The implication of smoking to our health is very clear. With the temporary euphoria and addictive effect of nicotine, a person can easily be trapped into stress. The decline of immunity is also due to the suppression of appetite which may cause insufficient food intake required by the body.

#5 - Avoid drinking alcohol

Many people drink alcohol as one of their social behavior. It is alright when you know the limits. But remember that becoming an alcoholic is a matter of a very thin line to step over. Drinking alcohol is often used as an escape from "the real world problems" which in the end will drown someone in a miserable alcoholism. There is a long list of sad stories about alcoholism which ends up to death. So, simply avoid drinking alcohol, at all.

#6 - Watch your weight

Keeping your ideal weight is an assurance of your body resistance against stress. Both overweight and underweight will decrease our body resistance against stress. Check your ideal weight first using the Body Mass Index (BMI). Take the necessary actions to meet your ideal weight by the means of dieting and exercising.

#7 - Socializing

As a social well being, no one in this world can live without others or live alone like Robinson Crusoe. Socializing or getting along with others will increase your body immunity against stress. Create healthy, balanced, harmonized relationship with friends, neighbors, fellow employees and other members of your family.

Have somebody very close or close friends who you can talk to and discuss anything to ease your mind, whether it is a problem, happiness, sorrow, success, everything. If you can't find someone, do not hesitate to consult an expert or professional (doctor/psychologist/psychiatrist)

#8 - Make your time valuable

Good time management in your daily life will increase your immunity against stress. Scheduling your activities at home, school, office or social is of most important. "Time is money", they say to remind us about the great value of time.

Manage your time efficiently and effectively. Get the utmost of your time in terms of productivity.

Do not delay something if you can do it now to avoid panics close to deadlines. On the other hand, do not run out of time, estimate your time needed to finish a task or job. Assign some time to do work, for your family, recreation, sleeping, exercising, eating, and last but not least, spent some time with God.

#9 - Experience religion or believes to the fullest

Human beings possess their basic spiritual needs. Religion or believes is something that could inspire us and should be experienced to the fullest and not merely a formality or status. Religion or believes will give us strength and a piece of mind in facing the pressure and challenge which we encounter every day. Many studies have proven that people with strong believes are significantly related to strong physical and mental immunity

#10 - Recreation

Going out for a healthy recreation once in a while is a good way to restore your physical and mental immunity from a monotonous or boring life. Going out relaxing with your family or friends should be put in your schedule of activities. Besides the enjoyment, spending some times with your family will develop harmony, closeness, understanding, love and care between the family members.

#11 - Financial

Balance your income and spending. Never spend higher than what you could earn. Use your money wisely, and assign more for productive matters rather than relieving your consumptive desire. Buy what you need, not what you want. In trying to meet your social and career ambition, do it in a manageable and controllable way considering your strength and weaknesses, ability and limitation

#12 - Love and care

To love and to be loved is one of a human being’s basic needs. Love and care should be developed among family members, husband and wife, parents and children to gain harmony and feelings of security. This is the core of a family strength and immunity against stress. A study in the United States has shown that about 80% of the executives experienced stress due to the disharmony in their families.

#13 - Others

Other means to strengthen physical and mental immunity against stress is by exercising some relaxation, meditation and yoga. Herbal relaxation by the means of massaging, bathing and aromatherapy is also helpful in regaining the spirit and strength to face the world.

Well, that concludes several tips on how you will be able to manage stress instead of avoiding it. Discuss these points with your obstetrician or doctor to make them more workable considering your particular condition. Hope you a success.