What Is Self-Care?
Self-care is the practice of taking care of all aspects of your health, placing an emphasis on physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. Self-care looks different for everyone, and there’s not just one “right” way to do it. Engaging in activities that make you feel great and relieve stress is generally what you should incorporate into your daily schedule. Note, self-care isn’t selfish, and it’s healthy for you and your partner to take time for yourselves either together or separately.
Why Do You Need Self-Care?
The stress and pressure you may feel when trying to conceive a baby, especially a particular gender, can have detrimental effects on your mental health if it’s not managed correctly. According to a Clearblue article, it’s normal for it to take up to a year for a couple under 35 and in good health to conceive. However, it’s not the same for each couple and can take longer than that. Despite knowing how long it could take to conceive, some couples will still get severely discouraged.
Depression and anxiety are two of the most common feelings associated with not conceiving within the timeframe a couple has set for themselves, so try not to put too much pressure on you or your spouse. This pressure you put on each other will carry over into the bedroom and further hurt your chances of getting pregnant. How? Because it can cause medical problems like erectile dysfunction or decrease the desire to have intercourse.
Don’t allow preconceived notions to throw you off your game and further mess up your chances of having a baby. If you or your partner cannot overcome certain difficulties in the bedroom, consider talking to your doctor about the options available. They can refer you to the proper specialist to assess your low sex drive or prescribe ED medications like Cialis to help you maintain an erection. Correct these issues quickly, so nothing stands in the way of you starting a family.
Keep reading for self-care tips any couple can utilize to relieve stress and promote better health when trying to conceive.
Tips to Try
#1- Talk to Someone Other Than Your Spouse
Believe it or not, just talking to someone about what’s on your mind and letting them know how you feel is self-care. Remember, self-care is about taking care of all aspects of your health, and that includes your emotional wellbeing too. Whether you’re keeping your emotions bottled up out of fear of what others will say or because you don’t know how to express them, keeping how you’re feeling to yourself can cause a lot of mental strain.
While communication is vital for couples trying to get pregnant, sometimes you need outside help as well since your partner can only offer so much advice. It’s okay to talk to a family member or close friend about what’s going on because they can give you an alternate way of thinking about your current situation. It also never hurts to have additional support from a mental health professional as you may need it during this time.
#2- Take a Break From Trying For A Moment
It may be difficult, but consider taking a break from trying to conceive a little boy or girl for a moment. It can be for a day or even a couple of weeks, depending on how your stress levels are. Excessive stress will not help your chances of conceiving; it will only hurt them. Stress can actually lead to a woman forming unhealthy habits like emotional eating or drinking too much alcohol.
Instead of scheduling sex or having intercourse with the thought of a baby on your mind, try having sex just because. Unscheduled intercourse will help you to rekindle passion in the bedroom and take some pressure off of both parties. Sexual intercourse can also serve as a way to relieve a great deal of stress by raising your endorphin levels. Aside from that, sex can be good for your physical health too since it can actually be seen as a light workout and lower your blood pressure.
#3- Schedule Some Rest And Relaxation
During your conception journey, sometimes you and your partner just need to unwind and relax. Similar to how people need a day off of work, couples need a day or two off from trying to conceive. This can look like a laid back day in your house or like a vacation to somewhere you, and your significant other always wanted to go. The point is, do something with your spouse that makes you feel calm and happy.
For the couch potatoes out there, consider having an at-home movie night. Cook some of your favorite dishes, play movies you love, dim the lights, and even light a few aromatherapy candles for added relaxation. For those who want to do a little bit more, try going to a spa for a couple’s massage. It’s a great experience to have with your significant other and should help you release any tension you both may be carrying.
#4- Eat Healthy and Get Exercise
As your focus may be on starting a family, other things that you used to do for yourself may be taken to the back burner. However, they shouldn’t. The foods you eat, how much sleep you get, and how much you exercise can all influence your health and, therefore, your chances of conceiving. Making sure that you upkeep your body is essential for your future baby and yourself.
Do your research on foods that boost fertility in couples and will keep you energized and healthy. Also, try exercising with your spouse a few days a week to promote better overall health and strengthen the bond between both of you. Having a shared activity may help to improve intimacy in your relationship and create a better conception journey for both of you.
Never forget that this is supposed to be one of the happiest times in your life. Whether you conceive within two weeks or six months, don’t get discouraged and keep hope! When the day comes, and you’ve found out you’re pregnant, research some tests that you can take to determine the sex of your baby and be fully prepared for the joy to come.