Fertility

Fertility Help – Madeleine Shaw on How to Cope with Anxiety

Eloise Edington | 19 Apr 2020

With the unwanted fear and burden of Covid-19, we’re faced with social distancing and lock-down in many countries, not knowing when this might end. So today more than ever, we are suffering anxiety over our health, loved ones, trying to conceive and even being pregnant. To ease the tension and to change our mindset into a positive one, we’ve asked wellness health guru and author, Madeleine Shaw for her top tips.

Over to Madeleine…

www.madeleineshaw.com | @madeleine_shaw_

With busy schedules and work worries (especially with the current health pandemic), lack of sleep, poor nutrition and lack of exercise, it can be easy to let life get on top of us, causing all sorts of stresses and anxieties. Inevitably, we will all feel stressed and anxious from time to time and do not feel like there is a way out. The good news is that there are many coping methods available to relieve any stress or anxiety you might be feeling. Here are my top fertility tips to help you stay happy, healthy and stress-free!

Take Time-Out

We can all get caught up in the moment and work ourselves down to the ground, so it is important to listen to our bodies and know when it is time to take a break. My favourite way to relax is to practice yoga and meditation daily. Listening to music or getting a massage are also great ways of clearing your head and relieving any tension.
Check out my Glow Guides app where you can find (fertility) yoga guides and meditation that will help you take a little you-time each day.

Exercise

Daily exercise is so important for your health and your mind, especially when you’re trying to conceive. Exercise gives us all a natural boost from all those lovely endorphins being released; it will make you feel so much better – I know how great it makes me fee!. Even when I’m feeling sluggish and lethargic, I pop on my favourite pair of leggings and just do it (Nike style!) I always feel ten times better for it. It doesn’t have to be a marathon. Just taking a walk round the block or a gentle yoga session from home will give your body the movement it needs.

A Good Friend

Never underestimate the power of a good friend and a good laugh. If you are feeling stressed out, catching up virtually with a friend at this time can be a great way to make you feel better. Welcome humour and remember a good laugh goes a long way! Check out Fertility Help Hub’s App, Fertility Squad where you can meet and connect with others who are TTC and mentors who have walked the walk.

Nourish

For years we’ve heard nutritionists telling us how you are what you eat and there is good reason for it! What we put in our bodies plays a huge part in how we look and feel. It is so important to nourish the body and keep an eye on our gut health, so that it gives us the energy we need. Follow some of my delicious recipes to start nourishing your body.

Sleep

Hooray! That 10 minutes extra snooze in the morning might actually be doing you some good, or even better getting to bed earlier. Getting enough sleep is important for the body to repair itself. My favourite night-time routine is winding down with a warm cup of chamomile or peppermint tea and meditating right before I drop off to sleep. Getting enough sleep when going through IVF / fertility treatments can be really stressful, so check out the article below.

Stay Positive

The most important of all; remember you are beautiful, and life is beautiful. It may not seem it right now, but things will get better. If you are struggling trying to conceive and can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel right now, just remember that there are so many things that are going well in your life, and so many beautiful reasons to be happy.

You will get through this – promise.