What are some general tips for improving female fertility?
1. Reduce stress. This is an ideal time to reduce any unnecessary stress, to nurture your body, mind, and spirit. Do your best to avoid stress and overworking, especially around ovulation and menstruation time. Incorporate yoga, qi gong, meditation, journaling, and time out in nature—all healthy outlets for reducing stress.
2. Detox. Remove toxic chemicals from your home and office, and eliminate potential endocrine disruptors, like BPA. Avoid BPA in plastics by not using plastic wrap on hot foods, no plastics in the microwave, and replace plastic storage containers for food with glass or stainless steel.
3. Stay warm.
• Keep your feet, lower abdomen, and lower back warm. The Kidney meridian, which begins at the foot and connects to the uterus and ovaries, is the root of fertility, and needs warmth for optimal circulation and fertility support.
• Focus on warm, room temperature drinks, and warm foods. Avoid ice-cold beverages, foods straight from the refrigerator, cold fruits, and raw vegetables.
• Avoid sitting on cold surfaces, which can penetrate reproductive organs.
4. Sleep well. Try for at least 8 hours of sleep a night. This is important! Our hormones, which directly influence the ovaries and reproductive health, are dependent on good sleep habits. Sleep before 10 p.m., so the liver can detox.
5. Eat organic, pasture-raised, grass-fed produce, meat, poultry, and dairy products.
6. Eat well. Eat slowly. Eat a variety of fresh, unprocessed foods, like organic and local fruits and vegetables, grass-fed meats, and healthy fats. Limit fish consumption and avoid all fish high in mercury. Choose deep sea, short-lived, small fish like mackerel, wild pacific salmon, and halibut instead. We will provide more specific guidelines, based on your constitution, after your initial consultation.
7. Strike a balance. Listen to your body and find a balance in the yin energy of rest and restoration and the yang energy of exercise and movement. Be moderate with exercise during this time. Too little or too much can directly affect your fertility. It is especially important to avoid vigorous exercise during menstruation time. Avoid high-impact, high-intensity exercise during and after ovulation as well.
8. Nurture yourself. It is normal to have feelings of stress and anxiety during this time. Do your best to avoid excessive mental or physical work and worry. Overwork can damage the spleen, which in turn decreases proper assimilation of nutrients, and turning food into energy. Spend time outside in nature, with people and pets you love, and be kind to yourself and your loved ones.