The Importance of Getting Exercise When It Comes To Your Mental Health

Stress management is extremely important for a person’s overall mental health.  It is especially important during fertility treatment, when emotions often run high.  Unfortunately, many people use unhealthy ways of coping with stress including overeating, withdrawing from friends, or having a drink.  These habits can all negatively impact fertility and should not be utilized while trying to conceive.  Instead, consider using exercise as a way to reduce stress and improve your mental health.

Exercise and Mental Health

Exercise releases endorphins, the chemicals in your brain that are responsible for feeling pleasure.  These pleasurable feelings can help to address minor issues with depression.  For these individuals, exercise can both prevent bouts of depression and can prevent having recurring feelings of depression. Furthermore, stress and tension often manifests physically.  Individuals who are experiencing stress may have strained muscles, bad posture, and other physical signs of their stress.  Endorphins can also address these physical symptoms by helping muscles to relax.

Positive Effects of Exercise

There are a number of mental and physical benefits of exercise that can directly impact your fertility:

• Improved sleeping habits
• Increased sex drive
• Increased endurance
• Relief of stress
• Improved mental state and mood
• Improved energy
• Increased alertness
• Obtaining and maintaining a healthy weight
• Improved overall health

Viewing Exercise Differently

Despite understanding the health benefits, many people do not like to exercise.  It can be thought of as a chore and often people use being busy as an excuse not to exercise.  As with all things, people make time for the activities that are important to them.  Thankfully, it is not necessary to exercise for hours on end.  You can make a substantial difference in your health with as little as 20 minutes a day.  Also, staying focused on your end result – a happy baby – can provide just the motivation you need.

While mild to moderate exercise is crucial for mental health, extreme amounts of exercise can negatively impact your health.  Be sure to speak with your fertility care team to understand what activities you’re able to partake in while undergoing fertility treatment.  While under a doctor’s care, it is important that the fertility team is aware of any actions that can impact fertility.

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