Guest Blog by Naomi Shaw
At Circle + Bloom we are passionate about the power of the mind-body connection and helping women, including those wanting to conceive, to use this unbelievable resource and body “intelligence” to improve health, well-being, fertility, energy, and anything else we desire. We want to ignite a mind-body movement that empowers women to take charge of their health. Our programs are designed to be elegantly simple, yet surprising effective and make it easy just sit back and let the enjoyment, relaxation and healing begin.
Our guest blogger, Naomi Shaw, shares with our community a few relaxation techniques which could be used in addition to our programs and even some while listening to our programs.
Undergoing fertility treatments takes a toll on a woman’s body and her mind. Shots to stimulate ovarian production and more shots to release eggs on demand leave bruises behind, but the worst pain for so many women is looking at a solid red line on a pregnancy test indicating that the stressful treatments failed.
Our health is closely tied to our minds. A negative state-of-mind puts more stress on the body. For many women, though, relaxation seems impossible during such rigorous treatment protocols. Telling a woman to ‘just relax’ becomes almost an insult. How do you relax when every month, every cycle, thousands of dollars are being spent to try and have a baby?
Relaxation and a sense of well-being of the mind are entirely in the hands of each individual. Letting go of control, of stress, of the breaking weight of the fertility process is imperative to give the body its greatest chance at success. Women undergoing fertility treatments should investigate these relaxation techniques:
1. Yoga
Breathing is vital to yoga, as without the mind, the body movements of yoga wouldn’t be possible. Controlled mindful breathing relaxes the body and sets the mind at peace.
2. Meditation
Each individual has a unique and preferred meditation technique. Some people sit quietly and take cleansing breaths, perhaps holding a positive thought or word in the mind. Others say prayers during meditation, focusing on the divine.
3. Massage
This relaxing indulgence also has possible health benefits, like helping to reduce anxiety. Allowing each muscle to relax helps put the body and mind at ease.
4. Pranic Healing
The life force or ‘prana’ is believed to be the real healer of the body. Pranic Healing utilizes no-touch healing to remove bad energy and replace it with good energy.
5. Reiki
A Japanese technique, Reiki is a hands-on healing that helps reduce stress and promotes relaxation. The principle behind Reiki is that the body has life-force energy; a lower level of life-force energy puts the body at risk for illness. Reiki helps fills the body—especially areas affected by negativity—with positive, healing energy.
6. Crystal and Gemstone Healing
Gemstones are believed to hold certain metaphysical healing powers. Some individuals wear circles of crystals on parts of their body to encourage healing. Agate, Carnelian, and Opal are a few gemstones associated with healing energy for infertility.
7. Music Therapy
Music can be a key to relaxation. A beautifully composed orchestral piece can immediately set the mind at ease. Find a song or composition that speaks to the soul, lie down, dim the lights, and just listen.
Relaxation techniques allow the mind and body to overcome the stress of fertility treatments. Before a treatment cycle begins, try to find a time to quiet the mind and relax the body. As a new cycle begins and the body begins to feel the physical effects, block out more time for relaxation techniques to bring the body and mind to a healthy and happy equilibrium. And always remember…mind over body.
Naomi Shaw is a freelance journalist residing in sunny Southern California with her husband and three children. She is a work-at-home mom that enjoys writing on fashion, beauty, jewelry, and health. She loves to garden, craft, and revamp furniture, making it look very much her own.
Johan says
Taking care of yourself is the most important thing you can do for everyone around you. Yoga, meditation, massage and self massage are easy safe and very effective ways to keep balance and control as central aspects in your life.