How Stress from a Busy Lifestyle Could Be Impacting Your Fertility: A Guide to Balance It All
Balancing a busy career and trying to prep for motherhood? I get it—feeling overwhelmed is an understatement. If you're a high-achieving woman juggling deadlines, responsibilities, and fertility goals, it can seem like you're always teetering on the edge of burnout. But how does stress affect your fertility? And can stress prevent you from getting pregnant? Let’s talk about some practical tips to manage stress, boost your health, and keep fertility in focus—all without losing your sanity.
How Improving Your Stress Boosts Your Energy and Fertility
Ever had one of those days where you wake up and just want to crawl back into bed (especially if you work from home)? I’ve been there. Running on empty every day isn’t doing anyone any favors. Your energy levels are directly tied to how well your body is functioning at the cellular level. When your mitochondria (the tiny power plants in your cells) are running low on what they need, it shows up as fatigue, brain fog, and—let’s be real—just not feeling like yourself. That’s why I use functional lab testing like organic acids testing in my programs—to see just how much your mitochondria are struggling.
And here’s the thing: optimizing your health doesn’t just help you feel better—it’s a game-changer for your mental clarity, productivity, and creativity. The better you feel, the more you can excel in every area of your life—including prepping for pregnancy.
Time Management Tips to Support Your Fertility and Health Goals
Let’s talk about time. Ever heard that saying, "We all have the same 24 hours"? Yeah, okay. As a high-achieving woman juggling work, life, and fertility goals, that’s a pretty tough sell. No one’s telling you to work harder or “hustle more.” What we can do, though, is make better use of the time you have without overwhelming yourself with more to-dos.
Easy Meal Planning Tips to Boost Fertility and Save Time
Okay, I know meal planning can feel like another task to add to the list, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Eating out every day is convenient, but if you’re serious about your health and fertility goals, you’ve got to make your meals work for you. Here’s how I make it easy: I take about 45 minutes on a Friday morning to plan meals, write a grocery list, and set up a grocery pick-up or delivery. On Sunday, I spend just 1-2 hours prepping for the week. Done and done.
Here are my top tips to make your meals more nutrient-dense without extra work:
Add leafy greens to the bottom of finished plates.
Use fresh instead of dried herbs for more color, flavor, and antioxidants.
Add a drizzle of olive oil to your dish once plated.
Use bone broth instead of regular broth to increase protein and healing capacity of meals.
Sprinkle chia, ground flax, or hemp over salads and smoothies.
Opt for wild-caught fish or grass-fed meats for a better nutrient profile.
Incorporate fermented foods like kimchi or sauerkraut for gut health.
Use nutritional yeast for added B vitamins.
You Don’t Have to Do it Alone
Look, it’s totally normal to feel like you’re trying to do it all—and maybe that’s stressing you out, affecting your fertility. Can stress prevent you from getting pregnant? It’s possible. But instead of staying in research mode or scrolling Instagram for tips, let a functional wellness expert do the heavy lifting for you. It’s the best way to make sure your body is ready for pregnancy without wasting time guessing what’s best for you.
Schedule Downtime
This one’s simple but super important: schedule downtime. Yes, actually put it in your calendar. Maybe it’s 30 minutes in the morning for some “me time,” where you can journal, practice gratitude, or just enjoy a cup of coffee in peace. If you’re feeling like you can’t 30 minutes for yourself, well… maybe you need an hour instead. (Yep, I said it!)
Does that last statement make you feel any particular way?
How Shifting Your Focus Can Improve Fertility and Well-Being
Here’s something I want you to know: it’s okay to feel like your career isn’t your top priority anymore.
I’ve talked to so many women who have achieved their professional goals, only to feel like something’s still missing. Maybe you’re feeling a pull toward something deeper—slowing down - like motherhood. It’s completely okay to shift your focus and start putting yourself first so you can confidently step into this new chapter.
It’s time to put yourself first, so you can step into motherhood confidently.
Finding balance between ambition and preparing for motherhood doesn’t have to be a struggle. By optimizing your health, managing stress, and listening to your body’s needs, you can thrive in both areas of your life. Ready to take the next step? Let’s work together to help you balance it all and boost your chances of a healthy pregnancy.Grab my free pregnancy prep checklist
Grab my free pregnancy prep checklist as a quick place to start, and I’ll be in your inbox with more tips to get you there week after week (no spam, I Grab my free pregnancy prep checklist promise #ew).