If your job is producing an extraordinary amount of stress then yes, it will increase your fertility to quit and here is why:

Most people don’t realize the stressors we endure in modern day life. Just as I write this I have numerous stressors that I have learned to ignore 1. The traffic driving by just beyond my computer screen 2. The phone ringing 3. Music in the background 4. The lingering list of to-do for Christmas preparation 5. The pesky worry of the future that pops up from my conscience to every day awareness 6. My husband typing on his computer… you get the idea. We don’t perceive these things as stress but the modern person is constantly multi-taking even in our peaceful office with aroma therapy and soothing music. The majority of people have real intense pressures from spouses, in-laws, neighbors, bosses, and financial institutions. This constant attack we endure stresses our sympathetic nervous system putting our body in a constant state of fight or flight wreaking havoc on our endocrine system and literally shutting down our reproductive system.

Fight or flight is a state in which we feel under attack that some have theorized was built into our bodies for survival against savage animals when we lived in the wild. When we feel our lives are at stake our pupils dilate to see better, our heart rate increases dramatically propelled by adrenaline so we can run quickly and our breath quickens. Unfortunately our digestive, urinary, bowel and reproductive systems get cut off. There is no need to reproduce or go to the bathroom when all of our energy needs to be expended in order to survive and flee as quickly as possible.

How this translates to modern day time is that our stressors are constant and overwhelming. The modern conveniences push us to do more, work more, be more. The intensity of the daily news is so traumatic one can’t help but be stressed by the devastating news of the world at large. We are constantly answering phones, texts, emails, paper mail just to get out the door in the morning and get our real work done. We are constantly bombarded by advertisers, telemarketers, politicians, local business men and women, churches, schools, and neighbors, to give, drive, celebrate and donate. We have accepted this as the way of life but it costly us all dearly in our health, weight, emotional well-being and our fertility.

We often run out the door with coffee sloshing in our mugs taxing our adrenals and slowing blood flow to our reproductive organs. Maybe a handful of crackers are shoved haphazardly in our mouths as we race down the road to sit in traffic and ward off maniac drivers. Then we turn on the radio to be bombarded with talk and gossip and dread. We rush into our offices only to find our irritated boss with a deadline to meet and a pay cut delivered and it’s only 7:30 a.m. The madness must stop. We all need to slow down, calm ourselves and take a good look at our lives to discover how we can reduce stress thereby improving our reproductive successes.

Here is a list of suggestions of how to reduce stress:

Work no more than 40 hours a week
Always plan something fun on the weekends
Exercise is a priority not a luxury
Swap Coffee for Green Tea or Teccino (herbal non caffeinated coffee substitute)
Learn to Meditate or Buy a Mind Body CD
Pray
Enjoy laughter with girlfriends
Make Love when you are NOT fertile
Love your job or change careers
Turn off your TV
Go on a news fast
Have lavender aroma therapy at home, work and your car
Listen to classical music
Learn to Belly Breathe
Get Acupuncture Even if your OBGYN says “You are Fine” Unexplained infertility responds well
Take a yoga Class
Spend time only with people who nourish you; avoid those who don’t
Rent a funny movie
Join Resolve (the non-profit that helps couples who have a hard time conceiving or staying pregnant)
Just say no to baby showers
Let it go
Use an ovulation predictor kit (clear blue easy around $200 is more helpful than just the wands)
Know that what you are going through is one of the hardest things any human can face but you will get through this so try to find the gems in the journey: meeting fabulous people, rediscovering compassion through your own suffering, a stronger relationship with God a more complete understanding of who you are and what you can endure.

Kristen N. Burris, L.Ac., M.S.T.O.M. is a nationally recognized Acupuncturist and Herbalist who has been featured in Parenting Magazine, Natural Health Magazine, National Public Radio (NPR) and KUSI TV News. Ms. Burris’ expertise includes: women’s health, fertility, pregnancy, difficult menstrual cycles, menopausal symptoms, digestive problems, and pain. Ms. Burris has also taught acupuncture to graduate students at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. She and her husband Tony Burris, L.Ac., M.S.T.O.M treat patients with acupuncture, herbal medicine and nutrition as natural medicine in their family-owned, private practice, American Acupuncture Center in Eagle, Idaho. Ms. Burris has treated patients at Top Fertility Centers Nationwide, San Diego Hospice, University of California in San Diego (UCSD) Integrative Clinic, and for UCSD Dental Study. Ms Burris was the creator of fertility retreats for couples and served on the board of RESOLVE, the non-profit organization supporting couples with infertility.

even I am sailing thru the same boat. Its since 4 years we are married and trying since three years..I havebeen meeting the gynaes from last 2 years and undergone a lot of tests and treatments , still here I am with no baby yet:(( Although I have taken work from home from the last one year, in order to combat with the infertility, nothing has clicked so far. I am planning to completely get rid of the ofice work so that i can stay cooly and peacefully…any suggestion? at the same time I am worried that after I quit, I may feel even more frustrated

Good luck with getting pregnant, my friend. I hope quitting your job and reducing your stress level helps increase your fertility.

I’m sending positive vibes and prayers your way for a happy conception…

Best wishes,
Laurie

I hope to report back in a couple of months with some success on the infertility front.

Best,
Vanessa

Even if you waited too long, Gena, you can’t beat yourself up about it. It’s done, and you did the best you could in the past. That is, you made your decisions for reasons that made sense to you…and at the time, they were the right ones.

That said — there’s still hope! Many women have children in their early 40s, and there’s lots of excellent information about getting pregnant and staying healthy as a 40 year old expectant mother.

I’d suggest getting an ovulation prediction kit and charting your temperatures, so you and hubby can time your “moments of intimacy.” I’m glad you’ve been checked for infertility, and that you’re both fine!

Good luck, and keep me updated! I’d love to hear how you’re doing, and if you get pregnant soon after quitting that stressful job.

All best,
Laurie

After my husband and I had 1.5 years of unprotected sex and no baby, we got checked out. We are fine.

So last month I gave notice at my job. My last day is in 2 days. I did not just quit because of the lack of baby. Instead, I decided the stress of the job was affecting so many areas of my life that I had to stop what I was doing. “How you live each day adds up to how you live your life.” Taking that into account, I did not want the way I have been living to be the way I live my life. So time for a new start. And yes, I am hoping the change will help us along in the baby area as well. After all, I am 38. I am running out of baby years. I waited so I could advance my career. And now I am worried I waited too long.