For many couples, starting a family can be a frustrating experience. Racing off to the doctor’s office for more medication or scheduling yet another invasive procedure can be overwhelming. It’s no wonder so many people feel like throwing in the towel. But before you do, there are some healthy options that can help you take back control over your body. Whether you’ve just started thinking about beginning a family or whether you’ve been struggling for a while to get pregnant, here are some simple ways to boost fertility, naturally.

1. Eat Right

Proper nutrition is a key part of any fertility program. Overindulging in processed foods, sugar, and trans fats can cause hormonal imbalance. Instead, focus on a diet rich in whole grains, organic fruits and vegetables, high quality protein, and healthy fats (such as omega-3 fats). Opting for a healthy diet will help regulate your hormones and rev up your fertility.

2. Keep Active

Another great way to increase your chances of getting pregnant is to get moderate levels of regular exercise. Walking, cycling, and yoga are all great, low impact activities that will help strengthen your body, improve mood, and yes, support your chances of conceiving. Staying active will not only improve fertility, but also clear out toxins, and improve your overall health and well-being. Keep in mind, however, that excessive vigorous exercise may impede your fertility because it can increase the body’s stress response and alter hormone levels, so don’t overdo it.

3. Reduce Stress

There’s no doubt about it, dealing with infertility is stressful. However, failing to properly manage long-term stress can increase cortisol levels, which can negatively impact your reproductive system. Fortunately, there are some effective ways you can relieve anxiety and tension.

Yoga, for example, is a great activity that helps relax the body and mind to help balance your hormones. Meditation has also been shown to calm the mind and lower the stress response. You can also try visualization, a mind-body technique that uses imagery to help you understand your body and how to reduce stress.

4. Try Acupuncture

Traditional Chinese medicine has been used for thousands of years to treat a wide variety of issues, including fertility. Regular acupuncture sessions can increase blood flow to the endometrium, helping to support a stronghealthy reproductive system. When it comes to boosting fertility, acupuncture is beneficial for men as well. It has been shown to increase sperm production and quality, resulting in improved male fertility.

5. Use Reishi

Also known in Chinese medicine as “ling zhi”, Japanese reishi mushrooms have been used in many traditional treatments spanning over four thousand years. This unique mushroom species is renowned throughout the world for its ability to boost vitality, health, and longevity.

Commonly used to strengthen the immune system, reishi is also great for fertility. It helps to improve reproductive health by calming the nervous system and lowering the stress response. Plus, the medicinal properties found in reishi have been shown to support liver health, which is vital for bringing hormones back into balance. If you are looking for a natural and healthy way to ramp up your chances to conceive, reishi is a potent herb that can help increase fertility in both men and women.

If you have been struggling to conceive, don’t give up hope. With some positive lifestyle changes, holistic treatment options, and powerful herbs like reishi mushroom, you’ll be on the right track to boosting fertility and supporting a healthy pregnancy.