If one of your goals for the new year is to start a family, tailor your resolutions to help you achieve that milestone. Along with working with a fertility doctor, there are many ways you can improve your chances of conceiving.

3 Ways to Increase Fertility in the New Year

1. Quit Bad Habits

Smoking and moderate alcohol intake can reduce your fertility. Cigarette smoke contains chemicals that reduce estrogen levels and sperm count. The more drinks you consume per week, the lower your chances are for conceiving, so it’s in your best interest to stop drinking altogether when trying to get pregnant.

2. Find a Healthy Weight

Women who are underweight or overweight can have more difficulty conceiving. Underweight women lack the fat necessary for reproduction, so their bodies ovulate infrequently or stop ovulating altogether. Overweight women can also stop ovulating because estrogen released by fat cells has the same effect as hormonal birth control pills.

This resolution applies to men as well; being overweight can cause low sperm count and motility.

Your fertility doctor can provide guidance on the ideal weight for you to strive for. Begin gaining weight by increasing your caloric intake each day with healthy foods. If you need to lose weight, start by adding light exercise to your daily routine.

3. Stress Management

Dealing with infertility can place a large amount of stress on any couple. That stress can, in turn, decrease your fertility even further. Studies have found that 25–60% of infertile people report much higher levels of anxiety and depression than their fertile counterparts.

Finding ways to manage that stress can not only increase your fertility but also help you deal with the accompanying emotional toll. Try meditation or massage or another favorite self-care activity.

For more help improving your chances of conception in the new year, consult the fertility doctors at Pacific In Vitro Fertilization Institute in Honolulu, HI. Opened in 1985, this clinic was Hawaii’s first IVF treatment center and has helped couples start their own families ever since. Find out more about the clinic’s offerings online, or call (808) 946-2226 to make your first appointment.