With inputs from Ananda’s emotional healing consultant, Shikha Sud.

Fertility is often spoken about through a medical lens—hormones, cycles, treatments, and test results. But for many, the emotional landscape plays just as powerful a role. As Ananda's emotional healing consultant, Shikha Sud, shares: “Body, they say, is a shadow of the mind. The subconscious governs 90% of our responses and is purely emotional. Only 10% of the mind is rational and analytical.”

Our thoughts and beliefs shape how we feel. And how we feel directly influences energy levels, immunity, and hormone production.

The National Infertility Association revealed that 72% of couples undergoing fertility treatments report feeling emotionally strained, and 50% experience a decrease in relationship satisfaction. (Source: RESOLVE, 2020). For many individuals and couples, the journey toward parenthood is deeply personal and often unexpectedly emotional. It may begin with excitement and intention, but as time passes and uncertainty enters the picture, a range of emotions can unfold.

Why Emotional Health Matters on the Fertility Journey

The fertility journey can stir up excitement and anticipation—but also grief, guilt, frustration, and shame. Whether the process is smooth or complex, the emotional weight is real. According to the WHO, 1 in 6 people worldwide now experience infertility. Yet many feel isolated navigating it.

Whether facing treatments like IVF or simply waiting for that positive result, emotions can become overwhelming – “The emotional burden of truing for successful conception can obstruct the journey of fertility,” says Shikha. Partners may cope differently; many may find themselves needing more support. 

The Impact of Stress on Hormones

Modern science agrees that chronic stress interferes with reproductive hormones. High cortisol levels can disrupt ovulation in women and lower sperm quality in men.

Stress isn’t always obvious—it can come from subtle pressures: societal timelines, family expectations, or past traumas. Emotional patterns from childhood or even generational memory can resurface, adding another layer of emotional complexity.

“Each unsuccessful cycle can chip away at the individual and couple’s mental well-being,” Shikha explains. “Hope, hopelessness, self-blame, and shame are common. They can trigger deeply rooted emotional files that affect the body’s ability to stay receptive.”

Emotional Wellness Practices That Support Fertility

At Ananda, emotional well-being is woven into every fertility journey. From one-on-one sessions with our emotional healers to guided self-reflection, these tools create space for release, clarity, and calm.

Here are a few simple but powerful practices that can help:

• Self-Care Rituals: Daily movement, creativity, or nature walks restore joy and reduce overwhelm.

• Relaxation Practices: Meditation, yoga, breathwork, or even mindful rest bring the body out of survival mode.

• Venting Journals: Write your emotions on paper and destroy the page before sleep. “The subconscious registers this as release,” Shikha explains.

• Gratitude Practice: A daily list of things you’re thankful for helps shift focus from lack to abundance.

A Safe Space to Heal

The emotional terrain of fertility requires more than support—it needs intentional space. That’s why Ananda’s Fertility Enhancement Programme includes:

• Emotional healing and trauma-informed sessions

• Panchakarma therapies to cleanse the body and reset hormones

• Mind-body practices like yoga and meditation

• Traditional therapies from Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine 

Emotional alignment is not separate from fertility. It’s central to it.

“Fertility is the most natural, effortless process of life. But the mind and body must be in a state of calm and receptivity for life to flow.” – Shikha Sud

Fertility is not just about physical readiness. It’s about emotional safety, relational trust, and inner peace. With the right guidance, this journey becomes more than just a means to an end—it becomes an opportunity for healing, connection, and renewal.

To learn more about our Fertility Enhancement Programme, click here.