Coping with infertility and the holidays

 

Take control of the stress in your life…Especially when coping with infertility and the holidays.

It may seem that there’s nothing you can do about holiday stress.  But you have more control than you might think. In fact, the simple realization that you’re in control of your life is the foundation of stress management. Managing stress is all about taking charge: of your thoughts, emotions, schedule, and the way you deal with problems.

Stress can be even more overwhelming when you are going through infertility treatments and trying to build a family. This is especially true around the Holidays…everyone is expecting you to smile, to celebrate and to be full of joy.

 

Learning healthier ways to manage stress around the holidays

If your methods of coping with stress aren’t contributing to your greater emotional and physical health, it’s time to find healthier ones. There are many healthy ways to manage and cope with stress and stress around the holidays, but they all require change. Since everyone has a unique response to stress, there is no “one size fits all” solution to managing it. No single method works for everyone or in every situation. You can prepare yourself for the upcoming holidays and have plan in place:  nurturing yourself, setting limits with family/ friends and holding on to your hope for the future. If you have a plan you’ll be in a better place to handle life’s holiday stressors when they inevitably come.

 

Healthy ways to relax and recharge

 

  • Talk to a therapist or life coach.
  • See an Acupuncturist.
  • Get a massage.
  • Sweat out tension with a good workout.
  • Write in your journal.
  • Take a long bath.
  • Light scented candles.
  • Savor a warm cup of coffee or tea.
  • Play with a pet.
  • Work in your garden.
  • Go for a walk.
  • Curl up with a good book.
  • Listen to music.
  • Call a good friend.

 

Don’t get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and the holidays that you forget to take care of your own needs. Nurturing yourself is a necessity, not a luxury.

 

Resolve (resolve.org) has great articles on coping with the holidays. Some of the suggestions include:

  • Being selective about invitations to holiday parties (don’t feel guilty about not accepting all invitations.)
  • Plan time with family/friends who don’t have children if being in a room full of kids is not good for you at this time.
  • Spend time doing things you like best (Don’t pretend nothings is wrong any carry on as if it is business as usual.)
  • Have a plan in place on how you will handle difficult and insensitive questions and comments.  (Don’t be caught off guard.)
  • Set aside time to share your feelings with your partner (Don’t get caught up in the whirlwind of the holiday and forget about each other.) You need each other’s comfort now, more than ever.

 

 

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