Coping With Infertility During the Holidays
With the end of the year come many things. Snow, Christmas, presents… and life evaluations. If you’re currently trying to have a baby but haven’t yet been successful, this time of year may make you feel like you haven’t accomplished anything. Not only is this not true, but it’s a sure-fire way to stress you out. So as if the holiday season wasn’t stressful enough, add some infertility to the mixture and you have a recipe for anxiety. In this article, we’re going to help you find ways to help you cope with infertility during the holidays.
Why the Holidays Are Stressful
Yes, the holidays are stressful. MedicineNet explains that holiday anxiety is real, and is caused by plenty of factors, “including unrealistic expectations, financial pressures, and excessive commitments”. There’s even a seasonal depression, also known as SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), which causes certain people to feel anxious or depressed during the winter holidays.
How to Deal With Infertility During This Time
Aside from all this, the end of the year brings about a self-evaluation. What have you accomplished this year? Did you get a promotion? Lose weight? Travel more? And, more related to this article, did your fertility plan go as envisioned? If you’re coping with infertility, it may seem like your entire year went to waste. But the reality is that it didn’t! Here are a few tips that will help you reevaluate your entire year and help you calm your anxiety and let you enjoy this wonderful time of the year.
5 Tips for Coping With Infertility During the Holidays
Be Selfish
We don’t mean being mean to others. We mean putting yourself first. Handle everything in your own way: time with family and friends, time with your partner or spouse, time alone. If a particular party or reunion seems too painful to go to, then don’t. Trade it for something that makes you happy: from ice skating outside to baking cookies inside, you decide. Do something selfish that makes you happy and helps you destress.
Stay Healthy
Eat good, wholesome meals, get a full night’s sleep, be active, and move around for a few minutes, drink lots of water. All of that, every day. Sticking to a healthy routine will keep you focused on other things and help distract you from the difficulties of your infertility journey. It also helps pave the way for your body to be at its optimal point for when pregnancy does come. So it’s a win-win situation that will help you feel better.
Be Grateful
You have so many good things in your life! Don’t let your infertility difficulties take that away from you. Whatever you have, be grateful for it. Whether it’s your partner, your family, your friends, your job, or even your favorite book - take some time to make a conscious appreciation of all the good things you have in your life… because not everyone has them.
Communicate With Your Partner
Express your feelings, concerns, anger, and anything else you’re worried about with your partner or spouse. Chances are they’re probably feeling like that as well. Communication is key for any relationship, and even more so if you’re looking to bring a new life into the world. Do stuff that’s fun for both of you and become a shoulder to lean on for the other person. It’s the foundation for any successful relationship.
Get Help
Talking to someone who isn’t your partner is also one of the best ways for coping with infertility during the holidays. Online therapy is a great option for dealing with stress and to start feeling better, today. Lavender offers combined therapy and medication review/management appointments to holistically support clients with their therapeutic needs and goals.
We hope these 5 tips will be helpful for coping with infertility during the holidays. And always remember, it does get better. And you always have many things to be grateful for, especially this time of year. So just enjoy the little things!