Infertility stinks every day of the year, but its effects are often magnified during the holidays. I've put together a list of 8 great things you can do to make your holidays manageable, and maybe even have some good times along the way.
1. Exercise.
I know that not everyone loves exercise as much as I do, but the fact of the matter is that exercise has tremendous power to alleviate stress and anxiety. Exercise triggers the release of endorphins or feel-good hormones in your brain, and it plays an important part in balancing many other hormones that keep your body running well.
You don’t need hours and hours in the gym; just a 20 minute walk is plenty if that’s all you’ve got time for. Bonus points if you can do it outside and get some sunshine and fresh air, too!
2. Practice mindfulness.
Yoga, meditation, visualization. Whatever you enjoy the most. Mindfulness activities are proven to increase feelings of peacefulness and calm, while decreasing feelings of worry and stress.
If you don’t currently have a go-to mindfulness practice, check out my post on fertility meditation for some tips on getting started.
3. Start a new tradition.
This is a great time for you and your partner to create your own holiday tradition. Maybe you go away for a couple of days alone, or you plan your own movie marathon. Whatever it is, it should be something special that you can both look forward to and enjoy together.
4. Think about what you will say when you’re at holiday parties.
If you make a plan beforehand, you won’t be caught off guard when confronted with an awkward or probing question. How much information do you want to share? Maybe you want to acknowledge that you’re having problems without going into details or maybe you prefer to keep it totally to yourself. What will you say to your mom’s nosy friend when she asks when you’re going to have a baby? Thinking through your answers ahead of time can eliminate a lot of anxiety!
5. Rely on your support system.
Check in with the people who know what you’re going through. Supportive family and friends, and fertility support groups can play an important role in helping you survive the holidays.
6. Just say “No.”
You don’t have to accept every invitation and go to every party. If you know that a particular event will have a lot of pregnant women or young children and it will be too hard for you, skip it. No one else will look out for you like you, and if you know that it would be a bad idea to go, then don’t. No need to feel badly about it.
7. Give back.
If you’re feeling like your holiday season is missing something, you could think about volunteering. Volunteering has been shown to produce a sense of well-being and satisfaction, and there are always many opportunities available around the holidays.
8. Be kind to yourself.
Above all else, be kind to yourself during the holidays. Fill your time with activities and people you enjoy. Get plenty of sleep and eat well. And know that you’re not alone.
If you could use more fertility support at the holidays, or anytime, schedule a free call to learn more about how I can help you.
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