Stress

[Arose527]

How do you all manage stress? I know that reducing stress (some how) makes this process a lot easier on your body. I just don’t seem to know how to do that. I’m natually a worried person to a fault. I plan and try to calculate things in every possible direction. I’m a registered nurse in the emergency room. Initially I thought staying busy - would take my mind off things but it seemed to get overwhelming. Now trying to not plan anything and go with the flow leaves me pacing and uneasy. What are things you’ve tried to create balance and peace in all of this!

[Esme78]

It can be very hard, Arose527, but different techniques work for different people. Try:

* short walk every day, preferably in the countryside

* reading a good book

* having some acupuncture, reflexology and/or attending a local yoga class

* doing some positive visualisation - it only needs to take a few minutes

* listening to relaxing music/watching a fun movie/planning a treat like a meal out

* writing your thoughts and worries down in your own journal

* being mindful of managing work-life balance - stress is bad for fertility!

* speaking with a qualified counsellor

Good luck - I am sure you'll work it out for yourself.

[Arose527 in reply to Esme78]

Thank you for responding and the suggestions. Great reminder, I once upon a time use to journal my thoughts. So incredibly helpful. Truly thankful for a great reminder!!! I was trying so many other things to keep busy, forgot this simple one.

[Sunshine92]

I too work in a very busy hospital and like you are a natural worrier. Ive tried everything from acupuncture, hypnotherapy, yoga, mindfulness, cognitive behavioural therapy. Nothing has helped me completely. Im now on anti depressants and having reflexology and im feeling better.

Work is both a blessing and a curse .. good in that while im at work im so busy my mind is elsewhere, but bad in that i finish feeling exhausted and stress exacerbating my fertility woes.

Id say try and make time for you and make plans to have things to look forward to. Lots of love xx

[Arose527 in reply to Sunshine92]

Love the statement work is a blessing and a curse. It’s so true. I also think they way nursing trains your mind to think different, isn’t like other professions. I swear mine has no off switch too. You automatically assess people, their gait, breathing, skin and etc. You can’t help to assess your own at times too.

[Kari55]

Mindfulness meditation. I use an app Insight Timer. But you have to do it every single day to feel the benefits. I like meditation by Tara Brach and Sarah Blondin.

[Arose527]

Going to look for this and download it. Im part of a lay Buddhist organization. Love meditation. Always up for trying something new. Thank you.

[Kari55 in reply to Arose527]

That’s brilliant, the Buddhist teachings help me a lot, there is just so much wisdom there.

[Arya10]

As well as everyone else’s suggestions, I’d recommend Yoga With Adriene, hundreds of free short yoga sessions. She has been a lifeline for me: yogawithadriene.com (or search for her on You Tube).

[LegoBatgirl in reply to Arya10]

Would totally second this, she's amazing x

[LegoBatgirl]

Thanks you so much for asking this and being open about your worries. I think it's so important that we all help each other.

As some people here know I used to have panic attacks but I was ok for a while - I'm about to start my first round as soon as AF shows up but the panic attacks are back with the stress of the process. I honestly think counselling really helps though if your clinic offers it.

Best of luck with your treatment x

[Arya10 in reply to LegoBatgirl]

I have panic attacks too LegoBatgirl. They’re scary aren’t they! I kinda appreciate them though - for me they help let out pent up emotions. Obviously it’s better to deal with the emotions before it gets to that stage but sometimes I’m not able to. x

[LegoBatgirl in reply to Arya10]

Yeah they're awful but sometimes I do feel somehow lighter after one. Best of luck with your treatment and drop me a PM if you ever want to talk about things x

[Arya10 in reply to LegoBatgirl]

I always feel lighter after one too, tired like I need a nap but lighter. Thanks, I will x

[Hidden]

So all of these suggestions about relaxing are so helpful but to add my own experience...although this advice is perhaps not most suitable for work ! I think allowing your self to be angry can help. So my therapist has suggested that my panic attacks and anxiety is partly to do with suppressed anger,and I think she's right , as I've been working on it - so not justifying or excusing a feeling about something but letting myself get angry in my own private space for a few moments - and it passes... and so doesn't translate to anxiety...

Also I hold my belly and say up... down... As it rises and falls if I'm anxious really helps.

Good luck X

[Arya10 in reply to Hidden]

Oh definitely Laurajane, I’m glad you said this! Really important to allow ourselves to feel the anger (or whatever). That’s something that has really helped me. My mother trained me to suppress my emotions growing up and that’s turned into chronic pain and anxiety. But being able to acknowledge and validate those feelings is quite liberating.

[Arose527 in reply to Hidden]

I replied but it didn’t post. I’ve been seriously angry lately. Lots ups and down in this process. Been trying for a baby for 3 years now. Working with infertility doctors for over a year now. I wish there was something wrong other than low hormones. I think I’d handle it better. Underneath watching others get pregnant with out even trying, it’s making it harder to have hope of having a child. It’s super expensive in the US. 2 days ago was really the first day that I allowed my self to feel sad and angry. The past few years - I’d let it pop out just for a minute or two. Then tuck it all back in and wear this smiley face even though I was coming apart underneath. Didn’t want my close friends (who are having kids) to avoid talking to me because of sadness and disappointment involving iui and infertility treatments.

[Hidden]

Yes! Tell me about it 😁 you know it's controversial (I don't enjoy the pain of TTC) but I do think im going to be a better person the other side of this. The journey has made me work on things about myself ! Have a nice day while this sunshine lasts XX

[Arose527 in reply to Hidden]

Not familiar with TTC. I’ll have to look that up.

[powerhlth]

One thing I have found out and know for sure is stress levels and sleep are directly related. The more sleep you get, the lower your stress levels. For this, I have been taking some natural supplements to help me sleep better and reduce my stress levels. For over a year now, I feel so much better