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100 Ways to be Stress-Free Through Infertility!

Apr 14th, 2010
by Krissi.
19 comments

100   

   So, this is my 100th post and I’m so excited! Today, I’m listing 100 Ways To Be Stress-Free Through Infertility, devided into 10 categories! Enjoy reading it and using it as a guide! Grab my button on the sidebar so that you can access this list at any time! ;-)

100 Ways to Be Stress Free Through Infertility!

  1. Blog!
  2. Do acupuncture
  3. Meditate
  4. Go to a support group
  5. Go to fertility counseling or coach
  6. Go to a life coach
  7. Vent to/get support from family and friends
  8. Go seek answers or support on message boards
  9. Find support through groups on Facebook or Twitter
  10. Keep a journal
  11. *Take a walk outside
  12. *Walk on a treadmill
  13. *Take a spin class
  14. *Bike outside
  15. *Ride an elliptical machine
  16. *Take a Pilates class
  17. *Do Pilate’s at home
  18. *Do yoga at home
  19. *Do yoga at the beach
  20. *Take a (fertility) yoga class
  21. Window shop
  22. Shoe shop
  23. Clothes shop
  24. Shop for Home Decor items
  25. Shop for books, music, or movies
  26. Go to the mall or outlet center
  27. Shop on-line
  28. Shop with family (mom, sister, SIL, hubby, etc.)
  29. Shop with friends
  30. **Window Shop for baby items (Only if this doesn’t cause more stress)
  31. Drink plenty of water
  32. Drink hot herbal tea
  33. Eat organically
  34. Eat healthy meals
  35. Take a nap
  36. Get at least 8 hours of sleep
  37. Say a positive affirmation every day
  38. Take a hot shower
  39. ***Take a bath
  40. Put your feet up
  41. Read this blog ;-)
  42. Read other IF blogs
  43. Read updates on Twitter
  44. Read updates on Facebook-(infertility related or from IF groups)
  45. Read inspirational poetry
  46. Read your favorite authors
  47. Read infertility memoirs
  48. Read information from infertility books (Knowledge is power!)
  49. Read a good love story
  50. Read a book that has been turned into a movie
  51. Go to the movies
  52. Watch a feel-good movie at home
  53. Watch a comedy
  54. See a movie in IM.AX
  55. Watch your favorite TV shows
  56. Watch videos on Yo.u T.ube
  57. Go to a Comedy Club
  58. Go to an Amusement Park
  59. Watch the sunrise
  60. Watch the sunset
  61. Play a board game
  62. Play a game on-line
  63. Play a video game
  64. Play a game on your phone or P.D.A
  65. Host a game night with friends
  66. Go out for a game night
  67. Go to a fair to play games & win prizes
  68. Watch your favorite sports on TV
  69. Go to a local pub to watch the game
  70. Go see your favorite team play LIVE!
  71. Listen to a visualization CD
  72. Listen to soothing, relaxing nature sounds
  73. Listen to a playlist of slow, relaxing songs
  74. Listen to your favorite artist/band
  75. Listen to a playlist of your favorite uplifting songs
  76. Go to a concert
  77. Go to a local place for live music
  78. Go to a music festival
  79. Create/play your own music
  80. Have a party with a music genre as the theme
  81. Go on a date with your significant other
  82. Go out to dinner with your significant other (or with friends)
  83. Go to a Bed & Breakfast with your significant other
  84. Go on a picnic with your significant other (or with friends)
  85. Take a getaway for the weekend/week with your significant other
  86. Take a drive with your significant other (or with friends)
  87. Take a cruise with your significant other (or with friends)
  88. Go dancing with your significant other (or with friends)
  89. Go to a friend’s house with your significant other
  90. Be intimate with your significant other
  91. Get a manicure
  92. Get a pedicure
  93. Get a facial
  94. Get a massage
  95. Get reflexology
  96. Get your hair done
  97. Get your make-up done
  98. Go to a spa for a weekend or a vacation
  99. Have a girl’s pampering day
  100. Go relax at the beach for some sun therapy

*All of these exercises are low-impact. Consult a doctor if you wish to participate and listen to your doctor’s advice about whether you should exercise or not during a (medicated) cycle.

**This is not meant to upset anyone! I realize this may of course be hard for you! I happen to really enjoy the planning, and picking out and actually buying a few things before becoming pregnant. You may not. If it bothers you, please disregard!

*** Listen to your doctor’s advice about this. Some doctors advise against baths after a  certain time in your cycle (like after an embryo transfer or IUI). And the same goes for hot tubs. Please use your best judgement!

And thank you to all of you who have been with me on my journey for all 100 posts! I appreciate you all so much!

Update: This post originally had a giveaway that is now over! ;-)
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The 2WW Survival Kit

Mar 10th, 2010
by Krissi.
3 comments

    So the 2WW may drive us all crazy but distraction is key in order to survive. And whether you’ve been ordered bed rest post an IUI or IVF transfer, you put yourself on it, or you just strive to relax, there is plenty of things you can do that will keep you busy. 

  But one important thing to keep in mind: blogging, googling symptoms, and reading IF & success stories may bring you a sense of calm but during this critical time, you may want to “unplug” from anything TTC or infertility related. It can have the opposite effect and cause you more stress.

sunsetSo here’s my top 10 reccomendations for surviving the 2ww:

  1. Acupuncture
  2. Meditation (or any calming time with soothing music combined with deep, slow breathing)
  3. Sleep! Take as many naps as possible!
  4. Watch some  feel-good movies (classics & new releases) & your favorite shows/seasons on DVD/DVR or regular TV–especially if it makes you laugh!
  5. Complete your favorite puzzle books–these are great for passing those slow and boring hours/minutes of the day
  6. Read a few good books of your favorite genre
  7. Pamper yourself with mani-pedis
  8. Splurge with some light shopping –even if it’s just window shopping (whether it be strolling your mall or scrolling the internet)
  9.  Allow yourself time to be crafty (scrapbooks, drawings, paintings, slideshows, etc.)
  10. Make some of your favorite recipes or try out some new ones!

   No matter what, stay positive! There is no point preparing for a negative outcome because of symptoms or lack there of. You can’t jinx yourself! And thinking about it certainly won’t change the outcome.

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Strike A Pose

Feb 17th, 2010
by Krissi.
2 comments

   Since  yoga is so widely practiced, it isn’t too expensive to try. Going to a local gym or yoga center can be beneficial for better instruction (on properly executing your poses), for a calming and warm environment (since usually they crank soothing music and the heat), and for very effective and focused meditation afterwards (with no interruptions from your significant other, furbabies, or phone calls).

    However, if fertility treatments limit your extra time and/or money, you don’t have to go to a gym or center. All you need is a mat (which is more comfortable but a towel will do) and a DVD (or a soothing CD and an explanation of poses). 

    Here are some poses that may help with infertility through Love To Know: Yoga For instructions on any of the poses, click the appropriate linked text or picture! ;-)

     To stimulate your hormones, you can try the Bridge Pose 

yogajournal.com

Bridge Pose

 
yoga.lovetoknow.com

Supported Headstand

 
 
    or the more advanced Supported Headstand pose.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   To rejuvenate the body, you can try:
Wide Angled Seated Forward Bend
Wide Angled Forward Bend

Wide Angled Forward Bend

 
 
 
             Or Child’s Pose (among others).
   
Child Pose

Child Pose

   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
    And apparently, you can relax and stimulate the abdominal and reproductive areas at the same time with these poses:
 
      Lotus Pose
 
Lotus Pose

Lotus Pose

Or the Reclined Hero Pose
Reclined Hero Pose

Reclined Hero Pose

*Other poses are listed here: Yoga Poses for Fertility 
  
 Here are some Yoga DVDs specifically targeted for fertility I found on Amazon with 4 or more star ratings:
  Also, you may want to try: Bend, Breathe & Conceive
I hope these are helpful references. If you try any of them, please report back and let us know what you thought!
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Guided Imagery

Jan 7th, 2010
by Krissi.
No comments yet

      If you tried the Pink Light Meditation from yesterday’s blog, or have ever tried this type of meditation, you may find it difficult to remember each step. That’s why I always liked my meditation with some guided imagery.

deanshrock.com

deanshrock.com

     During my 2nd attempt at IVF, my husband and I started acupuncture and I was introduced to a whole assortment of new experiences, including visualization. My acupuncturist gave me a CD that guided me through a meditative state using images of light similar to the “Pink” or “White Light Meditation.” The big difference is, there’s soft music and a calming voice giving you reminders to relax your body, breathe slow and deep and “envision” fertilization whether it’s happening inside or outside the body.

    The CD I was given was specifically for IVF patients and broke down the imagery into different stages of the cycle, depending on what was happening (ie. follicle maturation, fertilization, implantation, etc.). This, combined with other new experiences (the acupuncture, organic diet, etc.), definitely helped me feel balanced and “connected” to what was happening inside my body. I did get pregnant on that cycle, so I would say, that it is worth a try!

      If your not going through IVF, there are other types of CDs out there that can simply help to keep you as stress free as possible during this challenging time.

     If you’ve tried one of these CDs (or are interested in trying one), please let me know if you’d like to guest blog to tell us about your experience. Thanks! ;-)

    Here are some links:     

Health Journeys

Anji Infertility Meditation CDs

Inner Vision Studio Guided Imagery MP3s and CDs

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10 Ways to Enjoy the Holidays #8

Dec 23rd, 2009
by Krissi.
No comments yet

     #8: Bake Cookies (while listening to holiday music) bakin'

     There’s something about the smell of warm cookies baking in the oven that puts a smile on your face. Choose your favorite recipe and make it a tradition! It is especially fun with holiday music playing in the background. It will lift your spirits, allow you to engorge in sugary goodness and give you something to share with family, friends or even co-workers (provided you have enough left over after you’ve baked them). So, pre-heat your oven, turn on the i-pod and get your groove on in the kitchen! Your inner child will thank you! ;-)

P.S. If you would like a special family tradition cookie recipe, go to:

http://myordinarymiraclesblog.com/2009/12/20/sharing-the-love/ Enjoy!

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