Stress Free Infertility...

...as if THAT is possible, right?!?! Talk about an oxymoron.

I came across this blog, Stress Free Infertility the other day and thought I'd share a post from there with ideas on how to be "stress free" through infertility.

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 IMAX

55. Watch your favorite TV shows

56. Watch videos on You Tube

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!

I blog, go to acupuncture, meditate and go to a support group (the top four) regularly, so I should be heading in the direction of "stress free". I also plan on getting a manicure and pedicure in the next two weeks. (I found a GREAT deal for $25 (regularly $65) on http://seizethedeal.com.) I also need to get my hair done before school starts. While I'm not sure if I will be stress-free after all of this, I'm sure I will feel a little better.

Enjoy your day! Do something nice for yourself today! (Even if it is laying in bed all day!)

Lazy Song by Bruno Mars