Here's How to Cope With Depression During Fertility Treatments

Tips to make you happier when fertility treatments have you feeling down

Undergoing fertility treatments can be an exhausting process. Not only is your body being bombarded with hormones or medications, but you are on a constant emotional roller coaster ride: hope and doubt, fear and excitement, relief and disappointment. Amidst all these feelings, you might feel like you are drowning. 

Thankfully, there are plenty of steps you can to take to keep your spirits up during this time. Take a look at some of our tips on coping with depression while undergoing fertility treatments. 

Get moving 

If you are experiencing depression, you might be struggling to get out of bed, let alone get yourself to the gym. But if you can gain some momentum, you will feel the enormous benefits that exercise has to offer

As Elle Wood explains, "exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands." Endorphins are natural cannabis-like brain chemicals that enhance your overall sense of well-being. Additionally, the time spent exercising will get your mind off your other worries. Even adding a ten minute walk to your routine could make a difference with how you are feeling. 

Talk to someone 

Not everyone is trained in dealing with infertility etiquette. People might not know what to say to you or they may put their foot in their mouth. While it may be tempting to shove the next person who says, "It will happen! Just wait your turn!", a better solution might be to talk to a professional. 

If you are uncomfortable with the one-on-one format, you might look into local support groups (someone at your clinic will be able to provide you with this information). You could also try online support groups for people coping with infertility.

Give yourself a break

If you are struggling to get pregnant, navigating social media can feel like crossing a minefield. When you are having trouble building the family you want, seeing other people's happy moments can feel like taking a bullet. Give yourself a break by unplugging for a while.

In the meantime, you can pamper yourself. Undergoing fertility treatments can be hard on your body. Treat yourself to a massage or maybe a facial. Just make sure you know it is something you will enjoy. 

The stress of trying, waiting, and failing can be hard for even the strongest person to bear. If you are coping with depression while undergoing fertility treatments, realize that you are not alone. Getting help is not a sign of weakness, it just means you are taking charge of your happiness. And that's something to celebrate. 

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