what helps you relax while TTC?

jb2rn

I have seen a lot of posts recently about people feeling stressed and overwhelmed about this process.

I'll admit, I am one of them. We are ONLY on month two and thinking about TTC consumes a fair amount of my day (when I am not at work).

I recently started going to Yoga again, which helps a lot. I am considering meditation and/or acupuncture. I LOVE getting massages but it's a bit cost prohibitive to do too often.

What works for you? Have you aquired a new hobby or practice that has helped?

Sometimes I find knowing too much, being on this site, etc, can contribute to my anxiety, but at the same time, NOT knowing is worse.

amandaloren

Wine lol I love me some wine:)

busybeegirl1976

I just started acupuncture for depression, fertility and general stress relief and it's helped a lot (not sure about the fertility aspect yet).

It also helps that Fall TV has started. It gives me a good excuse to zone out and forget about things for a while.

Hang in there!

karaknr

This:

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference."

And I agree with the PP's Fall TV and wine!!! I also love to scrapbook when I get time and going on evening walks with DH and furbaby every night. We can talk about whatever and I get to de-stress about TTC and talk about other things in general. I like the walks because we really have to focus on each other.

 

skits_1

I could have written this post. It feels now like TTC is consuming my life and I am deciding to take a step back next month and just relax. I also love yoga, going for a run, and try not to bump on weekends. It gets overwhelming...I also really like crafty projects - painting rooms in the house, revamping furniture which is cost effective and fun! I need to keep busy all the time. So, my suggestions aren't anything new, but you should know you are not alone.

alison2379

Wine, although I realize the inherent contradiction that presents. Since I cut back, I really savor the glass or two I allow myself!

I feel like a good friend who is TTC as well would be helpful. I have one friend who is *almost* ready but they're not quite there yet. While I know that can get awkward if one of you gets a BFP before the other, it is nice to have someone to chat with in person about the craziness.

I'm trying not to feel guilty about the crazy feelings I have. It's hard though. DH might have to work late tonight, and we really should have sex based on my chart, and it was upsetting, (I'm not crazy enough to have actually said something) and then I felt bad for feeling that way, which then made me anxious about how we're probably not going to have sex tonight. Rinse, lather, repeat.

Mrs. Stew

Fall TV, yoga, cooking and reading.

kerivp

I often feel that way too.  Now that we are on cycle 6, the 'half-year' mark scares the crap out of me. 

I like wine too.   Having a glass and vegging out in front of these new Fall TV shows after my son goes to bed makes me very happy. 

Also, now that the weather is cooling off, I like to get outside.  Shopping, playground, walks.  I'm a SAHM, so I have to do things to get my mind off it.  Otherwise, I drive myself nuts thinking about TTC.

GL to you! 

Mrs. Stew

alison2379:

Wine, although I realize the inherent contradiction that presents. Since I cut back, I really savor the glass or two I allow myself!

I feel like a good friend who is TTC as well would be helpful. I have one friend who is *almost* ready but they're not quite there yet. While I know that can get awkward if one of you gets a BFP before the other, it is nice to have someone to chat with in person about the craziness.

I'm trying not to feel guilty about the crazy feelings I have. It's hard though. DH might have to work late tonight, and we really should have sex based on my chart, and it was upsetting, (I'm not crazy enough to have actually said something) and then I felt bad for feeling that way, which then made me anxious about how we're probably not going to have sex tonight. Rinse, lather, repeat.

That would be nice.  All my friends are either parents already, or nowhere near ready.

kissyfitt

I love nothing more than sitting out on my deck with a book and some coffee.  The minute I sit down with my comfy cushion and open my book it's like everything else melts away.  I can sit there all day.  ...I don't know what I am going to do when it's too cold to read outside.  I might have to make myself some kind of quiet indoor nook.

Dance is another fantastic stress reliever for me.  I put on my ballet slippers, some Tchaikovsky and dance.

jb2rn

thanks for sharing your experiences. It's nice to not feel alone.

I have two pregnant friends right now, one that got pregnant the first month, grrr. So no buddy, so to speak.

My close friends are 2,000 miles away (hubby in the military).

Thank you for posting the serenity prayer. I think I need to print it and read it daily

Noreen and Chris

I make a lot of plans and try to set a lot of goals! This past weekend I hosted brunch for my friends so that took up 1 day for brunch and another day for cleaning and cooking. And then I try to set goals like running a half marathon, cleaning out closets, start Christmas shopping, etc. So my time at home is now filled up but when I am at work, I can't stop thinking about TTC!! It's bad b/c then I end up on the bump when I should not be!

karaknr

jb2rn:

thanks for sharing your experiences. It's nice to not feel alone.

I have two pregnant friends right now, one that got pregnant the first month, grrr. So no buddy, so to speak.

My close friends are 2,000 miles away (hubby in the military).

Thank you for posting the serenity prayer. I think I need to print it and read it daily

No prob girl. I have to look at it everyday. It seems to take the weight off.

EarthMommi1

I always think about it.. and I too am in month #2 TTC... *sigh* Anyways I do try to avoid it by doing other things such as cooking, cleaning, And like the poster Noreen&Chris- I cleaned out my closet today too...

I try to keep busy around the house and stay caught up on the day to day tihngs. On the weekends, I try to visit my family, or make plans with DH to do something other than thinking about TTC.

I like the massage idea though. That would be great, Have you looked into a massage school? Sometimes the rates are alot less- granted you get a student doing it, but hey it may be worth a try?

kelann2010

busybeegirl1976:

I just started acupuncture for depression, fertility and general stress relief and it's helped a lot (not sure about the fertility aspect yet).

It also helps that Fall TV has started. It gives me a good excuse to zone out and forget about things for a while.

Hang in there!

 

I was thinking about looking into acupuncture soon.. do you enjoy it? Did you meet with your dr. first and they recommended to go and see an acupuncturist? thanks for the input!

kelann2010

busybeegirl1976:

I just started acupuncture for depression, fertility and general stress relief and it's helped a lot (not sure about the fertility aspect yet).

It also helps that Fall TV has started. It gives me a good excuse to zone out and forget about things for a while.

Hang in there!

 

I was thinking about looking into acupuncture soon.. do you enjoy it? Did you meet with your dr. first and they recommended to go and see an acupuncturist? thanks for the input!

busybeegirl1976

kelann2010:

busybeegirl1976:

I just started acupuncture for depression, fertility and general stress relief and it's helped a lot (not sure about the fertility aspect yet).

It also helps that Fall TV has started. It gives me a good excuse to zone out and forget about things for a while.

Hang in there!

 

I was thinking about looking into acupuncture soon.. do you enjoy it? Did you meet with your dr. first and they recommended to go and see an acupuncturist? thanks for the input!

I love it! It's very relaxing.

I didn't ask my doctor about it; I just made an appointment. We had an initial consultation (for which I just had to pay a $20 copay) and we started treatment after that. I'll go for a total of 12 sessions and then I'll only have to come back if I start feeling like I need a "recharge".

I'm doing a combination of needles and micro pulse. It doesn't hurt AT ALL. I have noticed that my moods are better (after 6 sessions) and that I just feel better in general. I told her that we were TTC so she started working on the fertility points too a couple of sessions ago.

HTH!

kelann2010

busybeegirl1976:

kelann2010:

busybeegirl1976:

I just started acupuncture for depression, fertility and general stress relief and it's helped a lot (not sure about the fertility aspect yet).

It also helps that Fall TV has started. It gives me a good excuse to zone out and forget about things for a while.

Hang in there!

 

I was thinking about looking into acupuncture soon.. do you enjoy it? Did you meet with your dr. first and they recommended to go and see an acupuncturist? thanks for the input!

I love it! It's very relaxing.

I didn't ask my doctor about it; I just made an appointment. We had an initial consultation (for which I just had to pay a $20 copay) and we started treatment after that. I'll go for a total of 12 sessions and then I'll only have to come back if I start feeling like I need a "recharge".

I'm doing a combination of needles and micro pulse. It doesn't hurt AT ALL. I have noticed that my moods are better (after 6 sessions) and that I just feel better in general. I told her that we were TTC so she started working on the fertility points too a couple of sessions ago.

HTH!

 

thanks so much! I started looking into it a few weeks ago and may look into it further if this cycle is a bust.. i need to find a way to de-stress and such and was told about acupuncture from my mom actually, just hadn't found anyone else who had done any treatments!

mdiblasi10

MH and I stay super busy, so that helps the time fly by. Work has been really busy, plus working on our house & getting quotes for more work we need done, fun events/trips on the weekends (we did a Disneyland scavenger hunt last weekend & this weekend I am surprising him with dinner and Dane Cook in L.A.), I have been trying lots of new recipes, watching our favorite shows... I have no time to obsess about TTC

Bubs101

My husband and I are best friends with another couple, and they have been trying for the same amount of time that we have. It helps to have another woman to talk to IRL who speaks the charting language and is a support for me. DH is awesome, but it's a different sort of support when it's coming from another woman doing the same things on a daily basis, ya know?

I also have a prayer posted by my computer-

You are all my good in times of peace,

My only support in days of trouble,

My one sufficiency when life shall end.

Help me to see how good Your will is in all,

And even when it crosses mine,

Teach me to be pleased with it.

I pray more specifically throughout my cycle, but when I get sad about it (CD1 and 2 especially) and I run out of words, it helps me bring my heart to God. I know that He loves me, and that He's not punishing me, so I just have to remind myself to trust that His plan is better than my own.