By Jan Douglas

If you are looking for ways to manage the stress that often comes with infertility, our guided, heartfelt journal can help. Recent studies have shown that stress does not cause infertility but experiencing infertility may cause stress. There are various things a person struggling with infertility can implement, such as:

• Awareness of your mental health – depression, feeling overwhelmed
• Staying in the present moment
• Talking to either a close friend or counselor
• Focus on your job – staying busy often helps distract the mind from persistent anxiety
• Self-care – healthy nutrition, exercise, adequate sleep, spending time with family/friends

The most important thing you can do is to Be Kind To Yourself. Sometimes, we are the hardest on ourselves. Treat yourself as you would treat someone close to you. Whether it is a life-threatening illness or infertility, we can ruminate on the “should haves” when going through a life crisis. We can’t change the past, nor can we control the future. Staying in the present may help relieve some of the stress and anxiety that often accompanies infertility. 

Studies Have Found Journaling Can Help both Emotionally and Physically

Our infertility journal is a thoughtful journal designed specifically for anyone struggling with infertility. The journal includes guided prompts of love and healing. These prompts cover every stage of infertility – recently found out about your infertility, currently in IVF treatments (in vitro treatments), adoption, surrogacy, or lastly, choosing to embrace a child-free life. 

While it is beneficial to talk to either a friend or counselor, there might be some things you wish to keep to yourself. You may not feel comfortable telling someone, or you don’t want to upset them. And even though people mean well, they often try to offer advice or opinions that can be upsetting. “Free writing” often helps a person work through the negative emotions of infertility, such as depression, anxiety, and shame. 

Our unique journal provides a safe space to acknowledge and process your thoughts. Writing can bring awareness to your emotions and help you identify your needs. Maybe you are jealous of a friend who found out she is pregnant. Or you are not feeling supported by loved ones. Writing these thoughts down for only you to see may help release the emotions. You may decide to share it with your partner or others to share your feelings. 

Our Infertility Journal Records Your Progress Over Time and Details Your Treatment

Regularly putting your feelings in writing can help you see how you are coping. Are your thoughts and behaviors staying positive? Are you becoming more resilient? There may be emotions that are getting out of control. How can you manage these better?

Our beautiful journal has emotional check-in pages and inspirational quotes to help a person struggling with infertility recognize and respond effectively to this heartache. 

Sometimes all you may want to do is vent. Venting can help reduce emotional stress. On other days you may have had an insight and need a place to record it. As you walk on this journey, you will have ups and downs, good days and bad days. Our infertility journal is arranged so you will be able to record all of these details. Someday you might want to look back and remember how you prevailed in a challenging life experience. 

The journal also includes informational pages on fertility treatment, acupuncture, inducing lactation, and more. A person’s memory is often affected when going through a stressful situation. You can write down any questions for your doctor or consultant and bring the journal to your appointments. And then record the answers. It has self-inputted appointment, cycle, and IVF tracking pages. 

Communication Tips When Talking About Your Infertility with Family and Friends

• You and your partner can decide how much you both want to share; there may be certain aspects you may want to keep private.
• Give them information, such as 1 in 8 couples or 7 million people experience infertility; it is a life crisis.
• Tell them in a private place in case you feel embarrassed or emotional; try to choose a time when no one will feel rushed.
• Sometimes it can help to rehearse what you are going to say.
• Explain to them how they can help you – check-ins, questions, being available to do something fun when you need a distraction, or waiting for you to connect with them.
• Inform them you will keep them apprised of your treatment, tests, etc.
• You may need a break from family events – that’s okay! Explain it is not about them.

Taking Care of Yourself When Experiencing Infertility

Marketing Choices has designed this all-inclusive infertility journal with love and compassion. It can be difficult not being able to handle the physical aspects of infertility. However, with our guided journal, you can take control of the stress that often accompanies infertility. It is important to remember that what you think and what you do affects your well-being. Thoughts and behavior may help your day-to-day living.

Our guided journal can help you discover who you are, with or without children. It can help your perspective toward parenthood and help you consider all your options. Putting down in words how you are feeling frequently relieves pent-up stress. Our journal can calm your fears, help build your self-worth, and help you gain a sense of control over your life. Our heart-lifting journal is on Amazon today!