When struggling to get pregnant or navigating an IVF cycle, thankful may not be the focus of your feelings at the moment. That’s understandable, but what if we shifted how we looked at the practice of gratitude and found ways to make it realistic and beneficial to our fertility journey.
Why Gratitude Matters During IVF
Managing stress and anxiety
IVF is hard. There is no denying the complexities and demands of treatment will cause anxiety and stress. Carving out time to focus on what is working in our lives can actively decrease that stress and allow some moments of calm.
Enhances physical health
A gratitude practice has physical benefits as well. The exercise will support more restful sleep, lower blood pressure, and decreased inflammation. All of which are important to a successful IVF cycle and fertility health.
Emotional resilience
Fertility treatments can make you feel like you are on an emotional rollercoaster. You can try to stay positive and hopeful, but anticipate that there will be disappointment. Spending time focused on what is good can inspire optimism and self-confidence. It will feel easier to bounce back from moments of concern when you know what is working.
How to incorporate a gratitude practice:
Journal
Keeping a journal to record your thoughts and feelings can be highly effective for managing the mental and emotional complexities of your IVF journey. When you include a list of gratitude it can redirect your mind from what you are finding troubling to what you are finding positive and joyful. Writing in a journal before sleep has been shown to promote better rest and uninterrupted sleep.
Related Read: Benefits of Journaling While Navigating IVF
Express gratitude
When we express our gratitude to others it not only benefits our own wellness but also the other party. A thank-you note, or even a passing comment of your appreciation can leave a lasting positive feeling and improve relationships.
Celebrate self-gratitude
Be certain to include yourself in all that you are grateful for. Acknowledge and appreciate how you are managing this difficult experience and the strength you are exhibiting. Women struggling to get pregnant are often quick to self-blame. Focus your thoughts on all you are doing to make your family dreams come true.
Related Read:Finding Community On Your IVF Journey
Why is this important for IVF
When navigating IVF including the medications, complicated calendar, and overall stress of the treatments we can find ourselves in a sympathetic nervous system response (commonly referred to as Fight, Flight, or Freeze response. This activates our nervous system in a way that increases heart rate, causes shortness of breath, sweating and problems with digestion. Our cortisol (the stress hormone) increases and disrupts our hormonal balance.
A consistent gratitude practice can help to regulate the nervous system back to a parasympathetic nervous system (Rest and Digest) and promote hormonal balance and overall wellness. All important to supporting a successful IVF cycle. Additionally, practicing gratitude contributes to confidence so you can make important decisions with clarity and move forward with your treatment in a place of hope and positivity.
5 Journal Prompts For Practicing Gratitude
- I felt strong today when I…
- An example of when I felt supported recently is…
- I showed kindness to myself today by…
- Who is someone you would like to thank today and why?
- I smiled today when…
Related Read: 7 Ways A Fertility Coach Can Help You Get Pregnant
Remember: gratitude is a practice, not perfection. Take it one moment at a time, and watch how it transforms your experience. You have the power to choose your focus and your mindset to what will serve you and move you forward toward pregnancy success.
My private coaching sessions are a great opportunity to identify what mindset tools will be the most effective for you. Set up your FREE consult call today.
