The most exciting moments of our lives are often, the most exciting moments of our lives are also the most stressful. Your surrogacy journey can be a source of excitement and joy, but it can also be a source of stress, worry, and anxiety. This is especially true when you’re experiencing uncertainty during your journey, such as during the dreaded two-week wait.
It’s important for you to prioritize your mental health as you continue on your surrogacy journey, whether you are a gestational surrogate or an intended parent. Being aware of the stressors in your life and setting time aside to de-stress are important steps to ensure that your surrogacy journey is as joyful and meaningful as you expect it to be.
Here are some things you can do to make sure your mental health stays at the top of your priority list.
Get your steps in
You’d be surprised to know how much of a positive impact simply taking a short walk can have. Even a short five-minute walk around the block can do wonders for your mental health. You can also invite friends, your spouse, and other family members, or you can walk solo. Walking helps clear your head and release endorphins in your mind to improve your mood. It also gets your cardiovascular system working, helping you stay active. Plus, you can get your daily dose of vitamin D, which may also help boost your mood and keep your energy levels high.
Try exercising
In addition to walking, there are many other physical activities you can engage in to help keep your mental health in check. Exercising just a few days a week can improve your mood, keep you healthy, improve your sleep, and help you stay active. Just be sure you’re not over-exerting yourself, which can be dangerous.
Here are some great ways to introduce exercise as a way to de-stress:
- Sign up for a group fitness class
- Go swimming (or just float in the water!)
- Try a yoga class
- Connect with a friend and walk every day (or jog if you’re up for it!)
- Fit in a 5-10 minute YouTube workout direct from your living room
Talk it out
Seeing a therapist is not only for individuals who feel exceptionally sad or stressed. Therapy is great for any individual, especially for those who are going through potentially stressful experiences like surrogacy. In fact, many trained professionals specialize specifically in infertility and surrogacy. Counselors and therapists can offer supportive and safe spaces where you can express your feelings and talk about your concerns. They can also help teach you coping strategies to handle any challenges you face in your surrogacy journey more easily.
Lean on your support system
If you’re not keen on talking to a counselor or therapist, you can also depend on your support system to help manage your mental health. Talk to and be open with your friends and family about your concerns and any stress you feel. They are there to help you work through these difficult emotions and act as a shoulder to lean on so that you don’t feel so alone in your journey.
Practice self-care every day
The age-old idiom, “You can’t pour from an empty cup,” still reigns true to this day. A big part of prioritizing your mental health is making sure you take time to engage in activities you enjoy and focus on your well-being. Self-care looks different for every person, so don’t feel that you have to do something specific in order to believe you’re doing it “right.” Self-care to one person might look like lighting a candle and taking a quiet, relaxing bath, while, to another person, self-care might look like going to the gym and lifting weights. Whatever self-care means to you, make sure you’re setting time aside to participate.
Surrogacy can be a difficult journey for many. There are many ways surrogacy can impact your mental health. It’s completely normal to feel stressed during your surrogacy journey, so it’s important that you are proactive in prioritizing your mental health. You deserve to have the most enjoyable, memorable surrogacy experience.
Take Proactive Steps for a Positive Experience
Prioritizing your mental health on your surrogacy journey is crucial to ensure a positive and enjoyable experience. Whether you are a gestational surrogate or an intended parent, taking the time to de-stress, exercise, talk to a therapist, lean on your support system, and practice self-care every day can make a world of difference. Remember that it’s normal to feel stressed during this journey, but it’s essential to be proactive about managing your mental health.
At Fairfax Surrogacy, we understand the importance of prioritizing mental health on this journey, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you easily navigate your surrogacy journey.
