The stress of infertility is a two way street. The emotional experience can’t help but create tension in one’s body. And tension in one’s body can’t help but intensify the worry that you are somehow contributing to the problem. You are not responsible for your infertility. But you can choose to be responsible to it in ways that go beyond whatever you already doing.
One way is to join a mind/body stress reduction group. This experience is aimed at providing you with a panoramic view of ways to handle stress by exposing you to coping skills that right now, when you really need them, may not be part of your repertoire. Because this takes place in a group setting, just feeling understood by others contributes to the amelioration of stress.
The format is based on increasing self-awareness and self-care. To view the protocol (outline/syllabus) for the classes, see below.
Stress reduction groups at NYU are ongoing; see the Calendar or contact Helen at 212.758.0125 for specific dates.
Week 1 – Entering the Mind/Body Connection for Stress Reduction
- The physiology of stress explained
- How it manifests
- Techniques to reverse stress physiology
- The Relaxation Response exercise
- Breathing, Mindfulness and Self-Hypnosis exercises
- Self-Rating scales to build awareness
Week 2 – Using the Mind to Trick the Brain for Enhanced Coping
- Brain Function – Understanding the triune brain
- Exercise which teaches that feelings are not facts
- Review of the huge array of coping mechanisms
- Self-Esteem self-rating scale
- The value of humor
Week 3 – Transforming Negative Thinking
- Summarize and teach Cognitive Restructuring
- Learn to convert Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs) into affirmations
Week 4 – Gaining Clarity by Building Awareness
- Understanding Emotions
- Journal writing exercise
- Understanding Communication Styles
- Look at Assertiveness, Spirituality and Meaning Making
- Distinguish between lapse and relapse
On Fertile Ground: Healing Infertility reinforces the lessons of these classes and can be purchased by clicking here. And my CD, Breathing in the Now supports the practice of the Relaxation Response. It is offered for free to anyone who takes all 4 classes!
These classes rotate and can be taken in any order. Each class is two hours and costs $75.00. They are insurance reimbursable.
We meet in the 6th Floor conference room at the NYU Fertility Center, 660 First Avenue @38th Street, NYC.
You do not need to be a patient at NYU to attend.