Some people take for granted how easy it is to get pregnant. Those having problems conceiving may look around and see women seemingly getting pregnant with ease. So, when infertility strikes close to home, it can be very depressing and stressful for everyone involved. Those afflicted may feel inadequate and worry that they are letting others down.

If you are struggling with infertility, here are some suggestions to help you cope with this difficult time in your life.

1. Educate yourself

If you have difficulty conceiving, start researching possible causes. Visit your local library and check out books on infertility. You can also go online for information, but be careful that you are getting information from reliable sources. What could be causing your infertility? Do you have any other symptoms that may indicate an underlying issue? These are good questions to ask.

2. Find a well-trained doctor

Ask someone you know who has experienced similar problems for the name of a good doctor, or ask your general practitioner for references. Find a doctor that will help investigate the cause of infertility and help treat it. A good doctor will also have suggestions for alternative ways to have a baby (invitro fertilization, sperm donation, embryo donation, etc.).

3. Eat healthy

 Start nourishing your body. Eat a healthy diet and try to eat as naturally as possible. Modern diets contain a lot of chemicals and additives that can disrupt the endocrine system, which can result in hormonal imbalances. Eat a large amount of fresh vegetables and fruits and try to stay away from packaged foods with preservatives.

4. Exercise

: Exercising your body can help it use insulin and other hormones more effectively, not to mention that exercise can also lower stress levels and help with depression. Be careful not to over exercise, however, because depriving your body of calories can be detrimental to your health and can work against the conception process. Moderate exercise and a healthy diet are the best options.

5. Find support

You will need encouraging people in your life. Confide in those around you whom you trust and can ask for encouragement. Stay away from people who bring you down or make you feel worse about your situation. You can also find support groups in your community, or in online forums.

6. Reduce stress

Stress can be an undetectable cause of infertility. If you have a high-stress job or live in a stressful environment, you may want to consider a change. You can also find ways to deal with stress in a more productive manner, such as starting meditation or yoga practices.

7. Be open to ideas

At some point, you may feel like there is no hope, having tried many things only to find that nothing is working. This is the time to start looking at alternatives, such as adoption. Start researching what is involved in alternative options and be prepared.

Stay positive during this journey. Sometimes, things have a way of working out. The important thing is what you learn along the way. You will cherish your baby that much more for the struggles you have endured to have him or her.

The post How to cope with infertility appeared first on FamilyToday.

Get into Position

Get comfortable and show the person that is talking that you are willing to take the time to listen to what they have to say. Sit down in a chair or if you must stand, lean against a wall and relax.

Make Eye Contact

Eye contact is very important because it shows the person who is talking that you are engaged. This keeps you focused and reduces distractions.

Acknowledge

Simple gestures like a nod of the head or quick word acknowledge what you're hearing. This confirms to the person speaking that you are still actively listening.

Ask Questions

Ask questions as a follow up to what the person was saying. Be careful not interrupt them though. Asking questions will show that you are interested in what they are saying.

Care

Let the speaker know that you care about what they are saying and use a lot of "I"� phrases. For example, you can say "I understand how you feel"� or "I bet that made you angry."

Never interrupt

Do not interrupt the person. If you have something to say, wait for a pause in the conversation. Also, don't focus on what you want to say next because that distracts from listening to the person.

Refine these listening skills and people will be happy to have you as their friend, spouse or colleague. So, get out there and start practicing. It is a win-win for everyone.

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A strong sense of self can determine how we will interact with others, and what choices we make in the span of a day. Here are a few simple suggestions on how you can boost your self-esteem.

1. Focus on good traits

Look in the mirror in the morning and find five things that you like about your appearance. Ignore the ugly stuff and really look to see what is appealing about you and what makes you unique. Be proud of those things.

2. Dress with confidence

Our clothes say a lot about who we are and can dictate how people form first impressions of us. Dress in colors and styles that make you feel comfortable and confident. Look around at the people around you who appear to have high self-confidence, and look at what they are wearing.

3. Eat a healthy diet

Food does more than just fill you up, it delivers vital nutrients to all parts of your body. By eating a balanced diet, you are giving your body the opportunity to have beautiful skin, silky hair and everything else that a person wants.

4. Exercise

 Of course we have all heard this a million times, but we need to be honest with ourselves: Exercise is very important for our physical health as well as our mental health. Exercising naturally releases endorphins in our brains which makes us feel better about ourselves and life, in general.

5. Think positively about your life

Look around you and find the things that you are grateful for and focus on those things. Stop dwelling on the negative things in your life and learn to be happy.

6. Smile

 Smiling has been shown to increase a person's happiness. This simple act of smiling can help you feel more confident and improve how others interact with you.

7. Find ways to change

Identify the things you don't like about yourself and write them down. This may seem counterintuitive, but by identifying those things you don't like, you can start to change them. You are in control of your own life and have the power to change it.

8. Go outside of your comfort zone

People get stuck in ruts; with going to work or school and doing the same routine every day. Mix it up a little and do things that you might normally not do.

9. Join a group in the community

Find a group to join, whether it is a book club, aerobics class or a mommy group. Start meeting new people who can recognize the great things about you and who can build you up.

10. Get plenty of sleep, but not too much

Make sure you are getting an adequate amount of sleep every night. Sleep resets our bodies, minds and souls. You will wake up feeling more refreshed and energetic.

A healthy self-esteem can change our outlook on a number of things. You owe it to yourself to invest time in developing a happy perspective on life and a strong self-esteem to support it. 

The post 10 ways to boost self-esteem appeared first on FamilyToday.