How to Cope With Stress During COVID-19
For many of us, the outbreak of COVID-19 brings with it a new level of fear and anxiety, and that is especially true for pregnant women and surrogate mothers. How can I protect my surrogate baby from contracting the virus? What should I do if I have the virus? How will this impact my ability to have a healthy pregnancy and delivery?
These are very real and difficult questions that pregnant women are facing. If you are pondering these questions, we want to take this opportunity to remind you of healthy coping methods to help manage your stress and anxiety amid such an uncertain time. Continue reading below to learn more about ways to stay healthy during COVID-19, and please contact us at Road to Baby Surrogacy and Egg Donation Agency if you have questions or concerns about your surrogacy process.
Take a Step Away From the News
Staying connected with updates on the virus and new studies is certainly important in ensuring the safety of you and your community. However, tuning into every new story, report, and case of COVID-19 can be incredibly draining to your emotional and mental health. Consistently surrounding yourself with negative news stories is only going to worsen your morale, causing more fear, stress, and anxiety throughout the entire situation.
Make sure you take breaks from reading and watching the news to avoid a constant barrage of negativity. When you do seek new information and updates on COVID-19, make sure you do so through sources like the Center for Disease Control and World Health Organization, rather than various news outlets.
Continue a Healthy Lifestyle
With quarantines and stay-at-home orders in place throughout much of the United States, it becomes easy to fall into unhealthy routines while you’re at home. Whether it be fading away from your normal exercise schedule, falling into unhealthy eating habits, or swaying from your normal sleeping routine, these can have negative effects on your stress levels and mental health.
Not only can this negatively impact you during surrogacy, it can also affect your surrogate child if the unhealthy habits continue. Use your extra time spent at home to prepare healthy meals and practice light to moderate physical activity that is beneficial during your pregnancy.
Stay Connected
For those who have ever battled depression or anxiety, you understand that self-isolation often seems like the easiest way to cope. Unfortunately, it has never been easier to fall into that false belief than right now as we are forced to stay inside and avoid contact with our loved ones. In turn, this can have devastating impacts on mental health and your ability to cope with the fears that COVID-19 has brought.
Please, please, please — do not use quarantine or social distancing as an excuse to fall out of touch with those closest to you. We have the technology to stay connected to our community every single day, and it is crucial to do just that during such uncertain times. This is especially true for women going through surrogacy.
If you felt the kick of your surrogate baby for the first time, pick up the phone and share that joy with the intended parents. If you have concerns or are feeling anxious about being pregnant during such uncertain times, tell someone about them. Sharing your struggles and triumphs are equally important, so make sure you stay connected to your community now as much as ever. Remember, your support system at Road to Baby is always here to delight in your success and help through your struggles.
Relax and Unwind
One of the best ways to alleviate stresses and fears is to participate in activities that bring you joy. These joys are sure to be different for everyone, but make sure you take the time to unwind. Relax outside with a new book, watch your favorite new T.V. show, try a new recipe, meditate in silence, talk with your spouse — whatever causes you to relax and unwind in a healthy manner, do it!
Everyone, on some level, is managing stressful and anxious thoughts as COVID-19 continues to impact our society. No matter how difficult it may seem to do, it is possible, and we’re here to help you through every step of the way.
Whether you are intended parents, a surrogate mother, or an egg donor, we’re here to help answer questions you may have! Reach out to Road to Baby Surrogacy and Egg Donation Agency today!