April 12, 2017

Alleviating the Anxiety of Adoption

The adoption process is not without its emotional ups and downs. Where it’s making the decision to adopt, preparing for a home study, getting matched with a birth mother, waiting for the baby to be born, or signing the final papers…there are so many unknowns up in the air. And no matter how beautiful and perfect the final product is, it doesn’t mean there won’t be some anxiety along the way. It’s okay. It’s entirely normal. And you’re not alone.

What we want to do is provide a few strategies to help alleviate the anxiety, and to remind you that you are still a person with needs that deserve to be met. Self-care is going to be a huge part of your adoption process—one you should prioritize.

So how do you find relief during adoption’s more stressful moments?

Take comfort in community. Community is everything, and it is vital to happiness, security, peace, and purpose. There may be times where you feel lonely or need a distraction, and that’s when your support system is key. When you’re feeling that constricting, closed-in feeling stress induces, reach out to your loved ones and immerse yourself in people with whom you connect. No one expects you to do this alone.

Do something everyday that feeds YOU. During the adoption process you will be thinking about a million other people. Your birth mother, your new child, the adoption agency, all the people who want to know how your process is going and how you’re doing. Where are you in that equation? When we’re stressed and busy, the person whose needs we most neglect are our own. That’s no way to live. Get some exercise, eat something delicious, indulge in a favorite activity. Everyday choose something that serves you, relaxes and resets your mind and body, and nourishes and takes care of your individual needs.

Engage in stress-relieving activities. Get a massage. Put yourself in situations where you laugh. Eat whole foods. Take a walk in the sunshine. Breathe deeply. Move your body. Meditate. Make a weekly date with a friend. Spice up date night with your spouse. Acknowledge your stress, and then nurture it by purposely engaging in things that promote rest and relaxation.

Taking care of yourself is an essential key to successful parenthood, and that starts today. You deserve it.