There are times in life when we really need the support of our friends and family. But does the quality of this support make a difference. Simple answer is yes-hugely so. When you are going through a stressful or difficult time in your life for whatever reason you need friends who will support you, listen to you and be there for you.

Are your friends drains or radiators ?

A friend of mine recently apologised for being a drain and not a radiator. At least she had incite !

The company of some friends makes you feel great, while others leave you feeling drained or even angry or sad. Of course we all have our off days, and no one can be a radiator of joy all the time but some friends are just plain exhausting.

What kind of friend are you ?

Characteristics of radiators;

• Their positive upbeat attitude pulls you up even when you are feeling down.
• they are good listeners
• they do not hog the conversation (conversation should be a two way thing)
• they are not totally self absorbed
• they like people
• they see the good in most situations
• they are up more than down
• you feel great after you have been with them
• you enjoy their company

Characteristics of drains:

• they have a negative attitude to lots of things
• you feel exhausted, angry or sad in their company
• they hog the conversation
• they are totally self absorbed
• they put other people down frequently (if they do that to others they probably do it about you)
• they do not really like people
• they see lots of negatives in a given situation

Try and make sure that you have plenty of radiators around you, and that you do your best to be a radiator to others.

Trying to conceive for some can be a very stressful time if things seem to take longer than you had hoped, and often it is difficult to talk to family or friends about the stresses that you are under. Where can you go for support and friendship then ?

A lot of women find the support and friendship they crave in the fertility forums. Here you can talk anonymously to others who are going through a similar situation to yourself and share in their highs and lows. Seeing others succeed can be very encouraging and also you can pick up lots of useful tips from others trying to conceive.

See the links at the side of this blog for links to the UK fertility support forums