Feeling Salty? Let’s Talk About That.

You know that feeling when everyone around you is getting pregnant, and you’re just over here…waiting for your lining to thicken or your bloodwork to clear or your progesterone to kick in?

That’s what I call feeling salty.

And if you’re going through IVF or trying to conceive with medical support, you’ve probably had your fair share of salty moments. Like when someone complains about being tired during their pregnancy and you’re just trying to make it through another cycle without falling apart. Or when a family member makes one more “relax and it’ll happen” comment. 🙃

Being salty is normal. It’s human. It means you care deeply. But sometimes, if we sit in that salt too long, it starts to sting.

So what can you do when you’re feeling salty?

Let’s try… salt therapy. Yes, for real.

I recently spent time at Caney Wellness in Holliston (not sponsored, just a fan!) and had the most incredibly calming experience in their salt room. It was warm, quiet, and I could literally taste the salt in the air as I took deep, slow breaths. I let my body soften into the chair, the soft glow of salt lamps around me, and for the first time that week, my brain actually turned off. For a whole 45 minutes. Miraculous.

What is Salt Therapy (aka Halotherapy)?

Honestly? I didn’t totally get it either at first. I just knew I needed a break—from the overthinking, the stress, the emotional heaviness that comes with trying to conceive.

Salt therapy (also called halotherapy) is basically sitting in a cozy room where medical-grade salt is dispersed into the air. You just breathe it in. That’s it. You don’t have to do anything, fix anything, or even talk to anyone.

When I went to Caney Wellness, I walked into the salt room and immediately felt like I could exhale. The lights were soft, there was a warm glow from the salt lamps, and as I started to breathe more deeply, I could actually taste the salt in the air. It was strangely comforting—like my whole body was saying, “Okay. You’re safe. We can stop bracing now.”

I’m not saying salt therapy magically fixes everything. But for 45 minutes, I wasn’t refreshing my patient portal. I wasn’t comparing my journey to anyone else’s. I was just there, with my breath, in my body. And that felt like a win.

Breathing helps slow down your nervous system. Salt therapy can be another tool to cope with reproductive trauma and loss

IVF Is a Lot. You Deserve a Breather.

Whether you’re dealing with daily injections, vaginal suppositories (shoutout to everyone dealing with that glamorous symptom of leaky discharge), or just the emotional rollercoaster of waiting for a call from your clinic, you are carrying a lot.

Let me just say:
You don’t need to be positive all the time. But you do deserve to find moments of peace.
Moments that are just yours.
Moments that let you breathe, taste the salt, and remember you’re more than just your fertility status.

So next time you’re feeling salty?
Lean in.
Name it.
Then maybe find a local salt room, light a salt lamp, or even just take a long shower and imagine the salt rinsing some of that tension away.

You’re not alone. You’re doing your best. And you are allowed to take a salty pause—without judgment.

Need support from someone who gets it?
I offer therapy for infertility in Providence, Seattle, and Boston (virtually). Whether you’re starting IVF, recovering from a failed transfer, or just wondering “why can’t I get pregnant?”—I’m here to help you feel less alone and more grounded.

Book a free phone consultation to learn more.

Read More:

Feeling Stranded: A Personal Reflection on the IVF Journey

Invited to a baby shower when you have infertility? Here’s how each zodiac sign RSVPs

How to Handle Unsolicited Family Questions About Family Building