I think it’s safe to say that we’re in the full fledge of winter now, considering the storms that have swept the country! One of the downsides of living in states that are further north is the propensity towards seasonal depression. The hours of daylight are shorter, the weather is colder and though snow is pretty for a little while, the general feel of the season doesn’t have the brightness of spring and summer. The emotional effects of infertility can easily be enhanced by this, so it is important to take care of yourself to keep your spirits up.
Here are a few suggestions:
1. Stay hydrated - winter air is very dry, so it’s important to keep yourself hydrated within and out by using moisturizer, but most importantly, by drinking lots of water! As we’ve all heard so many times, approximately 8 glasses of day is the ideal.
2. Exercise - when it’s cold out (or when you’re feeling blue) it’s highly tempting to sit in your favorite comfy chair curled up with a blanket. But getting yourself moving for a minimum of 20 minutes a day can do wonders for lifting your mood! Don’t believe me? Countless studies prove that physical activity raises your endorphins, which puts you in a better mood. You don’t have to feel obligated to join a gym or run a marathon. Something as simple as taking a 20-30 minute daily walk is great, as long as you’re doing something to get yourself moving.
3. Light - because of the shorter days and staying inside more than we do in the summer, our bodies can easily start to miss the light. To remedy this, you could take a daily walk out in the sun (kill two birds with one stone!). Some people also find it helpful to get a special lamp for seasonal affect disorder.
4. Sleep - make sure you’re getting the recommended amount of sleep every night. Many medical professionals will also tell you that keeping yourself to the same schedule every night (that is, sleeping during the same hours) is the best way for your body to get restful sleep. Getting a good night’s sleep can keep your energy, and thus your mood, up throughout the day. Just make sure not to get too much sleep.
5. Enjoy yourself - take time to do things that you enjoy! This is a big factor in boosting your mood because it’s always more difficult to be happy when you’re stuck in work or your routine round the clock, never taking time out for recreation. This could be anything from setting up date nights with your significant other to inviting friends over or enjoying an event with friends to even scheduling a vacation if you’re able.
When you’ve struggled with infertility and you’re working so hard to get pregnant, sometimes you can forget to take care of your more daily needs. Make sure to follow some or all of these tips once a day or a few times a week to keep your body and mind at their optimum.
(If you are feeling emotional lows or signs of depression on a consistent basis, it is important that you consult a physician.)
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