In a way, the turn of the year couldn’t come at a worse time. Right in the middle of winter, the time when we all feel like we’d just like to stay in bed for a few weeks, we get bombarded with the pressure of new year’s resolutions, must-do detoxes, and the constant pressure of feeling like we need to completely reinvent ourselves to make the next year a success. But is this really the best time for change?
Have you heard about the study that talked about how giant Redwood trees were injected with a chemical similar to adrenaline to try and skip their hibernation time? These beautiful giant trees, that normally live for hundreds of years, all died within a year because they didn’t get a chance to rest. Us humans are no different - we need a season of winter, a time to hibernate, rest, and reflect to recharge our batteries for the warmer months ahead. Just as plants and animals slow down and conserve energy during this season, our bodies need a period of rest and rejuvenation.
My top 5 tips to nurture your bodies and minds in the winter season
Eat warming seasonal produce: Isn’t it mind boggling how nature manages to provide exactly what we need at the right time of year? Winter is the time for root vegetables – hearty, warming, and absolutely packed with antioxidants and fibre, these veggies can help to keep us grounded, fight inflammation, and support our immune system.
From a fertility point of view, root vegetables contain a number of vitamins and minerals that are crucial for our reproductive health. Orange coloured root vegetables for example are rich in beta carotene which is crucial for a healthy corpus luteum and with it, a healthy production of progesterone. Plus, the fibre in root veg can help to keep bowel movements regular which is key for our hormone health.
Think warming soups and stews containing things like carrot, parsnip, beets, swede, turnips and sweet potatoes to keep you warm and nourished on icy days.
Stay hydrated: The warm, dry indoor air, that comes hand in hand with the colder weather, can dehydrate us quickly, so it’s important to keep up your intake of liquids. Whilst water (be sure to drink filtered water rather than sipping straight from the tap) is always a great choice, herbal teas and broths, particularly bone broth, can be a lovely addition to keep you hydrated.
Prioritise sleep: Winter's shorter days and longer nights provide the perfect opportunity to prioritise rest and sleep. Restful sleep helps to support hormone health, blood sugar levels, mental wellbeing, inflammation, and many more, and is therefore fundamental for our overall health and wellbeing, including our fertility. To make sure that you get a restful night, try to establish a consistent sleep routine, create a restful sleeping environment, and practice relaxation techniques such a breathwork, journaling, yoga, or simply a nice relaxing bath, before going to bed.
Mindful movement: While summer is the season for being super active, winter should be more about mindful and restorative movement. Exercises such as yoga, tai chi, or short winter walks can help to stimulate blood flow (which is super important for our fertility), improve mood, support heart health, and help to release tension.
Stay warm: One of my favourite winter tips when it comes to nurturing your fertility comes from a lovely acupuncturist I used to see many years ago. In Chinese medicine, cold feet are linked to a cold uterus and that is something we definitely want to avoid when we are trying to conceive. We want the uterus to be warm and well nourished to create a fertile environment that is supportive of successful conception and a healthy pregnancy. So this winter, be sure to keep your feet nice and toasty!
Final thoughts
Every single one of nature’s beautiful seasons has a distinct purpose. Winter is the season to rest and rejuvenate so that you can recharge your batteries for the warmer months ahead. By embracing the winter months and aligning our habits with the rhythms of nature - nourishing our bodies with seasonal foods, staying hydrated, prioritizing rest, engaging in mindful movement, and staying warm - we can build up our energy for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. In that sense, winter isn't just a season but it's an invaluable phase in the continuous cycle of our health and wellbeing. So rather than being pressured into perfecting our lives with the turn of the year, let’s slow down and embrace the winter season as the season of rest.
If you are hoping to fall pregnant this year, get in touch at hello@sarahnash.co.uk and we can chat through what may be the best and most suitable approach for your individual fertility journey.
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