Tips for Optimizing Your Fertility During the Winter

Fertility fluctuates throughout your life. At times, you may be totally in tune with your fertility health to the point where it isn’t something you think about. Other times, you could be left wondering where you stand with your biology. During the winter months, it can be difficult to prioritize your fertility due to the celebrations and gatherings taking place during the holiday season. This can be strenuous, both physically and mentally--and it may even affect your fertility. However, there are some steps you can take to retain your fertility health this winter.

Keep yourself warm

Time to get cozy! Protect yourself from harsh winter drafts, and keep your legs, hands, and feet as warm as you can. This means adding layers, wearing gloves and wool socks – anything to keep your blood flow moving. The less your body has to work to keep itself warm, the less energy and nutrients it will use to do so. Your fertility health will thank you for the added effort.

Try to maintain a healthy diet

Women are born with all the eggs they will ever have, and that number begins to decline every year. At birth, they have an egg count of between 1 and 2 million--by puberty, their count will drop to around 300,000. Of those remaining eggs, only 0.001% (around 300) will be ovulated during reproductive years.

Most women are at risk of fertility challenges due to being over or underweight, and the best way to combat this is by being mindful of what we eat. During the winter months, be sure to eat plenty of protein, as this will give you energy and keep you warm. Hearty foods like stews that are beef based are a great option; if you’re vegetarian, be sure to incorporate a healthy source of protein such as an egg. Other foods like apples and root vegetables are also recommended.

Sleep as much as you can

When you sleep, your body repairs and resets itself. Sleep is your best friend at a time like this--the sun is setting earlier, and activities are mostly done indoors, giving us plenty of time to enjoy the restorative properties of rest and relaxation. Winter is the time to slow down, so coddle yourself.

Avoid alcohol

As a general rule of thumb, if you are trying to start a family or have concerns about your fertility, it helps to abstain from drinking heavily. The best bet is to not consume alcohol at all, but cutting down will help immensely. Alcohol depletes the nutrients in your body, leaves you dehydrated, and compromises your immune system. While the occasional holiday celebration drink is okay, be sure you drink plenty of water.

De-stress yourself

Being mindful is taking self-care to the next level. Practicing mindfulness means being deeply aware of your senses and feelings without judging or problem-solving. Many people find meditation to be a helpful source of stress relief, and there are plenty of meditation and mindfulness apps you can access from your phone. Find what works with your lifestyle and interests to help you relax. Some examples can include:

• Yoga or stretching
• Creative projects like painting, clay, drawing, or knitting
• Reading
• Journaling
• Taking yourself out on a date--coffee, the movies, your favorite craft store

If you have questions about your fertility or are looking for ways to better preserve your health all year round, our experts are here for you. Give us a call today.