The holidays are certainly a joyous time, but for many couples trying to conceive, the stress that may come with this time of year can have an effect on hormones. By being mindful of your activities and plans during the season, you can combat stress to make the holidays an enjoyable time, full of memories with loved ones. Dr. Dan Gehlbach and his team recommends these tips to help fight holiday stress.

Lower your expectations
For many women especially, the holidays come with expectations to have a “perfect” Thanksgiving or Christmas. This year, instead of spending excessive time worrying that the cookies aren’t decorated or there aren’t enough gifts for everyone, cut yourself some slack. Give yourself permission to be “good enough.” No one is going to notice lopsided biscuits or that you’re 5 minutes late to the Christmas musical.

Get enough sleep
Getting enough sleep can help maintain a healthy immune system and help you feel more refreshed, thus leading to less anxiety and stress. For most, 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night is the right amount to stay healthy and sharp. If you are only getting 4-6 hours per night, get to bed 15 minutes earlier each night until you are reaching your target amount.

Watch your diet
Many turn to food to combat stress. However, that can have a negative effect on fertility. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, weight gain can influence fertility in both men and women, so it is important to eat treats in moderation and stop when you are full. Use a free food tracking app like MyFitnessPal to be cognizant of how many calories you are consuming.

Exercise when you can
Another way to fight weight gain that also helps decrease stress is regular exercise. Do a fun exercise DVD with your family or research gyms in the area you are traveling to for the holidays. Schedule your workouts and use it as a time to decompress and focus on yourself.

No matter what works best for you to fight stress during the holidays, schedule it in advance when possible. Having a plan can help you stick to your goal of having a stress-free holiday!

Welcoming a baby into your home is cause for celebration year-round. Contact our caring staff at the Midwest Reproductive Center by calling (913) 780-4300 to learn how we can help.