We may have only opened the first few doors of our advent calendars but holiday party season is already in full swing. Whilst this can be the most wonderful time of the year, if you are trying to conceive, it can be hard. Whilst other people are enjoying mulled wine and Christmas cheer, you may feel like you’re missing out – and might even be feeling a little down, especially if you are experiencing subfertility or loss.
Balancing a fertility journey and festive festivities isn’t always easy, but it can be done! Here are our top tips on navigating the holiday season, happily and healthily, when trying to conceive.
Make the most of mocktails if you’re trying to conceive
If you are trying to conceive, you may be trying to reduce your alcohol consumption, and in some cases, you may have cut out the booze completely. Alcohol can not only inhibit fertility but if you’re actively trying for a baby you’ll want to make sure that you aren’t drinking if and when you fall pregnant – alcohol in your bloodstream can be extremely harmful to a newly conceived baby. During Christmas party season, the temptation to slack on the sober life will be at every corner – from office parties to Christmas markets.
But never fear, Mocktails are your biggest ally during December – allowing you to get in the festive spirit without actually drinking any spirits! We love this alcohol free Candy Cane Martini recipe and you can even make mock Mulled Wine – which smells just as delicious as the real thing.
Open up to your circle of trust
If you’re trying for a baby, you may be keeping the process private, between you and your partner. The holiday season is known for inducing, probing – and sometimes painful – questions from well-meaning family members, not to mention unwanted attention from employers who notice you swerving the rum punch at the Christmas party. You might find you need some extra support to navigate the festive season, so you may consider letting a few trusted allies in on your plans – opening up your circle of trust. Not only will they be able to lend an ear if you need to talk about your feelings –
Christmas can be emotionally triggering if your fertility journey isn’t going to plan – but it also means they will be more understanding if you need to cancel engagements or leave the party early. Opening up can be hard to do, but you’ll find that friends and family will be more supportive if they understand your situation.
Healthy festive choices
It may come as a surprise, but pigs in blankets and mince pies aren’t actually part of a fertility diet plan! Maintaining a healthy BMI and a vitamin-rich diet is an important part of preconception care, as is avoiding trans fats and simple carbohydrates. This is never harder than during Christmas party season!
However, there are lots of ways to make healthy eating feel festive – we love this recipe for high protein – Snowmen Energy Balls, which are full of nuts, making them perfect for boosting fertility in both men and women. Whilst good nutrition is key, you shouldn’t deny yourself all treats as December 25th approaches – if you can’t enjoy a Terry’s chocolate orange at Christmas time, when can you? Life, and a fertility journey, is all about balance, so try to maintain your healthy habits, but don’t yourself a hard time if you want to enjoy something off the naughty list.
Nurture your relationship
You and your partner should make sure you get the opportunity to enjoy some romantic time together over the holidays – which is easier said than done during a busy Christmas party season. Between work commitments and family events, opportunities for alone time can be few and far between – which is never helpful when you’re trying to have sex 2-3 times a week!
You don’t want to become ships in the night who are making love on a schedule. Try to put aside a few evenings for Christmas date nights, just the two of you. Whether it’s snuggling up and watching a Christmas movie, or having a kiss under the mistletoe, romance doesn’t need to be about glamorous parties or expensive gifts, it’s just about quality time together as a couple.
Create new traditions
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that the holidays are centred around partying. That can make you feel like you’re missing out, if you are trying to conceive and making healthier choices. But this could be a great opportunity to make some new traditions with your family and partner. Instead of a Christmas Eve spent in the pub, why not take a festive family walk? If you’re catching up with friends, you could suggest something fun and creative like a wreath making class – they can enjoy a glass of prosecco as you’re crafting, but you won’t feel left out if you don’t want to drink. Christmas is all about spending quality time with loved ones, and creating new, healthy traditions together will not only make you feel included if you’re TTC, but will bring warm, fuzzy feelings for many years to come.
Don’t sacrifice self-care
It’s not only your relationship with your partner that needs nurturing over the festive period. During your fertility journey, your self-care routine is a key part of supporting your emotional health. Yoga, meditation and gratitude journaling are all wonderful ways of practising self-care, but this routine can be thrown out of balance during the hectic holiday season. Between parties, work deadlines and Christmas shopping, finding the time for an hour-long yoga session may be difficult.
But there are ways of bringing self-care into your everyday life, even when you are busy. Try to start every day with a short 10-minute meditation, and take a moment each evening to write a short list of things you are grateful for. It’s also important to remember that saying ‘no’ isn’t selfish – it’s actually an important part of self-care. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to cancel engagements and let friends and family know that you need some alone time to breathe and reboot.
