New Year, New Resolutions, New Phase

It´s that time of the year again, the Christmas holidays are over and instead of feeling recharged, most of us are feeling over indulged and lethargic. It is time for change, a fresh, healthy lifestyle.

New Year

A new year is just around the corner and this year things will be different. Those stubborn extra kilos you just can´t get rid of, the language course you have wanted to do for years, the musical instrument you want to learn, the mindfulness that is just around the corner… This year you won´t let life get in the way.

Except this year really will be a bit different, because this year you might be ready to start your family. Whether you are planning your family immediately, or at some stage over the next 12 months, some of the most popular new year´s resolutions are still relevant, even if from a slightly different point of view. Now is the time to get your body ready for pregnancy both physically and mentally. Make sure you know exactly when you ovulate and how your menstrual cycle works.

Spend more time with family:

Well this resolution just takes on a whole new meaning. You are going to create or add to a family. It might be just your own small family unit or a large extended family. Families and the relationships within them can be complicated, but if there is baby in your life then the importance of family becomes more apparent. Seeing your partner as a parent or your parents as grandparents can change how you view a relationship. Share the joy, have patience and respect and enjoy the love and support.

Battle of the Bulge:

Rather than losing weight this year you will be slowly and steadily gaining. For once an expanding girth is a joy to behold! Enjoy the freedom of not holding in your tummy but remember that the old wife´s tale of having to eat for two is just a myth. Sorry! Eat healthily in preparation for pregnancy and while pregnant keep in mind that what you are eating is also nourishing your baby.

Quit Smoking:

This is the perfect opportunity for yourself and your partner to finally quit. What better motivation can there be than protecting an unborn baby from cigarette smoke. Countless studies have shown that smoking is detrimental to a baby´s development so now is a great time to stub out that habit.

Get Fit:

This is another regular on the resolutions list but, this year you have an extra special motivation. Not only are your chances of conceiving higher when you are fit and healthy but the pregnancy and birth are also significantly easier too. Try swimming or yoga to ease back pain and help you relax. There is also the added bonus that staying fit during pregnancy helps you bounce back into shape afterwards, although don’t forget, it took 9 months to put the weight on, give yourself time to get it back off . No time like the present to lace up your walking shoes and get out into the fresh air.

Get Organised:

You know that one drawer that you cram everything into when you don’t know where else to put it, or what about the wardrobe which is bursting at the seams with clothes you hardly ever wear, or the bathroom you have been meaning to paint but just never seem to find time to do it…yes we all have that list of “to dos” that never seem to get done. Now is a good time to start preparing your nest, both mentally and physically. Use this time to organise and plan for the changes coming your way.Download the app femSense today and start your preparation now. Start tracking your cycle and change to our “Get Pregnant” mode when you are ready to get pregnant.

Get a good night´s sleep:

Not only is getting a good night´s sleep beneficial to your overall health but if there is a small bundle of joy coming into your life this year it will be bringing a big dose of sleep deficit with it. The National Sleep Foundation recommends seven to nine hours of sleep per night for adults. Bad sleep or sleeping patterns can cause a range of health issues including depression, mood swings and slower motor functions. Get your sleep in now while you still can. Irregular sleeping patterns can make using the traditional temperature method difficult to use as a way of detecting ovulation. The femSense patch however measures continuously, all day, meaning that waking during the night does not affect the temperature reading.

Find an outlet for stress:

Whether yoga, meditation, mindfulness or exercise, find a way to unwind and let go. Stress can wreak havoc with your hormones causing irregular cycles and mood swings. Elevated levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, increases the risk of anxiety, depression, heart disease, sleep problems and much more. Stress reduction and relief has to be part of every healthy living programme. You can´t avoid all stress in your life but there are many ways to reduce the pressure you feel. Find one you enjoy and reap the health benefits.

Look after your health:

Be proactive with your health. Make that appointment for a health check, don’t keep putting off that visit to the gynaecologist. Do regular breast self-examinations and watch for changes in your skin or your digestive system. Track your menstrual cycle. Look after your body and be more aware of small signs of change. Your body is a temple, look after it.