Hi Reader,
Planning, prepping, doing, socializing, moving, packing, unpacking, roadtrips, beach days, family, sun burns, late nights, early mornings, warm breezes, and fresh fruits and veggies. Oh yeah - and ice cream, of course!π¦
π Summer π
I know - it's not quite yet summer - I'm trying to plant these seeds before summer arrives in all her glory!
No matter what your relationship is with summer (love it, hate it, or meh about it) - having a few things to keep your body and mind stable while maintaining fertile momentum is a win win.
Here are β¨ 4 magical β¨ words to help you enjoy your summer while you're TTC
β¨ ROUTINE: or rather, 'routine lite'.
Having consistent practices and eating times is so important for your body to feel safe and stable (and this is when it will give your reproductive hormones the green light! π¦) When things go awry with your schedule - your body follows right along.
I say 'lite' here because things get busy during the summer and unplanned things happen - and this can be fun! And can also leave us feeling frazzled and exhausted.
The question is - what routine can I take with me this summer?
What's you're favorite routine that you've established? Maybe it's that quick morning meditation, or maintaining your monthly acupuncture appointments, or doing a fertility yoga class once a week (I can help you with that π) or making sure you always have a water bottle with electrolytes around to keep you hydrated. You get the drift.
Portable, easy, and accessible.
Yes - you will deviate, because alas, you are human and it's summer! And that's ok π But know that you have the tools to bring yourself back into a place of being rooted in yourself - your routine.
β¨ COOL: in both body and mind.
In Ayurveda, summer is Pitta season - and that means heat π₯ We all have different relationships with heat!
Overheating yourself is not good for your body (again - your body responds to extreme heat with the stress response). Too much is never a good thing. And your heat tolerance is dependent on your constitution (or dosha - learn more here).
Staying cool doesn't mean blasting the AC or drinking icy drinks all day - it's more about acclimatization. Adapting to the warmth and taking away the extremes.
You know that feeling when you've been outside in the heat and then you go into a highly air conditioned grocery store - at first it feels amazing, then you're shivering in 5 minutes? These extreme fluctuations are hard for the body - so keep it cool - not cold.
And when temperatures rise outside - so do our emotions. Do you get cranky when you're too hot? I sure do! When we're travelling and visiting family - being 'cool headed' can save the day.
How to keep it cool? Do your exercise in the morning when it's cool, sit in the shade when you can, stay hydrated with water (no ice) with a pinch of pink salt (yes, you need some good electrolytes in your water so your cells can absorb it!), use a fan rather than blasting AC (or lower your AC temp), stay out of the direct sun in the hot time of day (10 - 2).
β¨ BOUNDARIES: know your limit
As women, we have been cultured to say 'yes' to things (thank you patriarchy), and we perceive our worth as how we can help others. Or that people won't like us if we say no.
But we can say NO! and if someone decides they don't like you because you said no to their BBQ that would be a big hassle to get to, then - well - that's their problem.
But you can still be nice about it! I wish I could come, but I won't be able to make it β€οΈ Thanks for thinking of me and the invite. You don't need to make up an elaborate excuse.
You have the right to choose what you do with your time and life.
I love the phrase - when you say yes to something, you're saying no to something else. So make sure you know what you're saying no to!
If you know what your limits are: time, mentally, emotionally, physically, and energetically - it's easier to set the boundary.
β¨ JOY: it's all around you
You choose how you let it into your life.
Friends - life is too short to not embrace joy when it comes your way.
The fertility path is hard AND you can also find and embrace joy.
Joy is fleeting, so grab it while you can. Sit with it, pause when you feel it, smile, and infuse yourself with it's goodness.
Joy is not always fireworks or laughing hysterically with friends - it can come in small packages π
Silence, stillness, flowers, smiles, butterflies, hugs, sunsets, and rainbows π
Summer Studio News
Things slow down at Fertile Body Yoga over the summer.
But I'm prepping for the Fall - which will have lots of amazing offerings!
What's ahead:
Mid September: 40 Days to Fertile Freedom begins! This program is amazing (not to toot my horn...but really it is!) Learn more & get on the waitlist for pre-registration.β
October 19th, 10amPT/1pmET: Spirit Babies and Yoga Workshop get on the waitlist now so you can secure a spot with Justine for your 1:1 reading.
In case you missed it...
There are so many great episodes on the Fringe Fertility Podcast!
The latest one: Stress & Fertility -unpacking how they are interconnected and what you can do about it!
You can listen on Spotify or Apple.
Even though I don't have any livestream classes, I'm still here behind the scenes. Please reach out if you have any questions!
XO
Kerry
PS: Next week look for my email because I'm doing a summer giveaway of some of my favorite non-toxic products!