It\u2019s December now, we are officially in the winter season! As winter weaves its frosty tapestry across some part of the world, there is some undeniable magic in the air. This enchanting and charming season can come with its own set of challenges. Sometimes people get depressed with the cold weather and shorter day times. Luckily for me,\u00a0I\u2019m originally from Taiwan and currently living in California, so snowy weather challenges are not exactly on my to-do list! Most of the time winter doesn\u2019t bother me much; in fact, I’m one of those weirdos who gets excited for more than just the holiday season- I\u2019m talking winter excitement, baby!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, I don\u2019t mind the cold., but there is one annoying thing I need to worry about –\u00a0the stormy rainy season in California. As someone managing rental properties for homeowners, the high winds and wet weather might cause some unwanted damage. Just the thought of what could happen sometimes gives me anxiety. Argh\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anyway, despite the potential rainy hurdles, I\u2019m usually thrilled for the winter, and it\u2019s not just about the holiday season. Typically, during this time I pack my bags and travel back home to Taiwan. However, this year, my winter routine has been disrupted, all thanks to my pregnancy! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
My mom is overly concerned and doesn\u2019t want me flying around, even though I\u2019ve reassured her that my doctor has approved travel until I\u2019m 7 months pregnant. So, no more babymoon, the Frankfurt Book Fair, and Taiwan is off the travel itinerary. Now, with my expected due date getting close, winter is taking on a whole new meaning for me. I feel trapped. Most of the time I am uncomfortable and in pain, and I haven\u2019t been able to sleep for a while. People are worried about me getting cold, and that my life has become boring. The mix of cold weather and pregnancy has brought a shift in my mood! Now, I may relate to \u201cWinter Blues.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do I plan on surviving this winter? Don\u2019t let winter blues and pregnancy beat you down. Instead of resisting the cold and darkness, embrace the unique experience! I will share my tips and plans with you! Hopefully, I will not just survive but thrive during this hurdle.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m not a daylight person. This year, I noticed that limited daylight might cause some of the winter blues for me. For me, I make an effort to maximize your exposure to natural light. I open most of my blinds during the day and try to sit close to a window! Getting exposure to natural light helps regulate your circadian rhythm and it can boost up your mood. If you want, take a jacket and do some walking around your neighborhood during the daytime as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Exercise is an excellent mood booster and it is also highly recommended during pregnancy too! I\u2019m really bad at keeping up with my exercise. Especially now during winter and with a giant tummy, exercise is much less appealing! Don\u2019t be like me! Being a lazy bum is not going to improve things for you. Look for pregnancy- friendly exercises that you like and just suck it up and do it! Keep up your exercise can also help you to have a better and easier delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being pregnant can easily lead to becoming socially isolated especially during the winter months! However, staying connected with others is very crucial. Combat this by planning gatherings with friends and family. You can have your gatherings in person or virtually. Personally, I prefer in person; I feel virtual events still isolate myself from the world! I need to go out and change my surroundings; that\u2019s how I keep my wellness. You can also join some expecting mothers group on Facebook or your local community. Since everyone is expecting, you can share your current struggles and experiences with each other. Supporting others can also be one of source of comfort and joy during this tough time! Another tip is to stay away from toxic people. You don\u2019t need negative energy around you. It\u2019s bad for you and your baby!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are someone afraid of the cold, you can make your home into a haven of warmth and comfort. Invest a little money in a soft blanket you like and some candles. I would suggest using natural and unscented candles if you are pregnant because the scent might make you nauseous. Pick a spot that you find most comfortable, and you decorate with your favorite items that make you happy. When you feel uneasy, you can just stay in that cozy nest to boost up your mood or calm you down! This is not just for your emotional well- being but it\u2019s also good for your baby\u2019s development. Happy mom, happy baby!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As your pregnancy develops, some people might have more unwanted symptoms that cause discomfort. Don\u2019t let your pregnancy experience become daunting and dreadful. Incorporate some mindfulness techniques into your daily routine. Whether it\u2019s meditation, yoga or breathing exercises, those simple practices can help you manage your stress and anxiety. They can also help you sleep better as well. I use the Calm app<\/a> as my white noise machine when I can\u2019t fall sleep. Another tool I use is: Meditation for inner peace<\/a>. It\u2019s just a 11-minute video with yoga with Adriane<\/a>! Be curious, try all the mindfulness technique you find, see what you like, and start incorporating those exercises into your daily life!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you feel trapped at home because of the winter months, your pregnancy or both, that means it\u2019s time to explore new hobbies or revisit old ones that you used to enjoy! I haven\u2019t had time to read for a while due to my busy schedule and now that I’m close to my due dates, I\u2019ve been picking up my reading and also searching for reading lists for my baby. I\u2019ve always been a non-fiction reader but with my pregnancy, I have been adventuring into illustrations, picture books and fictions! That’s also a new discovery! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another old hobby I picked up was journaling and practicing my writing. The pandemic has changed my work environment a lot; many tasks and meeting are all scheduled on digital platforms, calendar, and project management programs and that made me stop using my planner and fountain pens. Now that I have more daily life tasks because of my baby’s arrival; I started using my planner to do my lists. Also, the feeling of writing calms me down sometimes when I am having mood swings. Engaging in hobbies really help maintain a positive mindset! If you don\u2019t have a favorite one yet, it\u2019s the perfect opportunity to explore one now!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the winter blue or pregnancy- related emotions become overwhelming, don\u2019t hesitate to seek professional support. You can reach out to your insurance provider to see what kind of services or help they offer. I remember at my beginning of pregnancy, my insurance provider reached out to me monthly to chitchat with me to ensure my mental health is in a good state. They also provide wellness tips to me to help me navigate through some difficulties time. Therefore, don\u2019t be afraid to seek professional support. A therapist or counselor can help you cope with your unique situation. Everyone has different issues; there is no shame on asking for help!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Winter can be lonely! Combining pregnancy may be stressful! Don\u2019t suffer by yourself. Don\u2019t be shy to reach out to your loved ones; they can be your biggest support to help you deal with your challenges! I hope my tips can help you navigate with winter blue and the emotional struggle of pregnancy! Stay positive and enjoy your little cozy nest you build for yourself. Winter is not just a season full of cold and darkness. It\u2019s also a perfect place for you to create new memories and discover new interests or even build new connections. Don\u2019t hide yourself from the world! Come out and enjoy your new adventures.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It\u2019s December now, we are officially in the winter season! As winter weaves its frosty tapestry across some part of the world, there is some undeniable magic in the air. This enchanting and charming season can come with its own set of challenges. Sometimes people get depressed with the cold weather and shorter day times. Luckily for me,\u00a0I\u2019m originally from Taiwan and currently living in California, so snowy weather challenges are not exactly on my to-do list! Most of the time winter doesn\u2019t bother me much; in fact, I’m one of those weirdos who gets excited for more than just the holiday season- I\u2019m talking winter excitement, baby!\u00a0 Now, I don\u2019t mind the cold., but there is one annoying thing I need to worry about –\u00a0the stormy rainy season in California. As someone managing rental properties for homeowners, the high winds and wet weather might cause some unwanted damage. Just the thought of what could happen sometimes gives me anxiety. Argh\u2026 New Challenges Anyway, despite the potential rainy hurdles, I\u2019m usually thrilled for the winter, and it\u2019s not just about the holiday season. Typically, during this time I pack my bags and travel back home to Taiwan. However, this year, my winter routine has been disrupted, all thanks to my pregnancy! My mom is overly concerned and doesn\u2019t want me flying around, even though I\u2019ve reassured her that my doctor has approved travel until I\u2019m 7 months pregnant. So, no more babymoon, the Frankfurt Book Fair, and Taiwan is off the travel itinerary. Now, with my expected due date getting close, winter is taking on a whole new meaning for me. I feel trapped. Most of the time I am uncomfortable and in pain, and I haven\u2019t been able to sleep for a while. People are worried about me getting cold, and that my life has become boring. The mix of cold weather and pregnancy has brought a shift in my mood! Now, I may relate to \u201cWinter Blues.\u201d How do I plan on surviving this winter? Don\u2019t let winter blues and pregnancy beat you down. Instead of resisting the cold and darkness, embrace the unique experience! I will share my tips and plans with you! Hopefully, I will not just survive but thrive during this hurdle.\u00a0 Maximize Natural Light Exposure I\u2019m not a daylight person. This year, I noticed that limited daylight might cause some of the winter blues for me. For me, I make an effort to maximize your exposure to natural light. I open most of my blinds during the day and try to sit close to a window! Getting exposure to natural light helps regulate your circadian rhythm and it can boost up your mood. If you want, take a jacket and do some walking around your neighborhood during the daytime as well. Stay Active, Safely Exercise is an excellent mood booster and it is also highly recommended during pregnancy too! I\u2019m really bad at keeping up with my exercise. Especially now during winter and with a giant tummy, exercise is much less appealing! Don\u2019t be like me! Being a lazy bum is not going to improve things for you. Look for pregnancy- friendly exercises that you like and just suck it up and do it! Keep up your exercise can also help you to have a better and easier delivery. Socialize and Stay Connected Being pregnant can easily lead to becoming socially isolated especially during the winter months! However, staying connected with others is very crucial. Combat this by planning gatherings with friends and family. You can have your gatherings in person or virtually. Personally, I prefer in person; I feel virtual events still isolate myself from the world! I need to go out and change my surroundings; that\u2019s how I keep my wellness. You can also join some expecting mothers group on Facebook or your local community. Since everyone is expecting, you can share your current struggles and experiences with each other. Supporting others can also be one of source of comfort and joy during this tough time! Another tip is to stay away from toxic people. You don\u2019t need negative energy around you. It\u2019s bad for you and your baby!\u00a0 Create a Cozy Nest If you are someone afraid of the cold, you can make your home into a haven of warmth and comfort. Invest a little money in a soft blanket you like and some candles. I would suggest using natural and unscented candles if you are pregnant because the scent might make you nauseous. Pick a spot that you find most comfortable, and you decorate with your favorite items that make you happy. When you feel uneasy, you can just stay in that cozy nest to boost up your mood or calm you down! This is not just for your emotional well- being but it\u2019s also good for your baby\u2019s development. Happy mom, happy baby! Calming Mindful Practice As your pregnancy develops, some people might have more unwanted symptoms that cause discomfort. Don\u2019t let your pregnancy experience become daunting and dreadful. Incorporate some mindfulness techniques into your daily routine. Whether it\u2019s meditation, yoga or breathing exercises, those simple practices can help you manage your stress and anxiety. They can also help you sleep better as well. I use the Calm app as my white noise machine when I can\u2019t fall sleep. Another tool I use is: Meditation for inner peace. It\u2019s just a 11-minute video with yoga with Adriane! Be curious, try all the mindfulness technique you find, see what you like, and start incorporating those exercises into your daily life!\u00a0 Plan Indoor Activities If you feel trapped at home because of the winter months, your pregnancy or both, that means it\u2019s time to explore new hobbies or revisit old ones that you used to enjoy! I haven\u2019t had time to read for a while due to my busy schedule and now that I’m close to my due dates, I\u2019ve been picking up my reading and also searching for reading lists for my baby. I\u2019ve always been a non-fiction reader but with my pregnancy, I have been adventuring into illustrations, picture books and fictions! That’s also a new discovery! Another old hobby I picked up was journaling and practicing my writing. The pandemic has changed my work environment a lot; many tasks and meeting are all scheduled on digital platforms, calendar, and project management programs and that made me stop using my planner and fountain pens. Now that I have more daily life tasks because of my baby’s arrival; I started using my planner to do my lists. Also, the feeling of writing calms me down sometimes when I am having mood swings. Engaging in hobbies really help maintain a positive mindset! If you don\u2019t have a favorite one yet, it\u2019s the perfect opportunity to explore one now! Seek Professional Support If the winter blue or pregnancy- related emotions become overwhelming, don\u2019t hesitate to seek professional support. You can reach out to your insurance provider to see what kind of services or help they offer. I remember at my beginning of pregnancy, my insurance provider reached out to me monthly to chitchat with me to ensure my mental health is in a good state. They also provide wellness tips to me to help me navigate through some difficulties time. Therefore, don\u2019t be afraid to seek professional support. A therapist or counselor can help you cope with your unique situation. Everyone has different issues; there is no shame on asking for help! Winter can be lonely! Combining pregnancy may be stressful! Don\u2019t suffer by yourself. Don\u2019t be shy to reach out to your loved ones; they can be your biggest support to help you deal with your challenges! I hope my tips can help you navigate with winter blue and the emotional struggle of pregnancy! Stay positive and enjoy your little cozy nest you build for yourself. Winter is not just a season full of cold and darkness. It\u2019s also a perfect place for you to create new memories and discover new interests or even build new connections. Don\u2019t hide yourself from the world! Come out and enjoy your new adventures.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1245,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[66],"tags":[85,70,86],"yoast_head":"\nPlan Indoor Activities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Seek Professional Support<\/h3>\n\n\n\n