012. Gauge Strings on a Mexican Stratocaster

Hello everybody! I'm new to the forum so, I hope I'm not posting in the wrong place!

I have an 8 years old Fender Strato. I had always used 09. to 010. strings on it, but recently I decided to try on something more heavy, like 012. gauge.
However, even in D# tuning, it became really hard to make bends, and I'm a David Gilmour bend kinda guy.
My question is, is there any way to make it softer to play in D# or standard with this string? Or Strato guitars are not suitable for using a more heavy gauge string?

Thanks in advance, fellas!