As a pregnant mother, it is all too easy to focus on the health and wellness of your growing baby while forgetting about yourself. But you can’t fill up someone else’s cup when yours is empty! Many pregnancies cause a great deal of stress, but excess amounts of tension can, unfortunately, harm both you and your baby if it goes untreated for too long. Luckily, there are plenty of natural methods to try to curb your stress and restore peace to your pregnancy. Here are a few to try.
Melt away tension with a massage.
Pregnancy is full of aches and pains, so you’ll want to take some time for yourself and de-stress. Having a pregnancy massage will not only give you relaxation from the hustle and bustle of daily life, but an experienced massage therapist will work on troublesome, sore spots to make you feel better. When you are full of aches and pains, your muscles will tense up and make you stand, sit, and lay in awkward positions, which can lead to fatigue and chronic pain. A pregnancy massage will fix this for you, and make you feel better in no time at all. By focusing on pressure points, a massage therapist can reduce swelling and help a pregnant woman feel more comfortable as she deals with the wight in her abdomen from carrying her baby.
Focus on your breathing.
It can be extremely hard to breathe when pregnant, as the child is making it harder for your lungs to inflate. Combine this with the fact that stress can cause you to take shallower breaths, and this means your body may not be breathing properly and your organs aren’t getting the proper amounts of oxygen they need. This can be easily fixed by taking some time to focus on your breath. Breathe in for five seconds, and out for 10. Repeat for at least 10 minutes and you will be feeling better and rejuvenated.
Stretch it out.
Get your body moving so that your muscles, ligaments, and bones are all in better shape to help you carry a baby. Simple stretches will lubricate your joints and increase blood flow to your brain, which can wake you up, make you feel more alert, and improve your mental clarity. The best part is that you can easily do these from the comfort of your bed, office chair, or even car. It’s also a good idea to try a prenatal yoga class for a full-body stretch. Stretching can help with discomfort and muscle aches.
Write to your friends.
We are all stuck with our faces in our phones all day, and social media can be stressful in and of itself. It is easy to feel as if you’re missing out on some personal connections with friends, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic. An easy way to get a mood boost is to write an old-fashioned letter or send a birthday card! There are many fun birthday cards for her or pretty stationary to pick from that will bring some joy to both you and the recipient. You’ll be sure to find the perfect birthday card for your best friends, whether they are likely to like a funny birthday card or a more serious one. You can even go the extra step and become penpals with a handful of your friends so you can keep the letters and well-wishes coming on a routine basis. Consider initiating a greeting card exchange so that you get well wishes from your best friends on a regular basis.
Have some tea.
Peppermint tea works wonders for pregnant women, as it is full of many feel-good benefits. For example, not only does peppermint soothe an upset stomach, it contains menthol which acts as a sedative and a muscle relaxant. Additionally, taking small sips of the tea will remove gasses from your stomach, which eases bloating and indigestion. What’s best is that peppermint tea naturally is caffeine-free, so you don’t have to worry about your intake. There are some areas that aren’t right for pregnant women, though, so be sure to do your research before taking a sip.
While pregnancy may be stressful at times, it results in the most beautiful gift you could ever receive. So hang in there Mama, as the bet is yet to come!
