5 Tips for Relieving Pregnancy Anxiety
Pregnancy anxiety is super common. If you are feeling anxious during your pregnancy you are not alone. I had anxiety on and off throughout my first pregnancy and again during the first trimester of my second pregnancy. I did a lot of research and share everything I found in my book Healthy Holistic Pregnancy. Today I’m happy to share a guest post that gives you 5 tips for relieving pregnancy anxiety.
Whether you’re expecting your first baby or you’re adding to your brood, it’s likely that you will go through a range of emotions during pregnancy. While bringing a life into the world should be one of the most joyous and precious moments in your life, many moms-to-be find being pregnant incredibly tough. If you’re struggling and in need of some help, here are five tips for relieving pregnancy anxiety.
Get enough sleep
If you aren’t getting enough sleep during pregnancy, it’s likely that you will wake up with no energy, leaving you feeling rundown throughout the day. With some research suggesting that lack of sleep could heighten anxiety, doing all you can to get enough sleep is important. Aim for seven to eight hours per night. If you struggle with drifting off, there are lots of tips available that can help you get some much-needed shut-eye. If problems persist, it’s best to speak to your healthcare provider, who will be able to point you in the right direction.
Follow a balanced diet
More and more research has indicated that the foods you eat can have a huge impact on your mental health. As you will be eating for two during pregnancy, it’s best to put down the fizzy sodas and fatty foods, and instead opting for unprocessed foods full of vitamins and nutrients to support you and your baby. Make sure to include plenty of fruits and vegetables into your diet, as well as organic dairy (if you can tolerate it) and whole grains, which are said to help support healthy bacteria in the gut, helping to lessen anxiety.
Stay active
Staying as fit and active as you can during pregnancy can help ward off the signs of pregnancy anxiety and depression. Every mom-to-be is different, so while one may feel relatively fine throughout her pregnancy, others may experience frequent bouts of sickness. If you’re in the latter category, it’s understandable that exercise may be the last thing on your mind, however, those who perform regular exercise are said to be 25% less likely to develop anxiety. Even going for a short walk around your neighbourhood can make the world of difference, giving you some much needed fresh air.
Build a support system
Having the right support system around you is crucial during pregnancy. If you’re expecting your first child, you won’t have anything to compare the experience with, so it’s only natural that you will feel anxious and stressed, however, having your nearest and dearest at hand can help you feel more relaxed and calm. If you don’t live near friends and family or you are separated from your partner, you may want to consider looking into highly rated medical alert systems, which you can wear in case you go into labor and there is no one around to help.
Schedule time for relaxation
Scientists have discovered that acupuncture and regular meditation have a wide range of benefits for those with anxiety. Having some time to relax and unwind is incredibly important, so shutting yourself off from the daily stresses of life and trying yoga or any other relaxation method can be a huge help, especially during pregnancy.
You need to remember that it’s completely normal to feel worried and anxious throughout pregnancy. If you feel your anxiety is having a severe impact on your day to day life, getting enough sleep, following a balanced diet, having a support network around you, as well as practicing relaxation techniques are just a few things that you can do to relieve pregnancy anxiety.
Today’s post with 5 tips for relieving pregnancy anxiety is a paid guest post. If you are interested in publishing a post on JesseLaneWellness.com, please email info@jesselanewellness.com.