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Chill Out, Mama! Four Tips on Managing Stress in Pregnancy |
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Written by Christy Callahan
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One of the best gifts a pregnant mom can give her baby and her self is
a calm, clear mind and a relaxed body and nervous system. This brief
article provides four simple suggestions on how to help manage stress
while expecting.
One of the best gifts you can give your baby and yourself is a calm,
clear mind and a relaxed body and nervous system. Why? Your unborn baby
receives chemical messages through the bloodstream through that amazing
organ we call the placenta. It's really a neglected little miracle,
that placenta; it provides nourishment for your developing baby for
months on end. Make sure that the hormones you send to your little one
are mainly loving and peaceful ones. This is not meant to give anyone a
guilt trip! Au contraire, this brief article is designed to clue you in
on a few small steps you can take to help manage stress while
expecting.
1. Physical Exercise. Getting regular exercise is a major stress
buster. I know, many of us hate to work at gyms or jog on the
sidewalks. Perhaps there"s even a dusty exercise contraption lurking in
your garage or closet. One way to get around this is to enlist a friend
to join you, to keep each other accountable. Find something you like to
do—maybe it"s swimming or rollerskating (check with your health care
provider before beginning any new exercise regime, just to be sure).
You don"t have to join a prenatal yoga class to be fit; just be
creative and have fun.
2. Dietary Supplements. Here in Southern California, we are blessed
to have access to a wide variety of health food products. And thanks to
the Internet, you can find quality dietary supplements wherever you
happen to live. Make sure you're getting enough B-complex and C
vitamins. (Both are water soluble which means that you need a fresh
supply every day; that also means that it's much harder to overdose on
them since the excess gets secreted in your urine.) You"ve probably
read about the importance of taking enough folic acid during acid (it's
one of the B vitamins). You may not have heard that we use up more
B-complex vitamins when under stress (as well as while taking oral
contraceptives).
3. Herbs. When correctly used, herbs can be of great benefit for
pregnancy, birth and lactation—and in any phase of life. First, a word
of caution: it is important to check with a knowledgeable professional
if you are unsure about which herbs to use and how much. Herbs like
valerian, for instance, can be quite potent. Generally speaking,
however, store-bought teas are carefully labeled and packaged in safe
doses. Look for a nice, soothing tea with chamomile, lemon verbena and
orange peel. If you find one with peppermint, that"s a plus since the
mint can calm an upset tummy. Be sure to avoid herbs that have a
steroidal effect (like licorice and ginseng) and anything that causes
uterine contractions, especially if you have had repeat miscarriages or
cervical problems.
4. Roomy Scheduling. Does it ever seem like your day is jam-packed
with activities and deadlines? Instead of rushing from one appointment
to the next, try to allow for extra time in between. That way, if
there's a traffic jam or some other unexpected foul-up, you still have
moments to spare. Sure, we all want to feel productive, and yet, if you
are carrying a baby, you're indeed re-productive. Your body is already
working hard to bring new life into the world, so be easy on yourself.
Give yourself big gaps in the day to just BE. Trust me when I say that
you are doing a huge service to yourself and your baby.
Again, YOU are your baby's greatest asset. Who else will be there
when your child falls and scrapes her knee? Who else will understand
him and feel as close to him as you? Pregnancy is a time to celebrate
new life, to connect with the awesomeness of Creation. This is also an
opportunity to learn new ways to nurture your self. Reducing stress,
using any of the tips above, is one way that you take care of your own
needs, to the benefit of your family"s future.
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