Stress is a normal part of life. This does not disappear when you are pregnant. It can be stressful at times, especially when you have morning sickness, headaches and the added stress from our lives, such as heavy workloads, financial worries or any prolonged stress. Is not ideal for pregnancy. Research suggests it can harm you and your baby's growth and development and negatively impact your mental wellbeing.
Mother & Bump's Top Ten Tips
1. Forest Bath
Get out for a walk in nature or even better, get out to a forest, wood, or a local park. Forest bathing is good is for physical and mental wellbeing. Be conscious to breathe deeply; take time to observe and take in nature. The combination of walking, deep breathing and fresh air is a fantastic way to still and calm the mind and uplift your mood.
2. Listen to Relaxation Scripts
Learning how to relax your body and mind is a fantastic way to alleviate stress, calm the mind, and prepare your body for labour and birth. Try this every day. You can pop on a script at night as this will help you go into a dreamy sleep.
3. Book a Massage
This helps the endorphins & oxytocin, which will elevate mood and relax the body and mind and release tension, both physically and mentally. It will help boost the immune system and help you to bond and connect with your growing baby.
4. Deep breathing
Learning how to practice deep breathing techniques really helps to send messages to your nervous system that you are safe and well. Take a nice deep breath in, hold for a moment, and then slowly blow the air out through your mouth like you are blowing out a candle; repeat this four times. Lay on your side, put on some nice relaxing music, close your eyes, soften your shoulders, soften your jaw and relax into all the muscles in your body.
5. Create a Spa at home
Make a fabulous bath with some essential oils such as Lavender, Lemon or Jasmine and always dilute this in a carrier oil or milk (like Cleopatra); light some candles, pop in some flowers and play some soothing music and again focus on your breathing.
6. Arts and Crafts
You don’t have to be talented to get involved in arts and crafts; painting, crafting and baking is a great way of releasing stress through mindful activities
7. Talking
Talking to someone you trust is a good way of releasing stress and anxiety! as they say, ‘a problem shared, is a problem halved’.
9. Journaling
I love a journal. Writing down how you feel is a fantastic way of seeing what is coming up for you and is also a great memento to look back on.
9. Join a relaxation group
Join a relaxation group is an excellent way of practicing relaxation techniques with a guided Hypnobirthing / Meditation teacher.
10. Listen to a Podcast
Listen to an inspiring or funny podcast to uplift your mood.
Mother & Bump’s Relaxation Group via Zoom is coming this November 2020