When those two lines appeared on that pregnancy test, you knew right away that your life would change forever. Then you begin to experience pregnancy cravings and changes in your body that your excitement is quickly replaced with a lot of fear and anxiety.
You’re not alone. In fact, 1 in 10 women experience anxiety during pregnancy, according to a study. Luckily, there are ways to manage anxiety, like educating yourself through blogs like Belly Belly, practicing mindfulness exercises and living a healthier lifestyle. Let’s break it down further:
Educate yourself about pregnancy.
Being pregnant for the first time means stepping into the unknown—and that could bring out a lot of anxious feelings. But instead of dwelling on what you don’t know, focus your energy on educating yourself about pregnancy and motherhood. Follow blogs that offer content about these topics, join forums with other expectant mothers and just talk to women who already went through your journey.
Although each pregnancy is different, knowing what to expect during and after your pregnancy will help relieve your anxious feelings and replace them with excitement and anticipation. Of course, learning new things will also come in handy as you go through your pregnancy and once your baby is born.
Read more:
- Things to Keep in Mind During Pregnancy
- Preparing for Pregnancy: Tips and Tricks
- Is it Safe to Eat Jackfruit During Pregnancy?
- Can You Drink Coffee When Pregnant?
Acknowledge your feelings.
When you’re dealing with both physical and hormonal changes, it’s so easy to get caught up in your roller coaster of emotions while you’re pregnant. But if anxiety is already taking over, you need to deal with it before things get worse.
The first step to doing that is by acknowledging that you’re anxious or scared, and it’s okay to feel that way. When you accept that you’re going through anxiety, it would be easier to address the problem.
Find ways to help you feel better.
Anxiety can be debilitating if you let it affect your life. But you have to remember that you’re carrying a precious little cargo inside your tummy, and he can feel your emotions too. So instead of focusing your energy on being anxious, find ways to distract your mind and help you feel a lot better.
A simple deep breathing exercise can already do a lot to calm your mind and body. Whenever you feel anxious, pause, find a quiet spot and take deep, slow breaths until you feel a lot calmer. You can also enrol in yoga and meditation classes that teach you how to relax and manage your anxiety and stress better.
If you’re staying at home during your pregnancy, try new things that will help keep your mind busy, like a new hobby or craft. Have you always wanted to cook? Take this time to learn new recipes. Do you want to try painting? This is the perfect time to do it.
Practice a healthier lifestyle.
This should come as a no-brainer if you’re pregnant since you want to nourish your baby as it grows inside your tummy. A lot of pregnant women are scared to exercise, thinking that it could trigger early labour. But as long as you have clearance from your doctor and you do exercises that are not as strenuous for you, like going on a walk or swimming, engaging in physical activity helps you manage your weight and improve your mood at the same time.
Pregnancy should also be the time to really invest in a balanced diet. With guidance from your doctor, make sure that you eat healthy meals that nourish your mind and body as well as your baby. Keep your sugar and caffeine intake low, as these can make your anxiety worse. Instead, eat a lot of fruits and vegetables as well as healthy proteins that will help keep your body strong throughout your pregnancy and prepare it for childbirth.
Of course, nothing beats getting adequate sleep, especially when you’re pregnant. If you notice, you tend to be more stressed or anxious when you lack sleep. Getting adequate sleep every night doesn’t only give your body the chance to rest but also to help your baby grow healthier inside your tummy.
Anxiety may be part of pregnancy, but never let it take away the joy of one of the most wonderful seasons of your life.
