Like a horse and carriage, stress and pregnancy tend to go together. If you're one of those who can just let it all slide like water off a duck's back, good for you.
Most of us, though, can't escape those nagging thoughts. Will the baby be healthy? Am I eating well enough? Sleeping enough? Exercising? And, of course, if it's your first, there's always that eternal one: will I be able to be a good mother?
I don't buy the story that stress is an unmitigated evil. That, it seems to me, is the talk of shallow sandal wearing, granola eaters. Stress contributes much to our ability to create, achieve and meet responsibilities.
Excessive and chronic stress, though, is a whole different kettle of fish. The one truly completely unproductive kind of stress is stress about stress. And, since excessive, chronic stress in pregnancy can lead to problems for the baby, stressing about stress in pregnancy is as understandable and common as it is ill-advised.
The worst and most pointless stress is indeed stress about being stressed. Don't create a downward spiral for yourself.
Whenever an awareness of stressing over stress comes apparent to you, preventative action is prescribed. When you find yourself in that situation, there are two strategies I'd suggest you try: communicating and taking inventory.
Communication is of course important in most things. It has particularly therapeutic benefits in pregnancy. To begin with, it is important to talk about your concerns with your partner. I'm well aware that your pregnancy stress could have in fact a lot to do with your partner: particularly worrying over his feelings and reactions.
Even if that's your situation, don't refrain from discussing it with him. He might actually feel relieved at the opportunity to let out what's been feeling bottled up. And his feeling more relaxed will likely relax you, too. And even if your stress has nothing to do with him and he's totally cool with everything, often just being able to express your doubts or fears is an amazing elixir.
There's considerable reassurance in going through these doubts together, knowing and feeling that you're not alone. And, it is always striking how doubts and fears can simply vanish once we refuse to allow them to fester.
And, of course, don't forget your friends. Don't assume that they can only be comforts to you if they're experienced mothers. Of course there can be a great benefit in talking to those who have been through it all. Even if not, though, sometimes just reminding yourself about your wonderful support network can be immensely comforting.
Taking inventory is another valuable strategy for stress reduction during pregnancy. When you find yourself worrying about what you're eating or how much exercise you're getting, again, don't let it fester. Do something about it.
My dear, you are after all living in the most remarkable age of knowledge access in the history of the world. You know, that little old Internet thing? Use it! A wealth of health information, from the most credible scientific medical and maternal care professionals, is available at your finger tips. So, if you start feeling yourself begin to stress out, about your dietary or other decisions, stop fretting and start researching. When you have doubts about what to do; find out what to do.
If you're not doing it, then do it. Though, I suspect, the overwhelming majority of time, you'll discover what you've been doing is perfectly fine. Knowledge is your friend; let it put you at ease.
However, it is true, that for some women, none of this solves the problem. If that's you, well, then, maybe you're just a worrier by disposition. Hey, some of us are wired that way; what's to be done? Well, that's still no reason to descend into a spiral of stressing over stress. There are many exercises you can undertake that have been time tested remedies to psychological stress, through the reduction of physical stress. Top of the list to start would be yoga, deep-breathing, meditation, massage, and warm baths. These things work!
Also, be sure to take plenty of you-time, to relax. Take advantage of sick days, if you're working out of the home. Put your feet up and let others take over the responsibilities.
Generally, stress becomes a serious problem only if we allow it. Nip it in the bud when you see it coming. Refuse to allow yourself to dwell on negative thoughts. Nothing good comes from pointless or directionless worry. A far better use of that great imagination of yours is the excited anticipation of that beautiful baby of yours, on its way. Here's hoping the suggestions above assist you in letting go of your stress and pregnancy concerns, and having a wonderful pregnancy.
Most of us, though, can't escape those nagging thoughts. Will the baby be healthy? Am I eating well enough? Sleeping enough? Exercising? And, of course, if it's your first, there's always that eternal one: will I be able to be a good mother?
I don't buy the story that stress is an unmitigated evil. That, it seems to me, is the talk of shallow sandal wearing, granola eaters. Stress contributes much to our ability to create, achieve and meet responsibilities.
Excessive and chronic stress, though, is a whole different kettle of fish. The one truly completely unproductive kind of stress is stress about stress. And, since excessive, chronic stress in pregnancy can lead to problems for the baby, stressing about stress in pregnancy is as understandable and common as it is ill-advised.
The worst and most pointless stress is indeed stress about being stressed. Don't create a downward spiral for yourself.
Whenever an awareness of stressing over stress comes apparent to you, preventative action is prescribed. When you find yourself in that situation, there are two strategies I'd suggest you try: communicating and taking inventory.
Communication is of course important in most things. It has particularly therapeutic benefits in pregnancy. To begin with, it is important to talk about your concerns with your partner. I'm well aware that your pregnancy stress could have in fact a lot to do with your partner: particularly worrying over his feelings and reactions.
Even if that's your situation, don't refrain from discussing it with him. He might actually feel relieved at the opportunity to let out what's been feeling bottled up. And his feeling more relaxed will likely relax you, too. And even if your stress has nothing to do with him and he's totally cool with everything, often just being able to express your doubts or fears is an amazing elixir.
There's considerable reassurance in going through these doubts together, knowing and feeling that you're not alone. And, it is always striking how doubts and fears can simply vanish once we refuse to allow them to fester.
And, of course, don't forget your friends. Don't assume that they can only be comforts to you if they're experienced mothers. Of course there can be a great benefit in talking to those who have been through it all. Even if not, though, sometimes just reminding yourself about your wonderful support network can be immensely comforting.
Taking inventory is another valuable strategy for stress reduction during pregnancy. When you find yourself worrying about what you're eating or how much exercise you're getting, again, don't let it fester. Do something about it.
My dear, you are after all living in the most remarkable age of knowledge access in the history of the world. You know, that little old Internet thing? Use it! A wealth of health information, from the most credible scientific medical and maternal care professionals, is available at your finger tips. So, if you start feeling yourself begin to stress out, about your dietary or other decisions, stop fretting and start researching. When you have doubts about what to do; find out what to do.
If you're not doing it, then do it. Though, I suspect, the overwhelming majority of time, you'll discover what you've been doing is perfectly fine. Knowledge is your friend; let it put you at ease.
However, it is true, that for some women, none of this solves the problem. If that's you, well, then, maybe you're just a worrier by disposition. Hey, some of us are wired that way; what's to be done? Well, that's still no reason to descend into a spiral of stressing over stress. There are many exercises you can undertake that have been time tested remedies to psychological stress, through the reduction of physical stress. Top of the list to start would be yoga, deep-breathing, meditation, massage, and warm baths. These things work!
Also, be sure to take plenty of you-time, to relax. Take advantage of sick days, if you're working out of the home. Put your feet up and let others take over the responsibilities.
Generally, stress becomes a serious problem only if we allow it. Nip it in the bud when you see it coming. Refuse to allow yourself to dwell on negative thoughts. Nothing good comes from pointless or directionless worry. A far better use of that great imagination of yours is the excited anticipation of that beautiful baby of yours, on its way. Here's hoping the suggestions above assist you in letting go of your stress and pregnancy concerns, and having a wonderful pregnancy.
About the Author:
If you or someone you know is dealing with an unusually stressful pregnancy, you need to follow all the great info available on the Stress and Pregnancy website. Also, have a look at this concise, informative video about stress and pregnancy to be better informed. Knowledge is strength!
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