| Stress during pregnancy can cause complications to | | | | plenty of sleep. Having a comfortable body pillow, |
| both the mother and child. A continued increase in | | | | taking a relaxing bath before bed and listening to soft |
| stress levels in the mother's body can cause chronic | | | | music or reading a book at bed time help pregnant |
| anxiety and an increase in blood pressure. It can also in | | | | mothers get a restful sleep. When at work one can |
| turn affect the growth and development of the baby. | | | | take short breaks, or just find a place to put up their |
| Even though stress cannot be avoided in the | | | | feet and relax. |
| everyday life of a pregnant woman it can be dealt | | | | 4. Share your feelings |
| with easily by taking proper measures. A simple | | | | Sharing one's own feelings during pregnancy is a great |
| readjustment to lifestyle and active involvement in | | | | way to deal with stress. It helps one get reassured |
| stress free activities during pregnancy will do the trick! | | | | and feel more confident. Talking about one's fears and |
| There are 5 important ways to reduce stress during | | | | concerns about the impending labor, the safety of the |
| pregnancy which are as follows: | | | | baby, coping to pain, parenting and finances can relieve |
| 1. Eat healthy | | | | a lot of stress. A pregnant mother can share her |
| A healthy diet can keep stress under control by | | | | feelings with her partner, mother, friend or doctor to |
| suppressing stress hormones. For example foods rich | | | | get the right advice and support. It is always wise to |
| in vitamin B, whole grain breads etc help produce more | | | | communicate one's problem and rise to challenge |
| of anti-stress hormones such as serotonin. Also, having | | | | rather than unnecessarily stressing out. |
| a well balanced diet during pregnancy helps to keep up | | | | 5. Try natural stress reduction techniques |
| energy and rule out stress. | | | | Meditation, yoga, and other relaxation techniques calm |
| 2. Exercise regularly | | | | the mind and body and reduce stress. Meditation helps |
| Staying fit during pregnancy by doing proper exercises | | | | in relieving pain, lowering blood pressure, and getting |
| enables one to overcome daily stressors. Safe | | | | good quality sleep during pregnancy. It can be done in |
| pregnancy exercises help a pregnant woman to wind | | | | an undisturbed environment with eyes closed and mind |
| down from everyday stress and stay positive. Even | | | | focused on peaceful thoughts. Antenatal yoga which |
| taking a 15 minute walk in the fresh air gives a | | | | includes breathing techniques can have a very |
| de-stressing effect and makes one feel more | | | | beneficial effect during pregnancy and help reduce |
| energetic. | | | | anxiety and panic attacks. Relaxation techniques such |
| 3. Take proper rest | | | | as massages help in relieving back pains, headaches, |
| Getting ample rest during pregnancy is vital for | | | | leg cramps during pregnancy. It also relaxes the |
| lowering stress. For this it is important for pregnant | | | | nervous system by releasing endorphins and balancing |
| mothers to follow a definite sleeping pattern and get | | | | stress levels in the body. |