Stress and pregnancy seem to go together all too easily. Some women have the capacity to just left stuff go. If you're one of them, good for you; pregnancy, and everything else, likely, will be a lot easier for you.
The rest of us have to bear the burden of our doubts and anxieties. In pregnancy, of course, it's the endless voice in our head, wondering if the baby will be healthy. Are we eating properly? Sleeping and exercising enough? And, of course, for us first timers, there's the age old doubt: will I be a good mother?
I've never been persuaded by those who would have us regard stress as some sin or evil. Stress can be a very productive force in our lives. It facilitates our creativity, achievement and the ability to meet our responsibilities.
Normal life is full of stress. And there's plenty about pregnancy that can be stressful. To paraphrase F.D. Roosevelt, though, all we have to stress about is stress itself.
Feeling stressed about whether we're too stressed is pointless and harmful. So, it is necessary to avoid descending a downward spiral created by yourself.
When you find yourself getting stressed about whether you're too stressed, then, it is probably a good idea to do something about it. If you feel as though that's your situation, there are two strategies I'd like you to consider: communicating and taking inventory.
Communicating is important in a number of ways. Share your worries and doubts with your partner. Yes, for some women, their pregnancy stress is directly related to their partner: wondering how he is going to react to all these new feelings and responsibilities.
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 tremendous benefit in going through these doubts together, feeling less alone. And, it is always striking how doubts and fears, like germs exposed to fresh air and sunlight, can almost instantly vanish once removed from their dark, festering place.
Talking to friends is also valuable, whether they're experienced with pregnancy or not. Feeling the strength of your support network can go a long ways in making you feel stronger.
The second strategy I'd ask you to consider is inventory taking. It's understandable to wonder about how your eating or exercising practices might affect your baby. Don't stress about it, though. If you have questions, answer them!
Lady, you're living in the World Wide Web Age: make use of it. Never in history has it been easier to research health information from credible scientific medical and maternal care professionals. When you start stressing about whether your choices are good ones, stop stressing and find out what's really true. If you've doubts about what to do; find out what to do.
If you're not doing it, then do it. In all likelihood, what you'll find out, though, is that you're doing just fine. Hopefully that knowledge will put your mind at ease - not only for the issue at hand, but also for the next time you're seized with a moment of self doubt.
If it turns out though that neither of these strategies provide you the comfort you need, a more determined effort may be required. You just may be prone to worry. That's just the way some of us are put together. Even if so, there's still no reason to overly fret. That is, I still don't want you stressing over stressing. There are a variety of practices well proven for relieving psychological stress through the reduction of physical stress. Try these out for some relief: yoga, deep-breathing, meditation, massage, warm baths are all time-honored remedies.
Finally, as a general rule, please, expecting mom, give yourself time and space to relax. If you're a chronic worrier, it is likely that you're used to always feeling like you have organize and double check everything for everyone. If that's your nature then I say, in general, so be it. You are who you are, right? However, maybe, just while you're pregnant, you might want to give yourself a little break from all that. Once in a while you've got to put up your feet and chill. Others can handle the responsibility for a while. And another thing: if you have a job outside of the home, don't hesitate to take some time off. Cash in some of those sick days. After all, aren't you working 24 hours a day on the biggest job of all?
Stress is only a problem if you let it become one. Nip the cause in the bud, don't dwell on bad thoughts and think about how wonderful your new baby is going to be. Those are the keys to resolving your stress and pregnancy concerns.
The rest of us have to bear the burden of our doubts and anxieties. In pregnancy, of course, it's the endless voice in our head, wondering if the baby will be healthy. Are we eating properly? Sleeping and exercising enough? And, of course, for us first timers, there's the age old doubt: will I be a good mother?
I've never been persuaded by those who would have us regard stress as some sin or evil. Stress can be a very productive force in our lives. It facilitates our creativity, achievement and the ability to meet our responsibilities.
Normal life is full of stress. And there's plenty about pregnancy that can be stressful. To paraphrase F.D. Roosevelt, though, all we have to stress about is stress itself.
Feeling stressed about whether we're too stressed is pointless and harmful. So, it is necessary to avoid descending a downward spiral created by yourself.
When you find yourself getting stressed about whether you're too stressed, then, it is probably a good idea to do something about it. If you feel as though that's your situation, there are two strategies I'd like you to consider: communicating and taking inventory.
Communicating is important in a number of ways. Share your worries and doubts with your partner. Yes, for some women, their pregnancy stress is directly related to their partner: wondering how he is going to react to all these new feelings and responsibilities.
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 tremendous benefit in going through these doubts together, feeling less alone. And, it is always striking how doubts and fears, like germs exposed to fresh air and sunlight, can almost instantly vanish once removed from their dark, festering place.
Talking to friends is also valuable, whether they're experienced with pregnancy or not. Feeling the strength of your support network can go a long ways in making you feel stronger.
The second strategy I'd ask you to consider is inventory taking. It's understandable to wonder about how your eating or exercising practices might affect your baby. Don't stress about it, though. If you have questions, answer them!
Lady, you're living in the World Wide Web Age: make use of it. Never in history has it been easier to research health information from credible scientific medical and maternal care professionals. When you start stressing about whether your choices are good ones, stop stressing and find out what's really true. If you've doubts about what to do; find out what to do.
If you're not doing it, then do it. In all likelihood, what you'll find out, though, is that you're doing just fine. Hopefully that knowledge will put your mind at ease - not only for the issue at hand, but also for the next time you're seized with a moment of self doubt.
If it turns out though that neither of these strategies provide you the comfort you need, a more determined effort may be required. You just may be prone to worry. That's just the way some of us are put together. Even if so, there's still no reason to overly fret. That is, I still don't want you stressing over stressing. There are a variety of practices well proven for relieving psychological stress through the reduction of physical stress. Try these out for some relief: yoga, deep-breathing, meditation, massage, warm baths are all time-honored remedies.
Finally, as a general rule, please, expecting mom, give yourself time and space to relax. If you're a chronic worrier, it is likely that you're used to always feeling like you have organize and double check everything for everyone. If that's your nature then I say, in general, so be it. You are who you are, right? However, maybe, just while you're pregnant, you might want to give yourself a little break from all that. Once in a while you've got to put up your feet and chill. Others can handle the responsibility for a while. And another thing: if you have a job outside of the home, don't hesitate to take some time off. Cash in some of those sick days. After all, aren't you working 24 hours a day on the biggest job of all?
Stress is only a problem if you let it become one. Nip the cause in the bud, don't dwell on bad thoughts and think about how wonderful your new baby is going to be. Those are the keys to resolving your stress and pregnancy concerns.
About the Author:
Whether it's you or someone you love is coping with an unusually stressful pregnancy, you need to follow all the great info available on the Stress and Pregnancy blog. Also, have a look at this concise, articulate video about stress and pregnancy to be better informed. Knowledge is strength!
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