No doubt about it, pampering yourself in pregnancy will bring results!  A new research study proves it.  The Avon Longitudinal Study of Adults and Children demonstrated that excessive anxiety during pregnancy can actually affect your child.  While this might not be news to some, it has never been demonstrated by research before.

More than ever before, we now know there are important reasons to decrease stress during pregnancy.

There are lots of positive aspects about the life-changing experience of pregnancy.  The promise of a new life, the hopes of what his or her future will bring, the excitement over which parent your baby will look like and what their personality will be like is part of it.

Yet you know that it can be hard to be pregnant at times. Between the weight gain, morning sickness, backaches, cravings, and hormones,  it is no wonder that you sometimes find yourself feeling less than your best. That’s why it is so important for you to pamper and spoil yourself right now. Whether you realize it or not, your body is under a lot of stress about creating this new life. When you take the time to take care of yourself, you are relieving some of those emotional stressors that naturally come with pregnancy.

How do you make yourself feel like a queen?  For starters, consider giving yourself a long, nice, warm bath every night. Don’t make it too hot of course, but you do want it to be warm enough that it is relaxing for you.

Another easy way to relax is to take an hour to yourself every night. This can be spent reading, listening to music, or meditating.  Have you ever tried a guided relaxation–there are tons of apps on your phone for that.  Check them out. What is important is that it is time that is just yours. If you have other kids at home, have your partner take them for an hour every night so that you can have some you time. You will be amazed at what a little private time can do for you and how refreshed you will be when your hour is up.

Before you go to sleep every night, have your husband or partner take some lotion and give you a nice foot rub. Lavender essential oil is excellent for this purpose.  The smell will relax you and properties in the essential oil will help you sleep.  Your feet take a lot of abuse during the day and happy feet are essential to a happy life.  And don’t forget-there are pressure points in your feet that affect everything from your head to your sexual organs. It’s no wonder a good foot massage can make your whole body feel relaxed.

As far as feeling good, nothing beats the power of aromatherapy. Find a good natural essential oil that you like (the calming power of lavender for instance) and keep it with you at all times. Certain scents trigger our minds in different ways and allow us to feel a variety of different emotions. Once you find an aromatherapy scent that relaxes you it is also a good idea to pack it in your hospital bag so you can have that calming scent with you in delivery.  Essential oils affect the same part of our brain that triggers memory, so one that you associate with relaxation can really improve your ability to let go during contractions.

Remember, the symptoms of pregnancy can be a challenge  at times, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Use these simple tips to pamper yourself , ease some of your pregnancy discomfort, and know that you are improving the health of your child at the same time.

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