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.
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?
Look, the tendency in some circles to treat stress as a great evil is silly. Stress plays a big role in helping us create, achieve and meet responsibilities.
However, excessive, chronic stress is another matter. And, without doubt, the worst - because least productive - kind of stress is stress about being stressed. And, since excessive, chronic stress in pregnancy can lead to problems for the baby, stressing about stress in pregnancy is understandable and common.
The worst and most pointless stress is indeed stress about being stressed. Don't create a downward spiral for 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.
Not only is there comfort in knowing you're going through this together, but it is often surprising to discover how quickly bad thoughts dispel into nothing once finally stated: like germs exposed to fresh air and sunshine. Letting the bad stuff fester is never healthy.
Friends are also valuable outlets for your communication needs. They don't even necessarily have to be mothers themselves. Your real friends are your friends because they're going to be there for you, whatever happens. Like a rock climber who gives some solid tugs on a line before lowering the full weight of her body onto it, just the occasional, reassuring touching base with your support network goes a long way to comfort you that you're not undertaking this great adventure alone.
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. 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.
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!
And, give yourself time to relax. Many women are just too accustomed to being on top of everything for everyone. If that's your nature, so be it. But while you're pregnant, you need to let go a little bit. Put your feet up and let others bear some of the responsibility for a while. If you work outside of the home, don't be ashamed of taking off some sick days. Even if you're not technically sick. I mean, really, aren't you already doing the most important job of your life: bringing a happy, healthy child into the world?
Stress only becomes a serious problem when we let it. Cut it off at the pass when you sense it arising and never allow yourself to dwell pointlessly upon negative thoughts. Instead, fill your mind with the peaceful anticipation of how wonderful your new baby is going to be. I hope that the suggestions above go a long way in helping you do so, and contribute 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?
Look, the tendency in some circles to treat stress as a great evil is silly. Stress plays a big role in helping us create, achieve and meet responsibilities.
However, excessive, chronic stress is another matter. And, without doubt, the worst - because least productive - kind of stress is stress about being stressed. And, since excessive, chronic stress in pregnancy can lead to problems for the baby, stressing about stress in pregnancy is understandable and common.
The worst and most pointless stress is indeed stress about being stressed. Don't create a downward spiral for 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.
Not only is there comfort in knowing you're going through this together, but it is often surprising to discover how quickly bad thoughts dispel into nothing once finally stated: like germs exposed to fresh air and sunshine. Letting the bad stuff fester is never healthy.
Friends are also valuable outlets for your communication needs. They don't even necessarily have to be mothers themselves. Your real friends are your friends because they're going to be there for you, whatever happens. Like a rock climber who gives some solid tugs on a line before lowering the full weight of her body onto it, just the occasional, reassuring touching base with your support network goes a long way to comfort you that you're not undertaking this great adventure alone.
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. 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.
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!
And, give yourself time to relax. Many women are just too accustomed to being on top of everything for everyone. If that's your nature, so be it. But while you're pregnant, you need to let go a little bit. Put your feet up and let others bear some of the responsibility for a while. If you work outside of the home, don't be ashamed of taking off some sick days. Even if you're not technically sick. I mean, really, aren't you already doing the most important job of your life: bringing a happy, healthy child into the world?
Stress only becomes a serious problem when we let it. Cut it off at the pass when you sense it arising and never allow yourself to dwell pointlessly upon negative thoughts. Instead, fill your mind with the peaceful anticipation of how wonderful your new baby is going to be. I hope that the suggestions above go a long way in helping you do so, and contribute to resolving your stress and pregnancy concerns.
About the Author:
If you or someone you know is coping with an excessively stressful pregnancy, you need to follow all the great info available on the Stress and Pregnancy website. Also, have a look at this concise, articulate video about stress and pregnancy to be better informed. Knowledge is strength!
0 comments:
Post a Comment