How to Stay Calm and Positive During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, people will give you all kinds of advice about what to do--some of it good, some of it not-so-helpful. While the list of things you have to get organised is long and detailed--everything from nappies to maternity wear and birthing classes--it's important to take this time to reflect, relax, and take care of YOU. After all, the next 18 years are going to be dedicated to taking care of an extra little person, so enjoy the time you have with yourself. Here are three ways in which you can get in touch with some inner peace and remain positive and content throughout your pregnancy.

Yoga

Yoga not only has a multitude of health benefits for the practitioner, but it has proven time and time again to help with stress and focus. There are specific prenatal Yoga classes you can attend, or otherwise just choose a very gentle and relaxing kind--Hatha is great--and do as much as feels comfortable. This isn't about becoming the most flexible person in the class or even keeping your figure--it's about learning to connect with your mind and body, release tension, and take a much-needed break from the stresses of daily life. If you prefer, you can do Yoga in the comfort of your own living room, making sure of course that you and your baby are comfortable throughout.

Meditation

You may or may not have had a lot of experience of meditation in the past but pregnancy is the perfect time to embrace this practice. There's no hard or fast way to meditate--you need to find what works for you, but one suggestion is to light some candles, play some relaxing music and sit still for about 10-15 minutes. Try to clear your mind of all the worries and stresses that have been running through your mind and watch your thoughts come and go. This takes a bit of practice--'watching' our thoughts is difficult to do without letting them sweep us up in shopping lists and daily chores--but if you can learn to detach a little bit from your thoughts you'll experience a profound relaxation, and your mind will be rejuvenated for the rest of the day.

Affirmations

Many believe that repeating positive affirmations is an excellent way to achieve happiness and a calm, relaxed outlook. Try repeating this one while you're in the shower:

"I am happy, healthy and capable. All is well and my baby is growing healthy and strong."

This is just a suggestion, you can replace this with any affirmation you like--as long as it is positive. Visualise what you want to happen--if you want more focus, don't say: "I will not get distracted", because then what you visualise is the distraction, not the solution. Instead, affirm to yourself "I remain calm and focused throughout the day" Saying your affirmation as if it is already fact tricks your subconscious into believing it--and you'll start to implement the procedures you need!

In the often frantic world of maternity dresses, baby name books and crib-shopping that is pregnancy, remember to take a little time out to work on your emotional health and well-being. You--and your child--will be grateful you did.