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.
If though you are getting just too concerned about your stress levels, then it might be wise to take positive action: even if only to relieve your stress about stress. I'd suggest two strategies: 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.
Whether that's the case or not, don't be surprised if he isn't also having doubts and feeling stressed - possibly over how you're coping! Sharing your feelings, even stating the fear you feel you shouldn't be having, is an amazing elixir.
There's considerable reassurance in going through these doubts together, knowing and feeling that you're not alone. And, it is always striking how doubts and fears can simply vanish once we refuse to allow them to fester.
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.
We live in the age of the Internet for goodness sake. It's easy to find reliable dietary and fitness information from credible medical and maternal care sources. If you have doubts about some of your choices, find out what you should be doing.
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 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.
If though you are getting just too concerned about your stress levels, then it might be wise to take positive action: even if only to relieve your stress about stress. I'd suggest two strategies: 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.
Whether that's the case or not, don't be surprised if he isn't also having doubts and feeling stressed - possibly over how you're coping! Sharing your feelings, even stating the fear you feel you shouldn't be having, is an amazing elixir.
There's considerable reassurance in going through these doubts together, knowing and feeling that you're not alone. And, it is always striking how doubts and fears can simply vanish once we refuse to allow them to fester.
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.
We live in the age of the Internet for goodness sake. It's easy to find reliable dietary and fitness information from credible medical and maternal care sources. If you have doubts about some of your choices, find out what you should be doing.
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 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 news and tips available on the Stress and Pregnancy blog. Also, check out this concise, informative video about stress and pregnancy to be better informed. Knowledge is strength!
No comments:
Post a Comment