Ways to Survive Stress in Pregnancy
Having a baby is a life changing event, and getting stressed at some time or the other during pregnancy is totally natural. After all you have the responsibility of bringing a new life into the world. There’s so much to consider, important decisions to make. However, over burdening your mind is not good for the baby as well as the expecting baby.
Stress and anxiety can hamper the baby’s growth in the womb. It can create complications in the pregnancy; a study in Columbia had marked out a relation between stress and shorter pregnancies. Stress can aggravate mood swings for the pregnant lady, and can affect her physical and mental well being too.
So, how to beat stress during pregnancy? The answer is in your food. There are many foods for stress relief that you can incorporate. Here are a few suggestions –
1. Include protein rich food, as they will help in muscle and cell development of the baby. Also protein rich diet will keep the mother energized and reduce the stress often induced by tired and inactive mind.
2. Include foods containing omega-3 fatty acids as they are mood uplifting as they inhibit the increase of stress hormones.
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3. During pregnancy, it is best to avoid having sea food. However, fish like tuna and salmon have omega 3 fatty acids in them, and therefore are most often a part of healthy pregnancy diet meal plans.
4. There are more food cravings during pregnancy than any other time. You may indulge yourself at times, but moderately. High sugar items can create hormonal imbalance and up your stress level. Also high salted foods, rich in sodium aggravate stress levels.
5. If your doctor has prescribed you calcium pills and so you do not feel the need to drink milk. Think again. A glass of lukewarm milk at night can help soothe your nerves, helps get past anxiety and have a good night’s sleep.
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6. Water is truly a wonder liquid.It helps battle almost every health issue to an extent.It is therefore suggested to pregnant women to keep themselves hydrated. This would help maintain the body temperature and keep you calm.
7. Whole wheat grains are rich in magnesium, which is a great stress buster. So include brown rice, whole wheat bread, pasta etc. In your diet to beat stress during pregnancy.
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8. Vitamin C rich foods are among the most recommended foods that relieve stress and depression. So pregnant women are advised to have them a plenty.
Last but not the least, if you are expecting and a little overwhelmed, please don’t take more stress thinking about having the stress. That’s the worse thing you could do to yourself. Understand that it is natural to have a little anxiety, and you will sail through.
