You’re in the middle of what should be one of the most happy times of your life, and yet you’re probably sleep-deprived, uncomfortable, and waddling just a little slower than you’d like.
You probably already know the basic pregnancy rules like eating healthy, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol and caffeine. Your baby is fed by your body for now, so creating a healthy source of nutrition for your little one starts with what you consume.
But what about nourishing yourself?
Even if you’re ecstatic about your baby on the way, chances are you feel short on time and money to take good care of yourself and create the relaxing pregnancy that you dream of. Many families tighten up their finances in preparation for their little bundle’s arrival, and this can leave you feeling guilty for “splurging” on things that help you alleviate your stress and soreness.
Fortunately, you don’t need a lot of cash to prioritize self-care during your pregnancy.
Self-care takes just a bit of creativity when you’re on a tight budget, so here’s a list of 4 creative ways to take care of yourself that you might not expect:
Prenatal Yoga You Can Afford
Can’t afford a prenatal yoga class to stretch your stress away? Try downloading a prenatal yoga video (YouTube can be a great source of free videos!) or buying a DVD that you can follow along in the comfort of your own home. Bonus Points: You can actually fall asleep at the end of the class like we all wish we could in the yoga studio!
Therapeutic Massage on the Cheap
Would you love a massage for that pesky pregnancy low-back pain, but think it’s too expensive? Try discounted student massage at a clinic housed in a massage school. This is similar to a discounted hair cut or color at a beauty school. Schools usually only assign students that are trained in prenatal massage to work on expecting mothers, but you can always request a prenatal-trained student when you book the massage to be sure.
You get a lower-priced relaxation massage while helping a student perfect their technique. It’s a win-win! Use Yelp or Google to find a massage school near you that has an in-house clinic.
Guided Meditation for Better Sleep
Guided meditation can help with relaxation, and who wouldn’t like to be a relaxation expert when it comes time to go through labor? But even if you can find a guided meditation class in your area, it might not fit into your baby-prep budget.
One solution is to download an app to your smartphone that will provide the meditation for you, then all you need to do is find a quiet room to meditate in! You can even use it right before bed to help lull you to sleep. Try a meditation app like Calm and find your zen wherever you are.
Stay Fit in Nature
Can’t afford a gym membership but want to stay fit during your pregnancy? Get outside!
Low-impact, sustained activities like hiking and walking can be done throughout your pregnancy, as long as you get the green light from your health care provider. Moving in nature doesn’t cost you a dime, and it just might tire you out enough to make that notoriously fleeting deep sleep during your pregnancy easier to come by!
Now that you’re equipped with these tools for self-care on a budget, take action!
Take care of your needs with these creative ideas, nourishing yourself—and your baby!—during this beautiful time in your life.