Women are designed to handle the physical and emotional rigors of pregnancy, but that doesn't mean it's easy. The process of growing another human being demands an incredible amount of biological resources and is therefore very taxing. It's important to get plenty of rest and relaxation during this time so that you and your baby stay healthy. Here are some tips to help you relax your body during pregnancy.
Get a Body Pillow
As your pregnancy progresses, you'll likely start finding it difficult assume a comfortable sleeping position. Parts that are now considerably larger than they used to be can interfere with your ability to avoid waking up sore and unrefreshed each morning. For this reason, many women opt to use a body-length pillow for support of your arms and legs during sleep.
Get a Comfy Chair
Having someplace comfortable to relax at the end of the day can go a long way toward making your pregnancy easier. You may want to consider getting a comfortable new chair from one of the many furniture stores St. Louis has available. Make sure that it provides ample back support and the ability to put your feet up. If it leans back, all the better. Find out what kind of good furniture you can get by checking out some furniture stores st louis or in your local area.
Pamper Yourself
Considering all of the hard work you're doing, spoiling yourself now and again can help take away some of the strain. When you're feeling over-burdened, take some time out for just you. Go shopping for baby things, spend the day out with friends, go out to eat or just laze about the house and indulge those pregnancy cravings. Pampering yourself with special treats can boost your mood and make you feel calmer.
Massage
There's no better way to relax your body during pregnancy than to get a massage. Massage loosens and soothes tight, tired muscles, and it has even been proven to help alleviate aches and pains associated with pregnancy. It's best to visit a therapist who specializes in pregnancy massage, because some techniques are not appropriate for use on pregnant women.
Eat Healthy
Eating properly is the cornerstone to a healthy, happy pregnancy. Your body is using up a lot of extra nutrients during this time, so make sure that every meal counts. Prepare most of your meals from scratch using fresh, wholesome ingredients, and don't skimp on the fruit, veggies and protein or fat. Try not to skip meals, either. Keep in mind, however, that "eating for two" only adds up to about 300 additional calories each day, not enough for another grown woman. Over-eating is never healthy and also causes bloating and constipation.
Yoga
The nice thing about yoga is that everyone can do it regardless of pregnancy or fitness level. Yoga helps you learn to better control stress, improves your flexibility and can even alleviate achy and swollen joints. Though there are a great many yoga poses that pregnant women can perform, not all of them are suitable. To find a yoga class designed specifically for pregnant women, contact your local community fitness center.