Tips to Reduce Stress

 

For many women, pregnancy adds to an already stressful life.  Learning to cope with stress can help during pregnancy and also later when dealing with the baby adds another whole layer of stress.  And learning alternative ways to cope with stress will make it easier to make needed changes like quitting smoking or drinking, which are the ways many women cope with the stress of everyday life.  Here are a few things you can try on your own. 

 

Tips for reducing stress

 

  1. Do a relaxation technique daily (meditation or even a few moments of deep breathing in a quiet place).
  2. Improve your time management skills --use a day planner to help organize your time so that you can get things done without always feeling rushed.
  3. Set realistic goals for yourself – you don’t need to be SuperWoman.  When you set goals that you can achieve, the sense of accomplishment will really ease the stress.
  4. Focus on the things that you can control and if you can solve a problem- solve it!
  5. Eat healthy – avoid sugar and starches, which cause an energy surge and crash
  6. Exercise at least 3 times per week – it may seem hard at first, but you will find that you actually have more energy and a greater sense of well-being after working up a sweat.

 

If you need more help, call one of the programs listed in Support Programs for Pregnant Women.

 

 

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