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What is Mental Health?
Even though pregnancy is often depicted as the happiest period of a person’s life, it’s not always perfect. There are struggles that one might face as it’s only normal to worry about whether the pregnancy will go smoothly, what kind of parent they will be, and if their finances will be able to bear it all. That being said, for the baby and parents to be happy and healthy, it’s important to think about the mental well-being of the parents-to-be. Here are some useful ways to boost mental health during pregnancy.
Eat a Balanced Diet
For starters, it’s crucial to eat well in order to maintain your mental health. It’s easy to overlook food when you’re busy with your household, work, and various errands. That being said, you must remember to eat regularly as it will fuel your body. Seeing as how a poor diet might worsen conditions like anxiety and depression as well as affect your mood, you need to plan your meals properly. Of course, it’s important that you’re aware of what you’re allowed to eat during pregnancy and what you should avoid.
Keep up with your vitamins
Besides a healthy diet, it’s also essential to take all the prenatal vitamins that your doctor has prescribed. These typically include folic acid, which is good for boosting mood. Then, other useful vitamins are iron, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids, as they both protect your mood and the little one.
Get plenty of physical activity
Something else that should not be neglected is physical activity. While pushing too hard is not good, being completely sedentary is also not recommended. There are various ways how you can exercise while pregnant, so pick whatever suits you most. For example, fast walking, cycling, swimming, and weightlifting are all great alternatives. About two and a half hours a week should be enough.
Give prenatal yoga a try
If you’re looking for a way to stay active, you can also think about prenatal yoga. It’s been proven that it can boost mood, improve sleep, and lower anxiety. Ask your doctor if you’re okay to do this and look for local classes.
Make sure you get enough sleep
While being active is important, you also want to get enough rest and sleep. You might want to do as much as you did before you found out that you were expecting, but taking it easy is recommended. Getting at least seven hours of sleep per night will do your mental health good. If you feel tired during the day, don’t hesitate to take a nap.
Educate yourself about various conditions
It’s not uncommon for people to feel anxious about all the unknowns that come with pregnancy. For some individuals, it helps to learn more about the different conditions that might occur and how rare they actually are. For example, pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes are just some of the issues that women deal with. Plus, you can always talk to your doctor about any worries you might have.
Work on positive self-talk
If you ever start feeling down, you should try practicing some positive self-talk. Shower yourself with compliments, such as how amazing and strong your body and mind are. You are capable of handling whatever comes your way. Remember that you’re not the first person going through this.
Discuss things with your partner
In case you have a partner, it’s a good idea to work on having a space safe where you can share everything and talk about your fears. You both surely have some worries that might be causing anxiety and depression. By being there for each other, you will see that you are not alone. That being said, if you are single, you surely have other people that will be there for you and work as a support group during this crucial time of your life.
Turn to a professional for help
Finally, if you feel alone and you think there is no one you can turn to, you can also reach out to a professional. Talk to your physician and they might direct you toward a certified therapist. They have worked with many people and know how to approach different situations. If the need arises, they might even prescribe some meds to help you alleviate the symptoms.
Mental health is something that should never be disregarded. If you’re pregnant, keep these pieces of advice in mind whenever you feel down.
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