Pregnancy isn’t easy. Your body is going through many changes, you need to stay healthy and fit, but even though you’d love to curl up and sleep the whole day, you also have to keep up with the demands of real life (your job, housework, other kids). So how do you juggle the needs of your baby, you, and the other people that need you? Here are some tips for busy moms.
1. Ask for help!
Don’t try to do everything yourself! Growing a baby is a very important (and tiring) job, that lasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Talk to your boss and co-workers about deadlines, delegate what you can, and set realistic standards of what you can accomplish in one day.
2. Work with your body clock
If you can’t minimize your workload, don’t work longer—work more efficiently. Follow your body clock, and tackle harder tasks when you’re more alert. Since you tire more easily, and need to change positions often to restore circulation, work in ‘chunks of time’ that allow 10 minute breaks every hour. Break bigger projects into smaller tasks, so you can stop without losing concentration or feeling frustrated that you ‘haven’t done anything.’
3. Seek out other moms
It helps to share your feelings and dreams with your partner, family and friends—but there’s nothing like talking to other moms! They completely understand you and may even be able to share tried and tested tips from their own balancing act! You can even find online parenting communities online.
4. Stock up on funny movies and books
Laughter is the best medicine! Watching a funny movie, or reading a favorite book, can boost your immune system. Studies show that laughter boosts your immune system, by releasing cells that fight disease. Experiments on students who watched funny movies also showed they had higher concentrations of infection-fighting proteins in their saliva. See how powerful entertainment and recreation can be?
5. Learn meditation
Meditation is a popular stress management technique that combines deep breathing, visualization, and relaxing music. The best thing is you can do this anywhere, anytime!
6. Load up on B Vitamins.
These have been known to help with concentration and focus, and can help prevent hypertension.
7. Avoid excessive weight gain
Most women gain about 25 to 35 pounds: two to four pounds in the first trimester, 10 to 14 pounds in the second trimester, and 2 to 6 pounds in the last trimester. (This changes if you were underweight or overweight before you became pregnant.)
If you gain too much weight, you’ll feel sluggish and heavy. (You’re also at risk for pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia.) Your doctor can help you monitor your weight, but the best thing you can do is to follow a nutritious diet that’s packed with vitamins and minerals, not calories.
8. Exercise regularly
As mentioned in the previous chapter, exercise is great for pregnancy: it controls weight, helps prevent back pain and cramps, and prepares your body for labor. But there’s one extra bonus: it boosts your energy levels. Clear any exercise regimen with your doctor.
photo from thedailygreen.com