When pregnant it is easy to become so preoccupied with looking after your bump that you can forget to look after yourself. What we eat, how we behave, where we go and what we think becomes consumed by our impending arrival and looking after our mental health can take a back seat.

 

However, now it is even more important you look after your head – for both you and your baby.

 

Eat a healthy diet

Eating a healthy diet is important not just to help with your baby’s development but also for you. Make sure you consume a mix of essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates; up your fruit and vegetable intake and put away the crisps, chocolates and takeaways.  

 

Make time for you

Make space in your week where you spend time doing something that you love. Whether it’s reading a book in a quiet corner, relaxing in front of the TV, going for a walk or a gentle run or spending time with your family and friends do something that will help you relax and feel happy.

 

Get as much sleep as possible

You are going to be feeling exhausted, especially during the first and third trimester, so try to get as much sleep as possible. While we know this can be difficult at the best of times and even more so if you have other children to look after, try to head to bed 30 minutes earlier, take up offers of help and, if you can, cut down on some of your commitments.

 

Be open and honest with your feelings

Hiding your feelings will only cause them to manifest as you lose sense of perspective, so be open and honest as much as possible. If you are worried or scared about what the future holds talk to someone - keeping it bottled up is not helping you or your baby. Remember, a problem shared is a problem halved.

 

Exercise

Exercising not only helps your body release the feel-good endorphins, it also helps you de-stress and interact with others all of which will have a positive effect on your mental health. There are plenty of exercises expectant mothers can do in their first, second and third trimester such as walking, swimming and prenatal yoga

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