This morning I woke up thinking about all the stress and anxiety an expecting mother must be feeling at the moment– especially with so much going on in the world.
My heart also goes out to couples who are trying to conceive a child in the middle of this COVID-19 (and social justice) crisis. I saw a few memes about “Corona babies” online– nothing could be less funny.
All of the emotions a woman feels during pregnancy can be directly transmitted to her unborn child. Right now, those emotions are additionally impacted by anxiety, fear, and depression because of world affairs.
Here are my tips for getting past it all.
- Unplug. I know this is hard to do, but stop watching TV and looking at social media! The things that we hear and see directly affect our emotions.
- Eat blue. Blueberries have some of the highest levels of antioxidants, like anthocyanin, which means that this berry has been linked to a wide range of health benefits including sharper cognition, better focus, and a clearer mind – all of which can help you to better deal with stress.
- Cuddle! A lot. When you cuddle with someone you care about, your body releases a hormone called oxytocin that calms you and makes you more likely to deal better with stress. Don’t have someone special? It might be time to adopt a cuddly pet.