Pregnancy can be a very intense experience, from the constant cravings and mood swings to the physical changes in your body and the often uncomfortable symptoms like morning sickness, heartburn (oh, the heartburn), and water retention. You are working hard to grow a healthy baby, so why not take some time each day to relax and pamper yourself. There are many ways that you can build something special “just for you” into your day. Here are a few ideas.
If your feet are tired, sore, and swollen, a warm soak followed by some rich and creamy foot lotion can help them to feel so much better. If you live near a lake or the ocean, why not take a walk on the sand down by the water for a combination of exercise and a foot massage complete with a natural “exfoliating treatment”.
Treat yourself to a prenatal massage from a trained practitioner or attend a pregnancy yoga class. These treats will help you to renew your body, mind, and spirit. If you are in the mood to shop, be sure to leave some room in your budget for yourself (trust me, your baby will soon have plenty of clothes from just about everybody that you know). Spice up your hard working wardrobe of basic, mix and match maternity pieces with some new accessories like cheerful scarves, fun earrings, or a nice, new bag.
Taking time to sit down with a cup of something yummy and a good read is a great way to unwind. Enjoy a cup of herbal tea (check the label to make sure that your brew of choice is safe to enjoy during pregnancy) or if it’s hot outside, why not brew a bunch of your favorite herbal tea and enjoy it iced. As for the reading material, why not read something fun. I am totally guilty of not doing this during my pregnancies and I wish that I had. I read a ton of books, but they were all pregnancy – related. I enjoyed reading them, but I also love reading other kinds of things and have not had much time to do so since my first son was born.
These are just a few ways that you can pamper yourself during pregnancy. What are your favorites?
Photo by krosseel on morguefile.com.