Tips for Managing Holiday Stress during Pregnancy

December 15, 2014

The holidays are a special time of year when decorating, shopping, parties, family, and travel fill your days. Despite the excitement in the air, stress levels can soar. And it can be especially stressful when you’re pregnant or recently new to motherhood. Many women don’t realize how much stress they may be under and what negative effects excessive stress can do their bodies (and their babies).

This year, don’t fall victim to the stress of the holidays. Check out the tips we’ve compiled to help take some of that stress off you and your baby.

Plan Ahead & Double Your Time Allocations

Whether you want time to freeze so you can make your flight, or need just one more day to find that perfect present for Aunt Martha, we just can’t control time. No matter how hard we try to turn back the clock, the holidays are here and those deadlines are looming. The inability to control a situation can cause stress. Try making a schedule to map out your to-do list in the time you have available. But be sure to give yourself some wiggle room on each task. If you think you’ll need an hour to pack for your trip to the in-laws, give yourself two.

You Can’t Please Everyone. Mom & Baby Are Priority #1

The holidays are a time of giving. But when you’re pregnant you’re entitled to be a little selfish. Between the office parties, holiday dinners with friends and trips to see family, your calendar can fill up quickly. If you’re starting to get overwhelmed or feel your energy levels depleting, it’s OK to turn down an invitation. Getting proper rest and nutrition for you and your baby is the most important thing during a pregnancy.

Exercise Daily

Exercise is a great stress reducer for everyone, and that’s still the case during pregnancy. Taking a 20-30 minute walk can really help clear you head. Every pregnancy is different, so we recommend talking with your doctor for specific exercise recommendations before beginning any exercise routine.

Keep Nutrition in Mind

As our schedules start to stack up it’s easy to get your meals out of whack. What we eat and drink has a huge impact on our bodies and how we handle stress. You may already be accustomed to stashing snacks in your purse to help curb cravings. But keep in mind the types of snacks you’re packing and make sure they are healthy and not loaded with sugars or carbs. Set a reminder on your phone to eat meals and snacks at certain times so you don’t forget. In addition to proper nutrition, prenatal vitamins are an excellent way to ensure you’re getting the vitamins and minerals you and your baby need.

Ask for Help. We All Need It.

Your spouse, significant other, close friend and family members are all great resources to help you keep your stress levels low. Just ask. You may not realize how much stress you’re under. They can act as a buffer or help you identify stressful situations.

It may not be realistic to implement all of these changes this holiday. But try committing to at least one and see what an impact you feel. Not only will these tips come in handy during the holidays, but implementing them year-round may help reduce your stress the other 11 months out of the year.

Happy Holidays!

Prenate^® Vitamin Family
This post is brought to you by the Prenate^® Vitamin Family, a line of prescription prenatal supplements designed to enhance preconception, prenatal, and postpartum nutrition in women. Talk with your doctor about how taking a daily prescription prenatal or postnatal vitamin could help support a healthy pregnancy and postpartum wellness.