Pregnancy is amazing. This is the most exciting and rewarding process, but it can also be one of the most challenging things a woman will experience. Of course, a lot of attention will be on the health of the baby, but it’s vital that expectant mothers prioritise and look after themselves too… It’s time to relax!
Many women struggle to make time for themselves during pregnancy as they’re inevitably busy nesting, getting everything ready for their new arrival. However, pregnancy puts your body under a lot of strain so it’s important to take a step back from the fast pace of modern life, embracing a more tranquil few months.
Tahnee Knowles, a hypnobirthing expert knows how important it is for expectant mothers to relax during their pregnancy. She has founded founder of Bump and Mind, a hypnobirthing and pregnancy wellness retreats in the Isle of Wight. Here she shares her five top tips that Tahnee uses on the retreats, and recommends for relaxing and reconnecting with yourself during pregnancy, to help you enjoy a blissful nine months:
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Keep exercising.
It’s no secret that the correlation between exercise and stress release is strong; this is a crucial element to your lifestyle if you hope to stay relaxed throughout pregnancy. A simple 30 minute walk every other day to keep you moving is more than enough. Swimming in particular is great for late pregnancy as it gives the feeling of weightlessness. Exercise allows you to clear your head, giving you some much-needed fresh air and a quiet time to relax.
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Hypnobirthing
Hypnobirthing is a great way to manage pain naturally and deal with anxiety levels during the labour. Practicing different deep breathing and visualization techniques can really prepare you and calm your nerves for giving birth. This method has helped benefit so many expectant mothers relax and stay mindful during the birthing process but is also great throughout pregnancy too.
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Make time for yourself.
Making time for yourself and taking care of your thoughts is vital during a stage in your life like this. There are a number of ways we can be with ourselves, enjoying our own company, one of which being a retreat. ‘Bump and Mind’ organise trips away to keep your wellness in check; with a three night stay in luxury accommodation, these retreats are designed with relaxation at their heart and we love to welcome mummies to be for some much deserved ‘me time’.
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Meet with others.
There’s no better way to relax than meeting with people who are in the same situation as you. Not only does this give you the chance to meet new friends and learn about their experiences, it helps you to feel relaxed in a fun, refreshing environment. Surround yourself with others who can share their advice; you never know, you could make some friends for life.
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Meditate.
As with exercise, there’s been a proven relationship between meditation and relaxation. This is a fantastic hobby to enjoy for it allows you to truly focus on yourself. Doing these exercises will help you to stretch out, whilst clearing your mind of any stress. It’s a great way to connect with your bump and take some time to talk to the baby.
For more information about Bump & Mind visit: bumpandmindretreats.co.uk