“Pregnancy doesn’t have to be stressful; you deserve joy, creativity, and self-love.”
May is mental health awareness month. You may be thinking this blog is mostly about pregnancy and parenting- how does that tie into the theme? I’m glad you asked. For me, it means Mamas and Mama’s-to-be mental health matters too!
Your mental health matters just as much as your blood pressure, ultrasounds and prenatal vitamins. My desire is every mama and mom-to-be experience a beautiful pregnancy journey with limited stress.
Yes, pregnancy is an incredible journey, but let’s be honest — it can also be overwhelming. Welcoming a new life brings excitement. As your body goes through physical changes, it is normal to feel mix emotions, which can include heighten stress. The good thing is pregnancy doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, even during this transformational time, your pregnancy can be beautiful. It can be enjoyed and filled with moments of self-love and affirmations.
In this blog post, I want to show you ways you can reduce your stress. Learn how to embrace creativity, practice self-care throughout your pregnancy, and focus on your mental well-being. . After all, you deserve to feel calm, happy, and empowered as you navigate this life-changing experience.
1. Embrace the Power of Creativity
Pregnancy is a time when your body and emotions are constantly shifting. It can often cause you to feel overwhelmed and disconnected from yourself and your baby.
One method to ground yourself and reduce stress is through creativity. Finding opportunities to engage in opportunities that allow you to escape the everyday, focus on calmness and nurture yourself.
I recommend coloring. Coloring books are not just for kids. Studies show that mandala coloring is effective in reducing pregnancy-related anxiety (Kirca,A., Dagli,E.,2024). Coloring allows you to focus on the stroke of the crayon or marker and the change you are making. It slows your thoughts and cause you to be present in the moment. Coloring can be a source of joy and peace.
Coloring also encourages mindfulness, which has been shown to reduce anxiety and improve emotional well-being. So grab a coloring book, some colored pencils, and take a moment to connect with your inner artist — and with the joy of expecting a little one!
2. Practice Pregnancy Self-Care
Self-care is important during pregnancy. It’s easy to become so consumed with the what ifs and I should do in addition to often working full time, taking care of family and navigating pregnancy symptoms, that taking care of self goes to the bottom of the list.
Here are a few sugesstions to practice self-care:
- Say No: Give yourself grace. You don’t have to take on every project and do all the things. Give yourself permission to only do what you can do easily, physically, mentally and emotionally.
- Take time for yourself: Whether it’s a quiet moment with a cup of tea, a soothing bath, or a walk in nature, make sure to carve out time to recharge.
- Celebrate your body: Your body is doing an amazing thing, so take time to appreciate it. Whether it’s through gentle stretching, a relaxing massage, or simply admiring the changes in the mirror, honoring your body is an important aspect of self-care. Celebrate with maternity photos to capture this moment in time.
- Write affirmations: Positive affirmations can help you stay focused on the joy of pregnancy. Affirmations like “I am strong,” “I trust my body,” and “I deserve joy and peace” can remind you of your inner strength and power.
- Prenatal Care: Self-care is not just taking care of your mental health. You also want to focus on the health and you and your baby. Schedule your prenatal appointments regularly, write a list of all concerns-big and small to discuss with your provider.
- Speak Up: Whether it’s with your OB, midwife, family members, therapist or friends-talking about your feelings can be powerful and healing.
By actively practicing self-care, you’re creating an environment where you can enjoy your pregnancy to its fullest and feel empowered throughout the journey.
3. Surround Yourself with Joyful Energy
Your mental and emotional well-being directly impacts your physical health and the well-being of your baby. Surrounding yourself with positivity and joyful energy is essential to reducing stress and fostering a calm, happy pregnancy.
Here are a few ways to bring more joy into your pregnancy:
- Engage in activities that make you happy: Whether it’s listening to your favorite music, watching light-hearted movies, or spending time with loved ones, make sure to fill your days with things that bring you joy.
- Connect with other expecting moms: Having a supportive community is essential. Join online groups or local prenatal classes where you can share your experiences and bond with others going through the same journey.
- Practice gratitude: Pregnancy is a time of transformation, and focusing on the positive aspects can make a huge difference. Take a moment each day to reflect on what you’re grateful for. Whether it’s the little kicks from your baby or the love you feel for your growing family, expressing gratitude can shift your mindset toward joy.
4. Finding Balance Between Rest and Activity– It’s okay to not feel okay
Pregnancy isn’t a time to push yourself too hard, but it also isn’t a time to completely disengage from life. Finding balance between rest and activity is key to reducing stress and maintaining overall well-being.
You can love your baby deeply and love your self completely and still struggle emotionally. That does not make you a ‘bad’ mom, it makes you human.
Make sure to listen to your body — rest when you need it but also make space for light physical activities that make you feel good, like gentle yoga, walking, or stretching. These activities help reduce tension, promote circulation, and boost your mood.
Prioritize rest and boundaries. Take time to rest and relax . You don’t have to attend every event, explain every decision or justify how you decide to care for yourself. Rest, relaxation and saying no is just as important as staying active. A balanced approach to physical and mental care will keep you feeling energized, calm, and focused on the joy of your pregnancy.
5. Let Go of Perfection and Embrace the Journey
One of the most important things to remember during pregnancy is that it’s not about perfection — it’s about the journey. Letting go of unrealistic expectations and embracing your pregnancy as it is can relieve a lot of unnecessary stress.
Your pregnancy may not look like what you expected or what others tell you it should be, but that’s okay. Embrace every moment — even the challenging ones — because each experience is a unique part of your story.
Allow yourself the freedom to feel however you’re feeling. It’s normal to have days when you feel tired, emotional, or anxious, and that’s part of being human. Show yourself compassion and remember that you’re doing an amazing job.
Conclusion: You Deserve Peace, Joy, and Self-Love
Pregnancy doesn’t have to be stressful. You can create a peaceful, joyful experience filled with creativity, relaxation, and self-love. By embracing the power of creativity, practicing self-love, surrounding yourself with positive energy, finding balance, and letting go of perfection, you can experience the beauty of pregnancy in a calm, empowered way.
You deserve to enjoy this time, to feel at peace with your body and mind, and to celebrate the incredible journey of bringing new life into the world. So take a moment each day to nurture yourself, color your way to relaxation, and remember that your pregnancy is meant to be filled with love, joy, and creativity. You’ve got this, mama!
Feeling inspired to start your journey of creativity and relaxation? Discover our adult-positive pregnancy coloring book designed to help you unwind, embrace joy, and experience self-care throughout your pregnancy.
Link to purchase–>🌸💖https://a.co/d/7k8NYib
Comment Below- I want to hear what helps you stay relaxed and keep the stress down during your pregnancy journey.
Stay In Touch
email: taapadventures@gmail.com
Remember always, You Are Amazing!
Dr. Echols, DNP – a doctor nurse providing the tools and resources for an Amazing Pregnancy & Parenting Experience
References
- The effect of mandala coloring on pregnancy-related anxietyŞolt Kırca, Ayça et al.European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Volume 292, 251 – 258
The Amazing Adventures of Pregnancy 