You’ve probably already figured it out, but we’ll say once again that mood swings are quite common during pregnancy. The majority of pregnant women experience them on a daily basis, but you should know that feeling down or anxious all the time doesn’t count as a mood swing. That’s a sign of something deeper going on, so stay with us if you want to learn how to achieve both mental and physical stability during pregnancy. Here’s everything you need to know about this topic, so keep on reading and check it out!
How can pregnancy affect your well-being and mental health?
Millions of ladies will agree that being pregnant is one of the most beautiful periods in life, when a new life is growing under your heart, but you know what? The truth is that this is a big life transition that can affect your mental health – and not just in a positive way. Even though having worries and fears about what’s coming is completely normal when you’re pregnant, there are a lot of women who fear too much, which can completely mess up their overall well-being and result in mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, these two are the most common issues among pregnant ladies. Worrying that you won’t be a good mom, dealing with stress at work, and thinking about bad things that might happen are the biggest triggers, so make sure to identify them in time if you constantly feel depressed or anxious. Remember that anyone can have a mental health condition – it’s nothing to be ashamed about, so ask for help immediately and do something good for yourself.
What are the most common mental health problems during pregnancy?
As already mentioned, depression and anxiety are the most common mental health problems a lot of women deal with during pregnancy. Bipolar disorder is there, too – it’s less common than the previous two, but it still happens. Contrary to what many people think, postpartum depression isn’t the only type of depression that affects women. There’s also prenatal depression accompanied by feelings of anxiety, worry, and sadness, and some experts even say that it may be the most severe form of maternal depression. When it comes to the likelihood of developing such mental health issues during pregnancy, there are certain factors you should take into consideration. Some of them are a family history of mental health issues, going through a hard time at home or at work, feeling that you don’t have enough support, problems with alcohol or drugs, and many others. As for the last one mentioned, substance use disorders are actually much more common during pregnancy that people realize. If you need a specialized recovery program that provides supportive and confidential treatment, all you have to do is to look for rehab for pregnant women and make your and your baby’s health your top priority.
Is it okay to stay physically active during pregnancy?
No matter if you love intense workouts a few times a week or you exercise every once in a while, you must know that physical activity is extremely important during pregnancy. Of course, we aren’t saying that you should lift heavy weights and run a marathon – not at all, but you should embrace moderate, low-intensity workouts instead. These include activities such as walking, low-impact aerobics, and swimming two to three times a week. Even dancing is a great option, so sign up for Zumba classes and sweat it out on a dance floor. Around 3 hours of exercising every week will be more than enough to keep your fitness levels high. However, if you’re out of shape, you should gradually increase your activity levels and build them up to the recommended 3 hours a week. Needless to say, this amount should be reduced as your pregnancy develops, as well as the intensity and the length of your sweat sessions. If you aren’t really sure how to establish an effective workout routine, you can always ask both your doctor and your personal trainer about exercises that will suit your needs in the best possible way.
As you can tell, achieving a balance between physical and mental health during pregnancy doesn’t have to be as challenging as you probably thought. The most important thing is that you feel good in your skin and embrace the changes gradually, so that you can successfully adapt to them. Of course, if you notice any symptom of the aforementioned mental health issues, make sure to seek help right away. Remember that there’s nothing bad or embarrassing about seeing a psychologist or a psychotherapist, so bear that in mind, work out regularly, and enjoy your pregnancy!
