When you are pregnant, your body goes through many changes. Due to hormonal changes specifically, you may experience severe anxiety during this period. But you are not alone.
In fact, more than 1 in 10 pregnant women actually experience anxiety at some point in their pregnancy. The challenge is to find natural remedies for it.
Incidentally, supermodel and new mum Gigi Hadid was not exempt from this mood condition either.
In her recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar, she revealed that she suffered from anxiety during her pregnancy and was often left wondering if she would be a “good enough mum.”
Having gone through it, Gigi has finally decided to share how she overcame it and the effective methods she used.
Natural Remedies For Anxiety During Pregnancy: Gigi’s Way
Image courtesy: Instagram/ Gigi Hadid
She maintained two journals
To deal with her anxieties, Hadid maintained two separate journals.
She called one the “good journal” and the other, the “bad journal.” With the help of the “good journal,” she was able to document her plans of creating “memories” for Khai to treasure when she gets older.
The latter was about her feelings of anxiety and worry, which she experienced during her pregnancy.
Hadid shared that maintaining two journals helped her separate her thoughts. She also shared that she may even pass on the “bad journal” to her daughter, to be “real about it.”
Hadid was further quoted as saying, “I write on the back of receipts and keep those in a notebook. I’m not particular about it, and my journals are everywhere around the house. I just pick up whichever one is closest to me and write.”
For the uninitiated, the supermodel mum gave birth to her daughter at the peak of the coronavirus pandemic last year.
She kept herself engaged
Image courtesy: Instagram/ Gigi Hadid
Hadid spent a lot of time at the farm engaging in activities that kept her happy. For instance, indulging in watercolours, sculpting, flower arrangements and also cooking.
The farm has always been a special place for her so no wonder she chose to spend most of her pregnancy there.
Not only did she have Zayn in their private residence, but she was also accompanied by her sister, Bella Hadid, brother and his girlfriend, and of course, her mum Yolanda.
The family came together for dinners and the farm seemed to be a special place for everyone to come and just be themselves.
While Gigi had her share of doubts about how she would fare as a mum, she did things that made her happy. This helped her work through her feelings during pregnancy.
Unfortunately, like Hadid, many women struggle daily to cope with anxiety during their pregnancy. But why does it happen and what can you do about it? We take you through the process.
What Causes Anxiety During Pregnancy?
Image courtesy: iStock
Hormonal changes during pregnancy may affect the chemicals in your brain and this may cause anxiety. It is natural for you to be anxious about this journey.
Especially so, if you are a new mum or if you have had previous experiences of miscarriage or any other complications.
But it is important to seek medical help because your anxiety can also affect your baby’s health.
Here are some of the symptoms of anxiety:
- When you are finding it difficult to concentrate
- Feeling irritated and agitated easily
- Suffering from sleep problem
- Taking excess stress
You need to identify the symptoms because these bouts of anxiety can easily turn into panic attacks and look something like this:
- Experiencing a feeling that you cannot breathe.
- Feeling and imaging that you’re turning crazy.
- Always under the impression that something awful will happen.
5 Natural Remedies To Treat Anxiety During Pregnancy
If you have a mild case of anxiety, you won’t require any specific treatment. However, if the symptoms are severe, medication may be required.
Here are quick tips to help you cope with anxiety during pregnancy.
Open up…talk about what is bothering you
If you are feeling anxious during your pregnancy, it is important to share it with somebody. It can be anyone, your partner, a close friend or a family member, they may be able to offer some support to you.
Your doctor can also refer you to a therapist, who is more qualified to help you deal with your anxiety. But it is important to let out what may be disturbing you.
Engage in activities that can help you destress
Engage in activities that will help you lower your stress levels. For instance, go for a walk early in the morning.
You can also do yoga to calm your mind and your body. During pregnancy, you may feel low in energy, but remember even aerobic activity for even five minutes can reap the benefit.
Remember to always consult your doctor before you start any new exercise routine during pregnancy.
Get enough sleep
It is very important to rest your body well during pregnancy. We understand that this may not always be possible. But plan your day well, so that you are able to squeeze in at least 8 hours of sleep everyday.
Journal your journey
There can be times when you may not feel like sharing your feelings with others. If that’s you, then take out a pen and start penning your thoughts in a journal form.
This is the one of the best natural remedies for anxiety during pregnancy and of course a great way to let out your feelings without the fear of being judged.
Seek medical help
Despite applying all the above, you may still feel down and continue to get anxiety attacks. In this case, you need to consult your doctor at the earliest.
If required, they can recommend medicines to help you feel better and recover faster.
Don’t be embarrassed to share your thoughts with others, especially if they are important to you. Take good care of yourself and most importantly your mind for a healthy and happy pregnancy.
News source: Harpers Bazaar
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