Top Tips for Relaxing During Pregnancy

Breathing
Developing your breath awareness will benefit you and the baby during pregnancy and help you during the birth. Practice breathing deeply and rhythmically. This can ease muscle tension, lower your heart rate, and help you fall asleep faster. Take in a deep breath and breathe out as slow as you can. Repeat this exercise a few times.

Massage
Massage is a wonderful way to relieve stress and muscle tiredness during pregnancy. Gentle massage techniques can reduce the pain and increase your mobility. Ask your partner or a friend to give you a foot, hand or neck massage before bed. Or treat yourself to a professional massage, making sure the masseuse is a pregnancy specialist.

Yoga and stretching
Yoga & stretching are great ways to give the body a relaxing treat, whilst keeping you toned and flexible. Many gyms and health clubs offer yoga and stretch classes and some are designed specifically for pregnant women. You may like to create your own stretching routine with simple moves for your neck and shoulders, back, waist, and legs. Do what feels good, as any simple stretch will bring relaxation to the muscles.

15 minutes deep relaxation a day
Give yourself 15 minutes everyday, where you turn off the TV and telephone and rest completely. This is a great way to re-charge and bring rest, yet energy to the whole body. Lie down on the floor or bed and allow yourself to relax. Starting with your feet, tense and relax your toes tightly and then relax them. Squeeze your legs tightly and then let them go completely. Tense your arms against your body and then allow them to relax completely. Squeeze your shoulders up to your ears and relax them deeply. Tense the muscles in your face and then relax. Stay there still and allow your whole body to relax deeply.

Classical Music
Relaxing to classical music such as Mozart is the perfect way to help you and your baby relax. Classical music can activate the alpha brainwaves, which help get you into a state of deep inner calm and contentment. Sit or lie down and as you listen to the music, feel as if your whole body is relaxing and sinking into the bed or chair.

Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a wonderful way to help lift your mood during pregnancy. Not all essential oils are safe during pregnancy. Rose oil is a great relaxant, whilst lavender, neroli and nutmeg are deeply calming. Geranium is great to boost your circulation. Use a few drops in almond oil. Oils may be used in the bath, shower, a diffuser or with a massage. Sprinkling a couple of drops of lavender on your pillow may help you get to sleep.

Visualisation
Visualisation is a great way to help you relax. When you have a few moments spare, picture yourself in a quiet, relaxing scene. This might be lying on a warm sandy beach or walking through a rain forest or sitting under a shady tree or by a quiet river bed. Allow your imagination to go into the detail of the scene and include the sounds, smells, tastes, and textures around you. This may take some practice, but keep trying. Once you master this technique you can use your imagination to calm your anxious or restless mind. You might like to try listening to Relax Kids Nature CD and imagine you are in beautiful nature settings. It is great for adults as well as children and a great way to start your baby relaxing.