Covid, Pregnancy and Anxiety
If you are pregnant the rise in cases can bring on a flood of feelings and anxiety.
As we witness a spike in covid cases again it’s a good reminder that while we enter year two of the pandemic, we are still very much in the thick of it. If you are pregnant taking the necessary precautions are especially important given your weakened immune state. Moreover, if you are pregnant the rise in cases can bring on a flood of feelings and anxiety. Pregnancy has us already dealing with heightened emotions due to a number of factors including new hormones surging through our body. It’s also natural to feel anxiety as you enter this new phase in your life. Throw in a worldwide pandemic and life can feel downright overwhelming. Luckily there are tools available to us to help navigate these times.
Here are some ways to cope with your anxieties:
1.) First step is recognizing your feelings, if you start to feel off or anxious say to yourself, “I’m feeling anxious” then ask yourself why. Is it the news? Do you know someone with covid? Take your emotional temperature and get to the root of your feelings so you can combat them. Being able to name your emotions helps you not be overwhelmed by them, which leads us to our next coping method…
2.) Journal. Write down how you are feeling. Not only can journaling be used as a calming mechanism but it can also help clear the mind. This may even lead to finding solutions to your anxieties.
3.) Move. Engaging in consistent exercise, whether that is a walk or a virtual pilates class, has been proven to reduce or help manage anxiety and depression. Find what form of movement works best for you and devote a small portion of your day to moving. Of course, not all exercise is approved during pregnancy, always consult with your doctor if you are ever unsure.
4.) Sleep. Make sure you are getting an adequate amount of rest. This is always easier said then done, who doesn’t want to get the right amount of sleep? But research has shown time and time again just how important sleep is for the brain. If you are struggling to get some peaceful rest consider these tips.
5.) Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of anchoring yourself in the present moment, it teaches you to observe your thoughts and let them pass without judgement. Research shows that practicing mindfulness can reduce anxiety and depression among several other health benefits. If you are new to meditation, there are a number of apps that can guide you through the practice of meditation and mindfulness, two popular ones are Headspace and Calm.
6.) Get help. If nothing seems to be working reach out to your doctor and let them know, they may suggest a therapist or other methods.
Anxiety during pregnancy is quite common, pandemic or not. Just remember you do not need to sit alone with these feelings, there are resources out there.