Anxiety in general is becoming a more common diagnosis nowadays especially among women. In general, the term anxiety is used to describe a feeling of being anxious, fearful, nervous and worried. Pregnancy is certainly a time for change, bringing on both physical challenges and hormonal changes. Add concerns about impending parenthood, other children and financial worries, it is no surprise that pregnant women find themselves on an emotional roller coaster all day.
Pregnancy seems to be the time when all past emotions and experiences come to surface. If your partner reacts negatively to your pregnancy, it may effect how you feel about yourself. For all of us, pregnancy has us thinking of how we were raised and how we envision our children to be raised as well. With my first pregnancy it was very difficult for me to accept certain ways that my childhood panned out. On the other hand, I saw so much potential hope in raising my children in a way that I saw more appealing to my values.
General Essential Oils
The general essential oils which you will see here are mostly in the citrus family. Aromatherapy blends can be very calming in diffuser blends, room sprays, roll on bottles, inhalers and baths. The citrus family seems to bring sunshine to every room. The aromas are cheery, warm and some oils can be very comforting. Here are some great oils known to calm and uplift:
- Lavender
- Chamomile
- Lemon
- Sweet Orange
- Grapefruit
- Bergamot
- Sandalwood
- Ylang ylang
- Neroli
- Tangerine
- Mandarin
In addition to using aromatherapy to help with anxiety, herbal teas can also be a great choice to encourage you to slow down. Sitting down and drinking tea can give you a great break. The act alone can decrease anxiety levels and boost your mood.
Anti-Anxiety Room Spray
20 drops Bergamot
10 drops Lavender
10 drops Ylang ylang
2 tbsp 80-proof vodka
5 oz filtered water
Add all ingredients to a spray bottle and shake well to combine. Spray around the room and shake well before each use.
Extra bonus: This blend can also be used in a massage oil or even a diffuser. For a massage oil, simply add 8 drops per 1 oz of carrier oil and mix well to combine. Bergamot is photosensitizing, so always use extra caution with exposure to the sun and use sunscreen.
General Tips
Pregnant women are somehow culturally expected to have strange cravings, have occasional outbursts and be somewhat irrational at times. But we are also somehow supposed to be joyous and have a pregnancy “glow” anticipating the birth of our child. This may cause some women to feel like they have to keep their feelings hidden and not talk about their emotions openly. Not being able to talk about things openly may cause disregarding issues that need attention.
If we look at our emotional states as “normal” then it may be harder to identify things like nutrition or other physical factors which can contribute to feelings of being on an emotional roller coaster. In addition to good nutrition, sleep and exercise are also important. Here are some general tips to help keep your body in balance.
- Avoid caffeine and sugary foods which may cause sugar crashes.
- Keep blood sugar stable with frequent meals.
- Stay hydrated.
- Accepting your feelings and acknowledge what is bothering you.
- Talk to your midwife or OB about any fears you may have about birth.
- Journal to give voice to your emotions.
- Find creative forms of expression to transform tension and clear your mind.
If you need more ways to help you stay calm and less anxious, I’ve created a FREE printout for you which includes four relaxation techniques and six aromatherapy blends that I use with my own clients for anxiety.
Click here to get your printable.
With or without medication, you can relieve anxiety by simply taking a walk, doing a favorite exercise and simple relaxing. Try to do something enjoyable every day, such as a chat with a friend or watching a funny cat video on YouTube to help keep your anxiety at bay.
Much love,
Krystina
