4 Items to Alleviate Stress, Insomnia and Anxiety During Pregnancy

An estimated 1 in 10 women experience anxiety during pregnancy. It’s natural to feel stressed and anxious. Pregnancy is a life-changing, emotional experience.

Finding healthy ways to cope with and alleviate anxiety can help you enjoy your pregnancy and all of the wonderful moments ahead. Here are four items you can use to kick stress and anxiety to the curb.

1. Herbal Tea

A hot cup of caffeine-free herbal tea is just the thing to soothe frazzled nerves, improve poor sleep and feelings of anxiety. Many relaxing herbs are safe to use (in moderation) during pregnancy, including:

· Chamomile

· Peppermint

· Lavender

Steep for about ten minutes, add a bit of honey, sip and enjoy.

The Night Owl Tea in Baboo Box’s Second Trimester Box

is perfect for calming stress and helping you relax just before bed, but you can drink this delicious tea any time of day. Baboo Box’s subscription boxes also contain other products to help with anxiety and stress during each trimester. Their open, welcoming community is yet another tool expectant parents can use to soothe any pregnancy-related worries and fears.

While herbal teas can be effective at alleviating stress and anxiety it’s important to talk to your doctor about any herbal teas you want to try, just to make sure that they’re safe for use.

2. Pulse Point Therapy

With pulse point therapy, aromatherapy oils are placed on strategic pulse points on the body, usually behind the ears, on the wrists or on the temples. The calming scent and therapeutic properties of the oils helps to restore harmony and uplifts your mood.

We like Isla Apothecary’s Reset Ritual Pulse Point Therapy roller (you can pick one up at here) because it uses a blend of chamomile, eucalyptus and lavender oils to help you relax and reset your mind. The gorgeous scent and portable roller make it easy to get the calming relief you need on the go.

3. Weighted Blanket

Sleep is even more important during pregnancy. Your body is hard at work creating life. Now, you’re sleeping for two. During the first trimester, sleep comes easily. You’re tired all the time thanks to soaring progesterone levels.

But as you reach the second and third trimesters, sleep becomes more elusive. Your little one is growing so finding a comfortable sleeping position can be really difficult. If you’re battling anxiety and stress, falling asleep and staying asleep can feel like an impossible feat.

Weighted blankets may help people with insomnia. Just as the name suggests, these blankets are weighted (usually between 5 and 30 pounds). They help with anxiety by creating deep pressure touch.

Without getting too technical, deep pressure touch helps switch the body from “fight or flight” to “rest and digest.” One study found that 63% of participants had less anxiety after using a weighted blanket. Look for blankets that are within 10% of your pre-pregnancy weight.

4. Heated Neck Wrap

Many people carry stress and tension in their necks. Tension can lead to pain, discomfort and even anxiety.

Heated neck wraps can help melt away stress and put you in a state of deep relaxation. Just pop the wrap in the microwave for the recommended time, place it around your neck, and enjoy. Some wraps are filled with calming scents, like lavender and chamomile, to put you into a deep state of relaxation.

If you’re battling stress and anxiety during your pregnancy, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to suffer in silence. These four tools can help you find relief but having a support system and setting aside time for you to relax and unwind can do wonders for your mental state.