Healthy Ways to Battle Pregnancy Fatigue
Pregnancy is exhausting! Especially in the first trimester, but let’s face it, the fatigue lasts the entire deration, especially if you have other children to tend to. You’re creating a human within yourself, using all of your internal resources, nutrients and energy. It’s a big task.
Adding to this new form of inhumane exhaustion, you’re not allowed to have caffeine. It almost seems evil. While I am not a big coffee drinker, I much prefer tea, there are some days I could truly use the boost. While none of these suggestions will ever match the rush of energy you can get from caffeine, they do help for a more natural, healthy approach to battling the overwhelming fatigue that occurs.
Open a window – A cool breeze will heighten your senses and make you more alert.
Drink some water – Hydration is key throughout pregnancy, and I find when I am dehydrated, I feel even more run down. Drinking a bunch of water will help revitalize your energy, even if it’s for a brief moment.
Go for a walk – Get some fresh air and move your body. Sitting idle, unless instructed otherwise by your medical professional, won’t help give you any more energy. While rest is also important, for a bit more energy, stay active.
Eat some fruit – Natural sugars really help in moments of low energy. Processed sugar is so much more damaging, as delicious as it can be, so the natural sugars you find in fruit is a much safer approach.
Essential Oils – Certain scents can heighten your senses and give you a boost of energy. Citrus scents like orange or lemon, rosemary, pine or peppermint have all been proven to give you that jolt you may be looking for. Use an oil diffuser to fill the room with the scent or sniff it quickly straight from the bottle.
Get enough sleep or take naps – Easier said than done, especially if you are working full time or have kids at home. But sleep and rest are actually key to giving you more energy throughout the day. Quick 20 minute naps are more effective than hours worth, as your body has time to fully relax but not long enough to fall into a deep sleep where getting up is that much harder. And go to bed earlier as often as you can, you’ll be grateful to yourself for doing so.
What are some of your natural or healthy tips to having more energy? Sometimes organizing the home or cleaning a space can give you a rush of adrenaline, and accomplish tasks you’ve been putting off. Whatever it may be, remember, you are doing something pretty major while pregnant, you are creating a life. That is a huge accomplishment in itself! Give yourself more grace, listen to your body and take the rest you need and deserve.
Melanie xoxox