20 Ways to Relax Today

Giving your body adequate time to rest is so important when you are pregnant, but sleep does not always come easy. Even if you are able to nap, there are days that your body needs more than just sleep, you need to have your body and mind refreshed and re-energized. It is at these times, after being sure you have had adequate sleep, that choosing an activity to settles your body and mind can do you a world of good.

The following is a list of suggestions. Every woman is different, and every woman relaxes in a different way so use this list to stimulate ideas that will work for you. You may need to improvise or change the activities depending on the amount of time and money you are able to dedicate to rest. Be creative. There are no rules about how to do this, just do something that energizes you.

Read a chapter of your favorite book.
Paint your toenails.
Spend time browsing the library or your favorite bookstore.
Write a letter to an old friend.
Share a favorite memory with your baby.
Go for a walk and listen to the birds.
Spend 5 minutes doing deep abdominal breathing.
Soak your feet in warm water, then massage them.
Go to bed early, read a book to fall asleep.
Put on your favorite song and sing with it!
Plant a flower.
Take a shower, scrubbing your body with a loofa and your favorite scented body wash.
Walk in a gentle rain or snow.
Grab a camera and take pictures of you "preparing for baby."
Go out to eat to celebrate baby.
Rent your favorite crying movie.
Walk your dog, or your neighbor's dog.
Get your hair professionally styled.
Pick a room of your home and scrub it top to bottom.
Clean out your closet, only leaving the clothes you really wear.

What would you like next?

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