It’s only natural to feel quite a bit of stress during some part of pregnancy. Expecting a baby is a life-altering event. Not only is your life as you know it is going to change, but your body is also going through changes right before your eyes. While expecting a baby is an amazing experience, among the fun stuff like shopping, baby showers and purchasing gender reveal shirts to let everyone know the sex of your unborn baby, there is stressful stuff as well.

There are dangers to being under too much stress when you are pregnant. f That’s why it’s important to know how to survive pregnancy stress with the tips below.

Take the Time to Rest

While this is a lot easier said than done, it’s extremely important that you take time to rest when you’re expecting. The one thing you should not do is feel guilty about it, as relaxing is good for you and for your baby. For example, when you get home from work, take some time to sit and put your feet up before starting on dinner and cleaning the house. As a matter of fact, it’s better to try and cut down on the extra chores by splitting them between yourself, your spouse, and older kids, if you have any.

Eat Well 

Making sure to eat well is another important way to relieve stress when you’re expecting. This doesn’t mean junk, but a well-balanced diet of foods that include plenty of Omega-3 essential fatty acids. These foods will help to lift your mood, ensuring you’re happy and stress-free most of the time. Remember: plenty of fruits, veggies, and lots of water are essential to the health of yourself and your baby. They will help to reduce those stress levels as well.

Exercise

Unless for some reason you’re under orders from your doctor not to, there is nothing wrong with getting a little exercise when pregnant. As a matter of fact, it’s recommended. It’s also quite safe–as long as the exercise isn’t too vigorous. Plenty of moms-to-be swim and practice pregnancy yoga. If you’re not up to more, taking a simple walk around the block after dinner is exercise as well, and works to lower stress levels significantly.

Money does Matter

Anyone who has had a child can tell you that having a baby puts a major dent in your finances. Of course, worrying about money is one of the biggest contributors to stress as well. There are many ways around spending a ton on baby items, from asking friends and family to help, to asking for things that you know you will need in your baby shower registry.

These are just a few of the top ways that you can relieve the stress that comes with a pregnancy. Remember, you and your baby should be your top concerns. High stress levels can be bad on you both, so following these tips is essential for a healthy and happy life for both you and your baby.