How To Deal With Depression During Pregnancy, Without Drugs Or Harsh Treatments
jessica albert 
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Depression is one of the worst things that anybody can experience even when they are completely fit physically. Pregnancy already takes a toll on your mind and body in so many ways and if you add depression to that, things can get pretty rough. Not a lot of women would want to take harsh medicines and other treatments for depression when they are pregnant. If you’re going through a rough time emotionally, there are some other ways for you to ease things out.
Talk Talk Talk
Depression doesn’t always need medication and you can meet a counselor and share your feelings. In case you don’t feel that you absolutely need to talk to a psychologist, ask your best friend to come over for a few days and talk to her. It doesn’t really have to be your partner always. Do not isolate yourself because that’s only going to make things worse. You need to make a conscious effort to include people in your life who are going to help you through the situation. It can be pretty difficult to open up to anyone about your feelings in the first place but once you do it, things will change.
Keep Yourself Busy
Try to keep yourself busy because depression tends to worsen when you over-think. “An idle mind is a devil’s workshop”- so, involve yourself in light activities. It doesn’t really have to be knitting onesies. You can do a lot of productive things like planning your diet, scheduling your doctor’s appointments, making lists of baby names, and shopping for baby items! If you’re still going to work, try not to take too much into your basket because that will keep you busy, but not in a good way.
Meditation And Yoga
Wake up early in the morning, spread that yoga mat on your balcony and start the day with some fresh air. Meditation and yoga will help you relax and it will also help you stay healthy- this applies for all and not just pregnant women. Make sure you’re practicing yoga under supervision or you know what you’re doing. Discuss with a professional yoga trainer about the things that you can do and not do. Meditation can be done at night before you go to bed as well. It will help you get a night of better sleep.
Light Exercises
Go to a gym or hire a personal trainer for a few months to learn light exercises that you can do while you’re pregnant. Being pregnant doesn’t mean that you need to sit on the couch eating fruits all day- you need to prepare your body for the labor. Light exercises will help you keep your body fit and not gain too much weight from the extra calories that you consume.
Peaceful Sleep
Invest in a good pregnancy pillow- it will help you get rid of the back pain when you’re in bed. Pregnancy pillows are very comfortable and they help you sleep better. Make sure that you don’t use a phone or laptop before you go to bed. Also, don’t drink too much water after dinner because you don’t want to wake up too many times in between your sleep.
Healthy Food
Talk to your doctor about the food that you should eat in plenty and also about the ones that you should strike off your grocery list. Avoid junk food almost completely and try to eat homemade food for the most part of your daily diet. Take extra vitamins if necessary and make sure you eat on time. Drink enough of water no matter what and eat frequent light meals so that you don’t feel too full and nauseous.
Self-Care
Self-care is something very important during pregnancy, especially if you are suffering from depression. Make sure that you give yourself enough time to take care of your mind and body. Dress up once in a while and go out with your family or friends. Watch TV shows and movies that make you happy and not the ones that will finish off your tissue boxes. You need to be very careful about what you’re exposing yourself to if you’re feeling depressed. Follow your old hobbies- paint, sing, cook, make makeup tutorials! (Wouldn’t recommend dancing though).
Remember that you are the only person who can make yourself happy. Others can help and they will if you let them know that you need help. However, it’s ultimately you who has to take control of things. In case things don’t get better no matter what you try, do not hesitate to seek councilling from a psychologist.
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