How to Feed Your Happiness in Pregnancy
The last few months have felt so strange, some days it just feels like there’s a dark cloud over the world. I’m sure for many of you reading this it’s been quite stressful as we settle into this very weird new ‘normal’. When you’re feeling like this it can be hard to have a lot of perspective and we forget to notice all of the things that are going right even during Covid.
Mindfulness gets a bit of a bad rap when it comes to noticing our thoughts. It’s great that we notice the negative thoughts and don’t give any energy to them so they pass more quickly but your mindfulness practice is also a great opportunity to notice positive, affirming thoughts and moments during the day and soak them in.
The brain is wired to look for threats as it’s focused on survival so when something good happens we have to really make an effort to bask and soak in those moments. Neuroscientist Rick Hanson talks about negative thoughts being like velcro to the mind and positive ones are like a non stick pan…they just slide right off. We have to make a conscious effort to squeeze every bit of goodness from those positive, good feeling moments.
Try some of these emotional nourishment practices if your pregnancy happiness levels are a little on the low side today.
Listen to the Pregnancy Celebration.
Look around you and find 3 things you’re grateful for.
Practice your Heart Breathing - bring to mind someone who adores you and let that oxytocin flow.
Make a list of everything that’s going right for you today.
Take a moment to connect with your baby and imagine your baby reassuring you and how he can’t wait to meet you.
Bask in as many good feeling moments as you can today. Forget about spectacular sunsets - find those moments in the ordinary (a green light as you’re driving, a short line at the grocery store). The more you notice those moments the less effort it takes to pay attention to them.
It’s perfectly normal to have days when we’re just not feeling like ourselves, be extra gentle with yourself and don’t force any of these exercises - maybe have a nap instead.
