You hear a lot about mindfulness but few people really know what it really is. Some people think that it is the same as meditating, that it has religious overtones or that it is the latest fad. Today I want to explain what it really consists of and I also tell you specifically what they are the benefits of mindfulness during pregnancy.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness consists of mindfulness or mindfulness. This is achieved by directing our attention to ourselves in the present moment without judging what we feel or ourselves. It is about realizing how the different emotions work in our body, connect with them and with our essence, get to know each other more and to improve our emotional management.
It is often confused with meditation but they are two different things. It has nothing to do with religion nor is it a fad. It is a philosophy of life that is aimed at improving our quality of life, both physically and emotionally. It enhances self-control, our emotional intelligence, our resilience, our concentration, self-esteem, our capacities and resources, ...
It is about detaching ourselves from our thoughts and judgments to see them from another perspective and that they do not take over us. It is used to detect negative beliefs, patterns, destructive thoughts, stress, anxiety ...
What are the benefits of mindfulness during pregnancy?
Fortunately, more and more importance is given to our emotional health in addition to our physical health. Y pregnancy is a time of great emotional stress. The hormones are running wild and we are much more sensitive. Believing that pregnancy alone will bring happiness is forgetting about a very important part of this process. The great emotional burden, the stress of creating a new life, negative worries and beliefs, the negative aspects of pregnancy it may not help you get along as well as expected. And it is normal, as much as we want to have something, the mere fact of getting it does not mean that it gives us all the happiness we hoped for.
Studies show that mindfulness has many positive effects during pregnancy. It is a very stressful time in a woman's life that causes cortisol levels to rise in the blood. If these levels are maintained for too long they will affect the development of the baby: low birth weight and developmental problems among others. That is why mindfulness is highly recommendede during pregnancy. Let's see what are the benefits it has:
- Decrease in stress levels.
- Improvement of the immune system.
- Lowers anxiety levels.
- Remarkably improves mood.
- Reduces tiredness and insomnia.
- Reduces the physical and psychological discomfort of pregnancy.
- Improve sleep
- It comes in handy for the arrival of the delivery.
And in addition to all these improvements for the mother, the baby also receives its benefits. Babies develop much better, with fewer developmental problems, and healthier.
How can you do mindfulness?
Another good thing about mindfulness is that you can do it anywhere. Ideally, it should be in a place where you are comfortable, there are no noise or possible distractions and that has a comfortable temperature. Turn off all electronic devices so they don't bother you. You can put some music in the background to help you relax if you prefer. Wear comfortable clothing that does not constrict or bother you. You can do it both alone and in a group.
You only need to sit comfortably and with a straight back, or lying down. Relax your arms and legs. Focus only on your breath. How air enters your lungs and exits. Be aware of the process that you do naturally without realizing it. This produces relaxation in the body, to be more in contact with the mind-body balance, and to better manage emotions. If you want to know more about how to use mindfulness for management, do not miss this article.
Because remember ... your mind is just as important as your physique.