Mums are often, if not always, busy and on-the-go. Combined with the notorious mood swings that you will probably experience during pregnancy, that can be a troublesome combination. That’s why no matter how packed your schedule may be, it is important to take time to relax. Here are 4 simple self-care activities to help you calm down, recharge and improve your pregnancy mood.

1. Talk to your partner

Speak with your partner often, as they are, after all, your best confidant! Open up about what’s weighing you down by talking about your mood or the things you do not like. Do not be afraid to tell the truth about your feelings.

If you feel bored and need some entertainment, try to get your partner to do simple things that you like, such as watching TV, cooking together or sharing a romantic dinner.

By being open and honest with your partner, you can get the support you need and have a more intimate and fulfilling relationship.

2. Ask for help

Being a mother can be really tiring. It is a full-time, 24/7 job. If your spouse is working, you might feel uncomfortable asking for help thinking that they may also be tired from work. But it is unrealistic to bear all child care responsibilities on your own. Try splitting child care and household chores to make both of your lives easier.

Work in shifts when dealing with the kids to allow yourselves to breathe or deal with other things.  

3. Massage

When you’re exhausted, you can easily get stressed, feel tense and find difficulty sleeping. Relax your body and mind by getting a massage. You can ask your partner to give you some tender-loving touch.

Touch plays an important role in boosting the relationship between a couple. People feel more satisfied in a relationship because of physical affection. One simple massaging technique is carefully pressing your hand on your partner’s nape to the shoulder blades in a circular motion. This massage stimulates the production of oxytocin in the body. Do this in turns.

Getting a loving massage from your partner can help you relax and sleep better at night. This experience is made even better when using massage oils. Make sure, however, to use only massage oils made from harmless, natural ingredients.

4. Eat chocolate

According to the Open Computing Facility at UC Berkeley, chocolate helps to relieve stress and produces a relaxing effect. Chocolate stimulates the production of dopamine and serotonin thanks to its high phenylethylamine content. It is also a widely-considered antidepressant. In addition, chocolate also helps blood flow to the brain to clear the mind. Eating chocolate can boost your mood, leaving you feeling more relaxed. Remember to eat chocolate in moderation, because it can contain a high amount of calories.

Mama's Choice Team

The Mama's Choice PH team is composed of three Mamas who are dedicated to spoiling their little ones with lots of cuddles, playtime and the occasional sweets, of course. <3