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Relax - Recharge
15 Ways to Have a Great Pregnancy
By Kimberly Bonnell, Babytalk
Brew Up Relaxation
11. Sip a soothing tea.
A tea ritual can be a great way to relax: Brew up a decaf version of your favorite, add a bit of honey and lemon, sit back, sip, and clear your mind.
Just remember that many herbs are not safe during pregnancy, so check with your doctor before trying any herbal teas. Sticking with a flavored black or green tea that's been decaffeinated is your best bet.
12. Fake a glow.
The fabled glow of pregnancy is sometimes just that, a myth. For some women, the skin breakouts and blotchiness, fatigue, nausea, and bloating that can accompany manufacturing a baby don't exactly add up to a radiant look. So go ahead and fake it with BeneFit's Hoola Bronzer or one of Revlon's Skinlights lotions, makeup sticks, or powders.
13. Baby your feet.
They'll probably be out of view before long, but your feet are rarely out of mind when you're pregnant. Prop up your feet whenever possible and heed these tips:
Wear shoes with a low, chunky heel, between one and two inches high; they're more comfortable than flats.
Look for styles with thick soles (they keep you more stable and are more comfortable for walking) and straps or laces that you can loosen as your feet expand. Naturalizer, Aerosoles, and Easy Spirit carry a variety of comfortable, supportive, and stylish shoes.
Treat feet at the end of the day to a nice soak and a refreshing lotion. Fill up the tub or a basin with Selph Heavenly Heels, made especially for pregnant peds, and slather on Weleda's yummy-smelling Foot Balm.
Splurge on a salon pedicure. Your feet will thank you, and you'll revel in pure rest and relaxation.
14. Write to your baby.
Connect with your child before birth by writing her a letter. It can be long or short, goofy or profound, a poem, a drawing. Whatever form your communication takes, it will be a treasure for your child later in life. "I wrote to each of my three kids," says Suder. "I expressed how I felt as they were growing inside me and my dreams for them and myself as a mom. I'll give them each their letter when they turn sixteen."
15. Forget about it.
Besides eating right and getting proper prenatal care, one of the healthiest things you can do while pregnant is to forget that you're pregnant. Some tactics:
Escape to another time and place. A richly detailed novel set in another era -- try Emma or Gone With the Wind -- is what you're after here.
Float. Being in water is true liberation during pregnancy. You feel virtually weightless, your legs and feet free from their supporting role. Swim, play, give in. (But not in a hot tub; becoming overheated can be dangerous to your baby.)
Laugh. Rent Meet the Parents. Go to a comedy club and live it up on laughs and soda. Watch Brady Bunch reruns on Nick at Nite. Take regular breaks from the intensity and swirl of emotions of pregnancy, and you'll feel the excitement and joy of it even more.
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