Television, advertising, and social media are all telling us that being fit and toned is the ideal image to strive for. Although this idea is burdening for everyone, meeting such unrealistic expectations is particularly difficult for pregnant women and new moms. If you are pregnant or you recently had a baby, here are some useful tips that will help you stay positive about your body image without feeling pressured to fit into popular beauty standards:
Focus on the Power of Your Body
Instead of focusing on its appearance, think about the things your body has done. It is growing a baby (and an entirely new organ: the placenta), or it has just gone through childbirth. This means that your body has to go through a number of changes in order to accommodate and deliver a new life. After the birth, there is also the task of whaling from the process, as well as feeding, holding, and carrying the baby. And all of that with very little sleep. So when you begin feeling critical about your own body image, remember all the challenges it had to surpass, and give it time to heal.
Try to Be Physically Active During Pregnancy
Pregnant women are encouraged to work out for at least 30 minutes a day, of course, if everything is all right with their health. That is why you should never engage in activities that were not approved by a healthcare professional. Once you are ready to start exercising during pregnancy, know that some types of workouts you were used to doing before may still be safe to do. Physical activity will help both your body and the mind. It is one of the best ways to work on your overall well-being, and if you start during pregnancy, you will find it easier to continue after childbirth.
Stop Body Checking
Body checking is something we all sometimes do without even noticing. This is the practice of constantly looking at your reflection in the mirror or in large windows, lifting your shirt to see the size of the belly, stepping on the scale every morning, and so on. Zooming in on every inch of your body can only make you feel insecure as you go through all the physical changes that come during and after pregnancy. Instead, try to see yourself as a whole person, just like you see your family and friends. Stop hyper-focusing on bodily flaws and praise the things you like and appreciate about yourself.
Do Not Obsess About Pre-Pregnancy Clothing
Going up a size should not make you feel bad. On the contrary, wearing comfortably fitting clothes is a way to respect and honour your body. When you force yourself to wear clothes that no longer fit, you actually draw attention to the areas of the body that you already feel insecure about. Fitting into pre-pregnancy clothes surely feels great, but learning to love your body no matter what feels even better.
Surround Yourself with Positive People
Changes in your appearance might be followed by unwanted comments from certain people. Some of those can hit really hard, especially when they’re paired with the regular emotional ups and downs that pregnant women and new moms experience. That is why you should carefully choose the people who surround you. Stay away from overly negative people and spend time with those who can provide emotional and physical support during the pregnancy and after the baby is born.
Indulge and Celebrate Yourself
Welcoming a new baby to the world is challenging and time-consuming, but it is extremely important to find time to make yourself a priority every once in a while. During pregnancy, try to pamper yourself by continuing to do all the things you enjoyed before, as long as they are safe. Create a habit of indulging in relaxing activities so it can remain relevant after childbirth.
Pregnancy exposes women to tough physical and emotional changes, and being hard on yourself isn’t going to help. It is hard to escape the omnipresent obsession about the perfect physical appearance, but as a new mom, you need to learn how to love and appreciate your body regardless of its shape and size.