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How to Survive the Holidays Pregnant

The holidays, though full of cheer, love and celebration, can be a very stressful time for many. It's important to listen to your body -- always, but especially when you're pregnant -- and take time for yourself so that the stress doesn't catch up to you.
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Modern Pregnancy. Urban Parenting. WellRoundedNY.com

Modern Pregnancy. Urban Parenting. WellRoundedNY.com
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View of Tokyo, Japan
View of Tokyo, Japan

By Anita Mirchandani

The holidays, though full of cheer, love and celebration, can be a very stressful time for many. It's important to listen to your body -- always, but especially when you're pregnant -- and take time for yourself so that the stress doesn't catch up to you.

Here are some easy tips to help you survive the holidays when you're pregnant:

Travel smartly. If you're planning to travel in any capacity, it's important to stay comfortable throughout the journey. When packing, be sure to include a variety of preferred snacks (especially healthy ones for pregnancy!) in case there are travel delays or you feel your blood sugar dropping. Also, be sure to dress comfortably to allow for extended period of sitting or standing. Compression socks (we love these ones from Vim & Vigr) ) may be a good snag during this time.

  1. Sit down! When attending holiday parties, be sure to find a few minutes every 30-45 minutes to sit down. It's important to rest your feet so that you prevent additional foot soreness you may already feel from the pregnancy itself. You'll be surprised at the relief you feel with just 60 seconds of resting your feet. If you can, rub some Mama Mio Lucky Legs cooling gel on your feet when you return to home base -- your feet will appreciate it!

  • Eat before you party. When it comes to food at holiday parties, it's hard to always eat healthy. If you're able to, try to eat a mini-meal of approximately 200-250 calories beforehand so that you're not famished and gravitating to the heavy dips etc., and instead noshing at a slower pace. Many times, overeating where the feeling of your eyes are bigger than your stomach can lead to gas, indigestion or discomfort. This will help minimize those sensations.

  • Stay active! It's hard to prioritize a workout during the busy holiday season, however, even a 15-minute jolt around the block or light stretching on a yoga mat can help rejuvenate you during all the hustle bustle. Try to focus on short, efficient ways to incorporate physical activity into your day.

  • Meditate. Feeling overwhelmed and stressed with all the family drama? Take a few minutes to yourself and try to meditate or clear your mind. There are a variety of meditation podcasts including a free version on Headspace to help you cool off and relax. It's important to continue the positive vibes during this time!

    • More from Well Rounded NY:
    Party On
    5 Benefits of Meditation During Pregnancy
    5 Anytime Yoga Poses for Pregnancy

    This piece was originally published by Anita Mirchandani on Well Rounded NY. Anita Mirchandani, M.S, R.D, C.D.N received a B.A. from NYU and a M.S. in Clinical Nutrition from NYU. After completing a dietetic internship at New York-Presbyterian hospital in 2011, Anita is now a practicing Registered Dietitian. Anita also maintains current certifications in indoor cycling, kickboxing, group exercise, personal training and pre/postnatal exercise specialization. In 2012, Anita co-founded FitMapped, a platform to help users find fitness easily and connect with fellow enthusiasts. Anita represents the New York State Dietetic Association as media spokesperson. Follow @FitNutAnita for interesting updates of fitness and nutrition content.

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