Nurturing yourself during pregnancy (and beyond) isn’t selfish — it’s essential! Your emotional and mental health affects both you and your growing baby. No matter how hectic life feels, schedule weekly dates with yourself (yes, right now — in your calendar) to focus on no one other than you.

Maybe it’s as simple as a much-needed nap, handwriting a letter to a dear friend, or buying yourself flowers and arranging them in your favorite vase. Streaming a prenatal yoga video does wonders for releasing tension and connecting with baby.

Only have five minutes? No problem. Find a private room or corner, take a comfortable seat, and bring one hand to heart and one to your baby. Then, try any of the following:

• Inhale as you say to yourself, “Calm.” Exhale, saying, “Peace.” Repeat 5-10 times.
• Sing baby a song. Allow yourself to sway, cry, smile, laugh. How does baby respond?
• Talk to your baby. Share whatever is on your mind, even if it’s fear, while reminding baby of your love. Example: “Baby, I feel afraid, but it has nothing to do with you. I love you so much.”