The first trimester of a woman’s pregnancy is when her body goes through many changes. To be healthy, a woman needs to be intentional about taking care of herself. Dr. Roger Walch wrote an article, Lifestyle and Mental Health, which outlined eight important lifestyle factors that affect the health of an individual. He referred to changes one can make to improve one’s health as Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes. The eight changes a woman can make to improve health are: nutrition and diet, exercise, recreation, relationships, relaxation and stress management, spiritual involvement, and service to others.

Personal Story

Change is hard. It is difficult for me to work on each of the areas that I need to improve. I set goals and see progress. I find journaling is helpful to keep me more aware of my goals.

Nutrition and Diet

Start improving your eating habits before you get pregnant. Eat real foods that nourish your body.

Supplementing food intake with a prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement, other vitamins, herbs and/or other needed supplements may also constitute an important part of good pregnancy care.

Remember that all medication should be kept to a minimum during the first three months of pregnancy. Some herbs that help with morning sickness may be permissible.

Exercise

A pregnant mother might try to get daily moderate exercise, starting with ten minutes and working up to walking or doing other exercise for thirty minutes a day. Exercises a pregnant woman may want to try are low-impact aerobics, swimming, or cycling with a stationary bicycle.

Recreation

A pregnant woman can enjoy many forms of recreation during her pregnancy. It is best to consult a health care professional for details.

A pregnant woman benefits from developing a healthy relationship with her husband during the pregnancy. She might do this by connecting with him daily and spending recreational time together.

Relaxation and Stress Management

Relaxation helps a woman in many ways. A pregnant woman may want to set a goal to get enough sleep each night by going to bed every night by 10 pm and getting up at the same time each morning so that she is getting at least seven hours of sleep each night. Growing a human is hard work! Resting one day a week is also recommended to give her body time to relax and be restored. A mother may want to use stress management techniques, such as praying, time management tools, and walking to manage her stress.

Spiritual Involvement

A pregnant mother’s personal walk with God may be developed during the pregnancy. Learning to rely on God’s goodness and provision will benefit her in the days to come.

Service to Others

A pregnant woman or one desiring to be pregnant can serve another pregnant woman. They can provide emotional support, discuss topics of interest, and/or help each other with daily responsibilities. She may also be a help to a new mother and, as she helps the new mom, she will gain knowledge and experience to help her in the future when her baby comes.

Action

A woman who is pregnant can make changes in her nutrition and diet, exercise, recreation, relationships, relaxation and stress management, spiritual involvement, and service to others so that she may become a healthier individual and impact the health of her baby.

May God bless your healthful endeavors!

Joni

P.S. How do you make changes that lead to a healthier life?

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