When you’re pregnant, people around you would often tell and remind you to stay put due to the physical strains brought by pregnancy. But, just because you’re pregnant doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t do anything.
And in some cases, staying still and unengaged can cause anxiety and mental and emotional strain. In fact, one of the reasons some pregnant women experience prenatal and postnatal depression is due to anxiety of not being able to do or accomplish anything, as well as hormonal imbalance.
Thankfully, despite the physical strains of pregnancy limiting you from doing certain activities, there are low-energy hobbies you can do that are safe, relaxing, and engaging. Furthermore, doing activities you enjoy can also help relieve stress caused by the changes happening in your body.
With that, here are six great hobbies worth exploring during your pregnancy.
1. Embroidering
One of the most relaxing hobbies pregnant moms can try is embroidering. Embroidering can help keep stress and anxiety at bay while promoting creativity and deep concentration. You can create your custom embroidery designs using an online design maker.
Once you’ve finalized your designs, you can preview them in 3D and know the threads and embroidering techniques required for the said designs. All in all, it’s an easy hobby that doesn’t require professional design experience or skill.
And to make it more fun and exciting, you can embroider your baby’s onesies and use designs that hold significant meanings to both of you.
2. Knitting
Like embroidering, knitting can also be a perfect low-energy hobby mothers can explore. And since you don’t need to do any strenuous physical movement, this activity allows your mind and body to relax. The best part about this activity is that it’s not expensive and can be learned easily.
All you need are a few balls of yarn and a pair of knitting needles to get started. You may not be able to create a beautiful flower or baby face pattern right away, but there are a lot of video tutorials online that can guide you on how to do it.
Once you master the art of knitting, you can spend the rest of your pregnancy journey knitting thoughtful gifts, such as a sweater for your baby, a beanie, a pair of socks, or even a scarf for yourself.
You’ll surely feel fulfilled after seeing the results of handmade clothing pieces for your loved ones. Plus, this skill can last a lifetime, making it a worthwhile lifetime hobby.
3. Photography
Naturally, pregnant moms look forward to taking photographs of their child’s precious moments. But to make the photos more unique and personalized, why not learn a few photography skills?
You can learn more about the basics of photography by taking online courses or joining a class with an expert photographer. Although online courses are cheaper, taking photography classes allows you to meet and socialize with other people who are also keen on taking photography as a hobby.
4. Writing Or Journaling
Another relaxing and one of the healthiest forms of self-expression is writing or journaling. Your pregnancy journey may be filled with several ups and downs, and you may experience mood changes caused by your hormonal imbalance. Instead of bottling up these feelings, you can write all of them down on paper.
Writing can boost your brain’s production of feel-good hormones that can help fight off stress and anxiety, making it a great way to improve your mental health during pregnancy.
5. Learning Or Playing An Instrument
It’s no secret that music can help improve your moods and keep you calm and composed. But instead of just listening to music, why not play the music yourself and try to learn a new instrument?
Learning an instrument can aid in relieving stress and keeping your mind engaged. When you feel anxious, you can grab your instrument and play it to distract and relax you. Plus, music is also known to help develop your baby’s brain activity during pregnancy.
6. Gardening
If you’re looking for a hobby that allows you to soak in as much sunlight, cultivating your own garden can be for you. Gardening can calm your mind and shift your focus somewhere else instead of focusing on stressful things.
Plus, growing your own plants and flowers can feel rewarding, similar to growing a baby inside you.
However, gardening may require some physical exertion, unlike other hobbies. So, it’s best to do it carefully and, if possible, only do it when your loved ones are around. It’s also advisable to consult your doctor first and see if this hobby is suitable for your situation.
Wrapping It Up
Hobbies can be an excellent way to engage your mind and relieve the stress and anxiety you may be feeling without tiring your body. Remember, your pregnancy isn’t only about looking after your physical body. It’s also about looking after your mental and emotional health.
