best buys
The best buys to help you relax during pregnancy
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Relaxation is important during pregnancy for both you and baby, but it isn’t always as easy as you think!
So, how do you switch off at the end of a long day?
Now that you're pregnant, winding down with a glass or two of wine is out of the question – and if you're really unlucky, your favourite foods might make you feel queasy rather than comforted now!
Whatever stage of pregnancy you're at, there are ways to treat yourself to the TLC you deserve.
We’ve rounded up the best ways to relax both body and mind during those nine long months …
1. Pukka Motherkind Pregnancy Tea
*Herbal tea designed with pregnant women in mind
*Delicious, caffeine free and super relaxing
*Organic and made with herbs from around the world
A warm cup of herbal tea before bed can help to relax your mind and body, but make sure you buy one specifically aimed at pregnant ladies so you can sip away with complete peace of mind. This is caffeine-free and formulated with tension-easing peppermint, calming chamomile, and a whiff of red raspberry leaf and orange peel. It tastes delicious too!
2. Revitalising Leg and Foot Spray, £14
*Helps to alleviate water retention associated with pregnancy
*Great for taking on trips away and is 100ml, so ideal for flights
*Contains no harsh chemicals or synthetic colours or fragrances
Swollen ankles, sore feet, and heavy legs are all common symptoms of pregnancy – and if you get to the end of a long day on your feet, the achiness can prevent you being able to fully wind down. Make sure you are equipped with a product designed to relieve the symptoms. This refreshing spray provides instant relief with a blend of sweet-smelling, pregnancy-friendly ingredients.
3. Sleep Mask
*Eye mask filled with lavender to promote great sleep
*Blocks out light fully which helps the body to know it's time for bed
*Ideal if the sun wakes you up too early in the morning
If you struggle to relax at the end of the day, shutting away the world with a silky eye mask is a great idea. Acting like your own personal black-out blind, it will help to shut out light and ease you into sleep. Using a mask filled with lavender will help to relax you further, like this luxurious one, which is made using the softest silk and velvet.
4. Maternity and Feeding Support Pillow, £18.95
*Supports your body through the night for superior comfort
*Filled with hypoallergenic hollowfibres
*Provides full-body support and can be used in many sleeping positions
Getting into the right position in bed isn’t easy when your bump is getting bigger by the day. You can’t lie on your front, you can’t lie on your back, and it just isn’t comfortable on your side. So what do you do? Invest in a pregnancy pillow, which supports your back, cradles your bump, and allows you to fully relax when you hit the sack. This is a great choice, as you can use it again after baby is born as a feeding support.
5. Pregnancy Yoga with Tara Lee
*At-home yoga DVD which you can follow from the comfort of your living room
*Great for keeping your body supple during pregnancy, but also important for relaxation
*Far less expensive than paying for a whole yoga course
Yoga is the perfect way to relax when you are expecting a baby, as it teaches you to breathe and relax (an important skill, not just in pregnancy, but also during birth).
However, it’s important that you follow a prenatal system so it’s safe for you and baby. Attending a local prenatal class is a great idea, but if you can’t find one in your area at a convenient time, you can buy a DVD aimed at pregnancy.
6. Organic Pregnancy Therapy Candles, £7.80
See more at Not on the High Street
*100% organic plant wax candles made for pregnancy
*Combine with calming music, a bath and a face mask for ultimate relaxation
*Choose your favourite scent or collect them all
Candlelight is hugely relaxing, whether you are lying in a warm bath or enjoying a good read or movie on the sofa. Dim the lights and light the wick for instant calm. Pick a candle that is designed for pregnancy, as some essential oils are not recommended when you're expecting.
These are made with 100% organic plant wax and come in four soothing fragrances: Lavender, Rose Geranium, Wild Fig & Grape, and Champagne & Pink Grapefruit.
7. White Noise, free
*Choose from hundreds of white noise apps, youtube videos or playlists on Spotify and Amazon Music
*Many are completely free
*Great if you're struggling to sleep
Download a relaxation app on your phone to zone out before you head to bed. If you find the sound of rain on the windows relaxing, you will love this new app, which replicates the sound to create a form of white noise. Shutting out other sounds that might disturb you during the night, the app offers a full and refreshing night’s sleep for you and your growing baby.
8. Burt's Bees Single Use Hydrating Overnight Mask
*Intensively hydrates the skin with clary sage and probiotic technology
*Contains no parabens, phthalates, petrolatum or SLS
*Made from 99% natural ingredients
Sit back and pamper your skin with this hydrating, natural face mask by Burt's Bees. If you're suffering from increased sensitivity and dryness during pregnancy, your old skin products might not be suitable anymore. This natural face mask by Burt's Bees won't irritate the skin, and will add moisture rather than removing oils as many clay-based mud masks do. It's packed full of lovely, natural ingredients such as clary sage and skin-loving probiotics.
Read on:
- Best buys for your first post-birth bath
- The best beauty buys for new mums
- The best skincare buys for busy mums