Managing physical and mental health is crucial for anyone during college. But now with a baby on the way, it’s even more important to not only take care of your baby but also take care of the person carrying her or him: YOU!
Here are some reminders of how to properly navigate self-care:
- Eat Well. It is incredibly important you give your body enough fuel to get through the day. This may look like snacks between classes or multiple meals. Additionally, talk with your doctor for further advice on nutrition and how you can best provide the fuel you and your child need.
- Exercise. Not only will exercise improve your stamina and health, but it is also known to provide better sleep at night. Furthermore, exercise can help reduce back pain, as well as constipation and bloating. That being said, don’t be too harsh on your body by exercising excessively. Move at a consistent, moderate pace, and it will be beneficial to not only your physical but your mental health as well.
- Communicate. Find professors and academic advisers that you trust, and discuss how you can best juggle your schoolwork during your pregnancy. Self-care, though it says in the name, does not have to be self-accomplished. The task of taking care of yourself does not have to weigh on your shoulders alone. Feel free to seek the counsel of others you trust. Depending and communicating with others is another form of self-care that we may not realize, but it’s an important one!
- Scheduling. Though it’s not true for all, morning sickness is a definite struggle for many pregnancies. If that’s the same case for you, try and cater your schedule around those times. If you’re dealing with morning sickness, maybe that looks like classes starting in the afternoon. Fatigue and sickness look different for every pregnancy, so try to recognize your tendencies and consider those times as you block out your schedule for the academic term.
- Online classes. Now that we’re living in a post-COVID world, remote learning and work have taken a huge presence in our society today. Thus, if you believe you could benefit more from learning at home rather than in class, talk with your academic adviser and see if there are any remote options the college can provide to you.
Out of all of these tips, the most crucial one would be to commend yourself. Being a student alone holds a load of responsibilities. However, the fact that you’re navigating through college with a baby on the way is extremely commendable. Holding a mindset of encouragement will naturally provide you the desire to accomplish the previous 5 steps. Self-care is important; however, first recognizing that you’re deserving of that self-care is a vital introduction that will naturally set the tone of your college career.
By Abigail Choe
