Why Cultivating A Daily Pregnancy Routine Is So Important…
There are apparently 2 types of women in this world. Those who love being pregnant. And those who don’t. Ok, ok, fine. I’m sure there’s a lot of gray area here! But you get my gist. If I’m being completely honest, I have to admit that pregnancy is not my favorite time. I can recognize the miracle that is happening within me, I love feeling those first gentle kicks, and obviously the end prize is the BEST gift in the entire world.
But the day to day (month to month!) grind of pregnancy wears on me…
Big time. I mean, that’s the whole reason why The Daily Soul Sessions for the Pregnant Mama book came to be! First time around, Kacey was feeling completely overwhelmed by all the changes happening to her body, and she found an outlet by writing in her journal every day. It cleared out all the cobwebs, all the negative feelings, and helped her connect with her heart, mind, and soul again. As my first pregnancy progressed, Kacey let me read a few of her journal-ings….and I. Loved. Them. They were exactly what I had been searching for and could not find! I immediately jumped on board, and viola The Daily Soul Sessions for the Pregnant Mama was born.
So cue up to this current pregnancy. Baby number 2…
Feels a lot like my first pregnancy, yet I’m chasing after a toddler this time around. I know you second time mamas-to-be are pickin’ up what I’m puttin’ down. It’s even harder this time to connect with my own spirit, heart, positivity, creativity because there is less time. I find myself wanting to give all my energy to my kid – after all, there’s not a ton of it these days! But I know deep in my soul that I have to take care of myself, too. Or else I’ll completely run out of steam and this mama train will grind to a stop.
Now I Cultivate a Positive Pregnancy Every Day…
Behold! My daily pregnancy morning routine. The 5 things I do every morning to get my head straight. I always feel refreshed and connected to my inner self, soul, and spirit when I commit to it. And when I’m lazy and don’t do it? My day feels hectic and harried, and I get exhausted waaaaaay too quickly!
5 Step Uplifting Daily Pregnancy Routine
1.) Wake up at least 30 minutes earlier than normal!
I know, I know this can be really hard! But if you give yourself this extra “you” time in the morning, your day will go so much smoother. You’ll have time to actually cultivate your daily routine: meditate, pray, journal, or simply have your first cup of coffee in peace on your back porch.
2.) Breathe Consciously
Before I even get out of bed, I keep my eyes closed and I breathe consciously. I place one hand on my belly and the other hand on my heart, and I breathe in for 3 counts and out for 4 counts. After 4 or 5 cycles of this, I either continue to mediate (if it feels right) or I’ll pray and set an intention for the day. I come up with one positive affirmation to carry me through the day. I’ll say… I am blessed. Or I am creative…I am fearless…I am energized. Whatever word comes to my mind first, I go with it. It’s obviously what my soul has been craving. Then I thank God (or the universe, or whatever you believe in) for this day, because, you know, God should be thanked.
3.) Hydrate
Every evening I take a big glass of water to bed with me, but I rarely finish it during the night. So I immediately drink that glass of water. As I’m drinking it, I visualize the water cleansing me from the inside. (And it’s a great way to start my water intake for the day – which I struggle with!) Then if I’m really being good, I’ll follow it up with a cup of warm water + fresh lemon before I have a cup of coffee. Honestly, this doesn’t happen a lot, but when I do it I LOVE the way it makes me feel.
4.) Read my daily soul session
Next I read my Daily Soul Session for the day. The Daily Soul Sessions for the Pregnant Mama book is the numero uno way I connect with this pregnancy – Every. Single. Day. Because it goes day by day through pregnancy, it helps me make note of where I – and this little soul – are at, it guides me to start my day on a positive note, and it makes me thankful for the gifts I’ve been given in the form of this new life.
5.) Self Growth Time
This changes from morning to morning, but it’s what I call my “Me Time”. I get out of bed and wander up to the coffee pot and press start! As it brews, I choose one of the following:
- Practice morning yoga – basically just some gentle stretching to make space inside of my rapidly growing body. Mama needs some room to breathe!
- Write in my journal. I love when I actually accomplish writing in my journal first thing, but this is hard for me. I tend to need direction when I write – I need a prompt! So I try to prepare for that and have a list of journal exercises inside my notebook to help trigger my brain.
- Read from an inspirational book. I always have a book on hand that is more self-help, or poetry, or that guides me to connect to my creative, spiritual side. I’d much rather read this first thing in the morning than anything else. There is plenty of time to catch up on the rest of the outside world.
So there you have it! My 5 Step Daily Pregnancy Routine that gets my day going in a positive, creative, and inspired direction from the very start. It works, mamas. When we cultivate this extra spiritual time, we feel it in everything we do. In how we say good morning to our husbands, in how we make breakfast for our kids, in how we face the day gracefully and thankfully.
Sending love + light to you!
xo, Kate
For essential tips to get you through each trimester, click below!
The Daily Soul Sessions For The Pregnant Mama book: A daily dose of soul and inspiration for all thrilled, shocked, excited, and delighted mamas-to-be! Available on Amazon now! There are 280 soul sessions – one for every day of your pregnancy. Join The Daily Soul Sessions mama tribe at www.thedailysoulsessions.com. We are dedicated to helping mamas and mamas-to-be stay creative and inspired, and to figure out how to hold onto themselves and their passions while everyone else is holding onto them.
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Join The Daily Soul Sessions tribe! We are 3 sisters, 2 of us are identical twins, Grammy nominated singer/songwriters and recording artists from Denver, Colorado who, when we got pregnant accidentally the first time around, wrote a book about how to stay connected to yourself, your positivity, your creativity, and your inspiration during those crazy 9 months! Now we are all 3 pregnant again with our 2nd babies! Kara is due any day now, and Kate and Kacey (twins!) are due 10 days apart in February of 2017.
