Soothing heat therapy during pregnancy

Being pregnant takes a toll on a woman’s body. Hormone production, weight gain, physical appearance, difficulty finding a comfortable sleeping position, and being awakened by a physically active fetus are just a few of the effects of pregnancy.

Being pregnant is a workout, but being in shape through it can help. When it comes time for delivery a body that is in good shape is more able to deal with the rigors of childbirth. According to the National Institutes of Health, joints loosen during pregnancy, and therefore it is important not to do exercises that require fast movements. Of course, activities that can cause injury should be avoided also. For a list of activities to avoid and other information about what to do and what not to do during pregnancy go to the NIH Web site.

To help relieve joint pain especially in the hips and lower back pain from the weight of the baby during the Maine Warmers carries a variety of heating pads that can also be frozen and used as gentle ice packs to reduce swelling and pain. Dads also have stresses and muscle aches and can benefit from a heating pad to relax tense muscles in the neck. A variety of Comforting Creatures and other Warmers make perfect baby shower gifts for use before birth and after.
third trimester of pregnancy, try using heat therapy from a microwave heating pad.

For more information about dealing with some of the discomforts of pregnancy check out this article on WebMD.

Use relaxation to help reduce food cravings

Sometimes I crave sweets when relaxation is what I really need. A cup of tea with a couple of cookies and a few minutes time out to enjoy it is how I tend to chill out. The time out is what I need -- not the tasty treat.

There are times when I crave something sweet so much I will stop at the store or make a special trip to buy dessert. Once I have it in my pocket, purse, or grocery bag the craving magically goes away. I haven't eaten it, but have lost the craving.

There are times during the day when it is hard to relax, either because the schedule is so tight or I’m already in a high speed wobble and cannot seem to slow down. It helps to slow down when those cravings bite. Sometimes I will ask my husband to offer a gentle reminder after supper to take a deep breath and relax. Other times a self reminder is all that's needed.

The Mayo Clinic has several suggestions for relaxation techniques that might help chase away some of those food cravings. I was a bit surprised that they don't mention a little time out on the couch with a heating pad. I have used heat to relax tense muscles and help ease away anxiety and cravings. A microwave heating pad from Maine Warmers is versatile and can be used for a variety of ailments. Check out the Cozy Sheep Warmers.  They are portable, easy to use, safe, and have no added fragrances.