non-medicated remedies/therapies for stress?

[honey86]

im under pressure at the mo, (ex problems and gcse results tomorrow). im managing excellently with the kids (they arent causing me any stress) but im having trouble sleeping laying awake worrying about the next couple of weeks. ex is determined to make this pregnancy as stressful as poss and is stirring things. as for my exams, i failed them at school and need to meet a certain grade to qualify for uni.

any suggestions for remedies or other i can take safely (im almost 30weeks) to help me relax at bedtime and /or think more positively? ive got kalms but i heard they arent suitable for pregnancy x

Rescue remedy night always helped me. Or have a bath last thing, using a bit of Johnson's baby bedtime bath - didn't work for my DS but really helped me sleep

Poor you!

Though it does sound as if you're coping really well in general. If you google "sleep hygiene" then there are pages of hits with tips. Some of the more useful ones are: tidy/declutter your bedroom and make your bed an inviting place; no screens in the bedroom (no telly or MNetting at sleep time); establish your own bedtime routine (much as you would with a toddler!); put paper and pen by your bed, if a worry comes to you write it down and tell yourself you'll deal with it in the morning (meant to help 'park' issues overnight); try the gentle herbal teas such as chamomile or linden blossom.

And I think lavender oil is safe in PG - perhaps part of bedtime routine could be (anti-stretch mark?) massage with cream/oil with a couple of drops of lavender added.

I'd speak to a herbalist to make sure its 100% ok!

I assume that a nice relaxing smelly - like a lavendar pillow of warm bubbly bath would be nice and relaxing.

Try self hypnosis: lie down, concentrate on breathing and slowly cound from 10-1 on each/every second out breath. When you get to zero think about something really lovely (sitting on a beach, swimming, whatever) or doing something really well (so playing the best, most perfect round of golf, or telling your exP to get stuffed whilst remaining calm and in control, or having a calm birth). Only positve things though. Really use your imagination, so if you are on a beach - feel the sand, smell the ocean, taste the salt in the air, hear the waves, imagine exactly what you are wearing...

When you feel relaxed, either roll over and go to sleep, or count from 1-10 and return to the real world.

It takes practise but is worth it - times get longer and relaxation gets deeper as you do. Try it every day.

I'm using natal hypnotherapy and its really helping me, even though I feel I can't really properly visualise the stuff she's saying in the cd! I also don't really make it far into cd without falling asleep- I listened 4 times yesterday and despite feeling my head was too busy, I fell asleep.

And I read the other day that crying releases "harmful" chemicals caused by stress - so if you feel like crying, go for it!

If the cd is on, even if you fall asleep, its seeping into your subconscious!