Your thoughts influence the actions you take every day. Since your thoughts, your mood, and your activities are connected, we will focus on managing thoughts.
Some thoughts are unlikely and can harm your well-being. For example, we may sometimes focus on the worst-case aspects of a situation and overlook certain facts. In this case, it is helpful to notice thinking errors and correct them. Module 3 and Module 4 of You, Me, Baby offer strategies to help change these thoughts.
For practical exercises and more information on managing thoughts, visit the You, Me, Baby website (it’s free!).
Key Takeaways
- First, observing your thoughts without judgment can help you respond more effectively to situations.
- Helpful thoughts like “I can do this” or realistic thoughts like “I’m not perfect” are generally good for you.
- Harmful thoughts like “I can’t do this” or “I’m useless” can prevent you from responding effectively to problems and can worsen your mood.
- Your thoughts are not facts.
- Your thoughts affect your mood and your ability to act appropriately in different situations.
- People often have inaccurate thoughts. Question your thoughts: Is this thought realistic? Replace inaccurate thoughts with alternative ones.
*These strategies can help support your mental health. In some cases, in addition to these activities, medication may be prescribed by your healthcare team to help you. Do not hesitate to talk about your mental health during your medical appointments. Your healthcare team is there to support you throughout your pregnancy.