Tips for Increasing Your Energy While Pregnant

Much of the time, pregnancy and lack of energy can seem synonymous with each other - as your body undergoes such changes and needs more and more energy for both yourself and the baby growing within, it can be normal to feel constantly fatigued and worn out. However, there are a few ways to curb the tired feelings.

- Mind what your overall diet. One of the best things you can do for yourself, especially while pregnant, is to try to eat healthy as much as you can. A diverse diet that is full of proteins, whole grains and complex carbs are not only very healthy (and essential during pregnancy), but they help release sugar slowly into the bloodstream, maintaining a decent energy level throughout the day. Eggs, wholegrain breads, dried fruit and nuts are great for this.

- Stay away from simple carbs and junk food. Grabbing food that's full of sugar may be appealing and seem helpful in the moment, but as it is released and digested more quickly, your energy levels will fade a lot faster and you will only end up feeling more fatigued.

- Add in certain foods to your diet that are almost sure to help your energy levels. Sources of vitamin C like broccoli and orange juice, sources of B6 vitamins such as sweet potatoes and bananas, and foods with antioxidants like strawberries and blueberries are all healthy and energy-inducing. They are also quite easy to incorporate into your diet - drink a glass of low-acid orange juice after breakfast, a banana as a snack, berries added into your yogurt, and add broccoli or sweet potatoes as a side dish at dinners.

- Eat several smaller meals instead of a few large ones. Three large, main meals can make you feel more sluggish and can also worsen nausea if you're experiencing morning sickness. 6 smaller meals throughout the day can really help, along with quick snacks such as a handful of nuts or dried fruit - apricots are wonderful, as they are full of vitamin C, fiber and iron.

- Drink plenty of water. This is very important during pregnancy especially - it's recommended to try and consume around eight 8-oz. glasses of water daily, and staying hydrated is sometimes all that it takes to defeat fatigue. It's even better if the water is cold, stimulating your circulation and oxygen levels while keeping you hydrated and alert.

- Diet and food consumption aside, exercise is the next best thing for energy. It helps to improve blood flow as well as your metabolism, naturally keeping fatigue at bay. Even though moving around may be the last thing you feel like doing, especially when you're very tired, just forcing yourself to get up and take a short walk around the neighborhood can do wonders for your energy levels. Exercise also helps release endorphins, which will naturally make you feel good.

- Make sure you're getting plenty of rest. Taking the time to make sure your body is rested up helps charge your system with more energy. During pregnancy, your body will probably need even more rest than normal - it's recommended to try and get at least eight hours of sleep a night. If you have trouble with this or still feel tired during the day, don't hesitate to take a nap or two. Even a short half-hour nap can be enough to make you feel alert once again.

- Breathe in some fresh air. For a quick pick-me-up, this can work very well, as breathing in cool air can help you feel revived much in the way that cool water on the face does. So if you're feeling drained or sluggish, try opening the windows or going outside into the fresh breeze and sunlight.

If you're still feeling drained quite a bit even after trying all of the above, you should see your doctor. You may have anemia, which will cause constant fatigue, and is also common during pregnancy when the iron levels are more easily depleted.