Addiction research continues to progress. Recently, researchers discovered that, in addition to genetics, environmental complications during critical stages of development may contribute to substance use disorders (Pastor, Antonelli, & Pallares, 2017). Stress during pregnancy could lead to long-term and permanent brain chemistry changes that increase risk of disease later in life, which includes the development of addiction. Prenatal stress enhances similar reward and reinforce effects as drug use. Stress during pregnancy has also been linked to premature birth, behavior problems in children, and the development of depression, anxiety, and psychotic disorders in adulthood. The point here is to bring awareness to the impact prenatal stress has on the developing baby and offer brief solutions to help you or a loved one reduce stress during pregnancy.
Mindfulness and gratitude based interventions have been shown to improve mental well-being during pregnancy (Matvienko-Sikar & Dockray, 2017). Mindfulness involves being aware of your thoughts and controlling your responses to these thoughts. Slowing down and processing thoughts and emotions are essential to adopting mindfulness. Take time each day to be intentionally present. Go to a quiet place and remove distractions. Relax your body and pay attention to your breathing.
Gratitude activities remind us of the good things in life and help promote a more positive outlook on life and situations. Studies have shown that maintaining a gratitude journal leads to improved life satisfaction, health, sleep, motivation, optimism, and happiness. To engage in gratitude journaling, take 10-15 minutes once a week to write down the people, places, things, memories, and events you are grateful for. Positive focus is another gratitude activity that can reduce stress during pregnancy. Positive focus can occur during a walk, on a long drive, or while sitting outside. Just look around and take note of all the pleasant things you see; it will give you a greater sense of appreciation of all the world offers you daily. On a final note, if you are engaged in therapy, or have considered therapy, ask your therapist to integrate gratitude activities in your sessions to promote a more positive and appreciative outlook on life.
The mind is everything. What you think you become. –Buddha
Matvienko-Sikar, K., & Dockray, S. (2017). Original research – quantitative: Effects of a novel positive psychological intervention on prenatal stress and well-being: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Women and Birth, 30, e111–e118
Pastor, V., Antonelli, M. C., & Pallarés, M. E. (2017). Unravelling the link between prenatal stress, dopamine and substance use disorder. Neurotoxicity Research, 31(1), 169–186.
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