Nurturing Yourself at the End of Your Pregnancy

The last few weeks of pregnancy are emotionally charged and physically exhausting. During these days we are excited and anxiously preparing for the new arrival. There is so much to do, nowhere near enough time, and our bodies have already been pushed to the max. So how do we manage juggling the crazy emotions while accomplishing all the tasks on our to-do-list?
The most simple suggestion is to make your list clearly defined -- and put it into writing. Order the tasks by importance so that whenever your energy comes to an end you will be able to stop and give yourself the much needed rest. Every morning make yourself a new list of that day's priorities. If you stay organized in this way you will consistently make progress, which will take away some of the stress you're bound to be feeling.
Make sure that each day you take at least a little bit of time for yourself. Prenatal yoga, meditation, a warm bath, or even just twenty minutes with a novel are all good ways to devote a little bit of affection to yourself. By loving yourself like this you energize yourself, making the time you devote to your task list that much more effective. Don't forget to spend time devoted to your romantic life as well. Candlelit dinners and nights at the movies will strengthen your bond in preparation for the sleepless nights ahead.
By staying physically active you will also be able to increase your productivity. Exercise has been proven to increase your energy level and boost moods. Don't overdo it; not only is your body using a lot of energy at this point in the pregnancy, it is also affected by the hormones in such a way that makes injury more likely. Daily walks will give you benefit without taking too much out of you. The time you devote to yourself by practicing prenatal yoga would also count as exercise to boost your energy.
Getting adequate amounts of sleep is paramount at this juncture. If you don't rest properly you are bound to be effected in a number of ways. When fatigued, our bodies are even more susceptible to the effects hormones have on our moods. If you find yourself falling apart with increasing frequency you should try taking a nap. Remind yourself that feeling guilty that you're not "getting something done" during that time is an unfair trap we set for ourselves as women. What you are getting done is far more important than a simple household chore. You are preparing a child for her first breaths. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are rested enough for labor, and it takes a lot of energy to birth a child.
Although it may seem like I'm suggesting you stop pushing yourself, I assure you that the only way to truly be okay during this time is to treat yourself with dignity and a little TLC. If you have trouble pampering yourself, even with the knowledge that it will make you more effective and productive, then you are being unfair to yourself. If it were another woman nearing her due date would you expect of her what you are expecting of yourself? It is only fair that you treat yourself as kindly as you would another. You deserve it.