Pregnancy can bring a lot of feelings. You may be excited about your baby and still feel worried about money, work, housing, transportation, other children or what will happen after the baby is born.

Feeling stressed sometimes is normal. But you do not have to carry all of that stress by yourself. There are simple things you can do every day to help your body and mind feel calmer—and many of them are free.

One of the easiest places to start is outside.

Take a Short Walk Outside

You do not need a gym membership or expensive exercise equipment. A short walk can give you time to breathe, move your body and clear your mind.

For most women with healthy pregnancies, walking is considered a safe form of exercise. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends about 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week during pregnancy. But you do not have to do it all at once. If you have not been exercising, you can start with just five or ten minutes. Talk with your prenatal provider about what is safe for you.

Healthy West Orange offers several beautiful places where you can walk for free.

The Healthy West Orange Wellness Park in Ocoee has a half-mile walking path around two ponds, a boardwalk, shaded areas and places to sit and enjoy the water. You can walk one loop, sit quietly for a few minutes or simply watch the water.

Another peaceful choice is the Healthy West Orange Boardwalk at Oakland Nature Preserve, located at 747 Machete Trail in Oakland. The mostly shaded boardwalk is about two-thirds of a mile and leads to a covered pavilion overlooking Lake Apopka. The boardwalk is also stroller, walker and wheelchair accessible. Along the way, you may see birds, turtles, plants and other wildlife.

Spending time around trees and green spaces may help with stress, too. Research supported by the National Institutes of Health has found a connection between access to green space and lower perceived stress among some pregnant women, including women with low incomes.

Try the “10-Minute Nature Break”

You do not have to take a long hike.

Find a safe place outside and give yourself ten minutes.

Walk slowly. Notice the trees. Listen for birds. Look at the sky. Take a slow breath in through your nose and slowly breathe out.

Try putting your phone away during those ten minutes.

Your problems may still be there when you finish, but giving your mind a short break can help you feel less overwhelmed.

Walk the West Orange Trail at Your Own Pace

The West Orange Trail gives you another free way to spend time outdoors.

During September 2026, Healthy West Orange is offering its Healthy Selfie 5K Your Way. You can complete 3.1 miles at your own pace anytime during September—and you can break the distance into smaller walks instead of doing it all at once.

Healthy West Orange is also holding an in-person 5K on September 12 at 8:30 a.m., beginning at Orange Technical College–West Campus in Ocoee and using the West Orange Trail.

If you are pregnant, there is no need to race. Walking slowly and taking breaks counts.

Sit in a Garden

Sometimes you may not feel like exercising at all. That is okay.

Visit the Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center in Oakland, located along the West Orange Trail. It has outdoor areas for resting and Westly’s Herb Garden, as well as public restrooms.

Find a comfortable place to sit. Look at the plants. Take slow breaths. Call someone you trust. Bring a book or listen to calming music.

Rest can be healthy, too.

Don’t Handle Every Problem Alone

Sometimes relieving stress means getting help with the problem causing the stress.

If you are worried about food, diapers, insurance, housing or money, tell your prenatal care provider. Ask whether a social worker or community health worker can help you.

Healthy West Orange’s community calendar also lists free food pantries, diaper distributions and social-worker support, along with health and family activities.

Asking for help can be an important part of taking care of yourself during pregnancy.

Take Care of Yourself in the Florida Heat

Florida can be hot even in the fall. Try walking in the morning or later in the day. Bring water, choose shaded areas and take breaks.

Do not push yourself.

Stop exercising and contact your healthcare provider if you have concerning symptoms such as dizziness, chest pain, bleeding, painful contractions or feeling unusually short of breath. ACOG also recommends staying well hydrated during pregnancy exercise.

Your Mental Health Matters

If stress, sadness, fear or anxiety is making it hard to sleep, eat, work or get through your day, tell your doctor or prenatal care provider.

You deserve help with your emotional health just as much as your physical health.

And remember: taking care of yourself does not have to cost money. A ten-minute walk, sitting under a tree, talking with a friend or spending a quiet morning beside the water can be a healthy start.

You are growing a baby. Making time to care for your mind and body is part of caring for your baby, too.