Photo: Lauren Fair Photography
The overwhelming task of wedding planning can send even the most zen bride-to-be into a tailspin sometimes. It’s totally normal to feel stressed and a bit frazzled by all the details, deadlines, budgeting, and more. Luckily, there are ways to help you stay calm and centered throughout the planning process, so you can enjoy every moment of being engaged leading up to the big day.
Get Moving
Sure, massages at your favorite spa or enjoying your local beach are some fabulous ways to get your mind mellowed. But here at BRIDES, we also love a good multi-tasking opportunity, so why not work on relaxing your mind AND achieve your pre-wedding fitness goals through movement? Getting exercise (nearly every kind) has an automatic relaxation response that can help a body and mind in need. Movement can affect your breath, blood pressure, heart rate and general sense of well-being while releasing some much-needed-during-wedding-planning serotonin (the happy hormone!)
Breathe
Controlling and observing your breath can be a really powerful relaxation tool, and is also known to lower blood pressure and lessen anxiety, too. While there are tons of different methods to get your chill on through your breath, one of our favorites for beginners is called Sama Vritti in the yoga world, which translates to “equal breathing.” Basically, for every second you inhale, you focus on exhaling the same amount of time for more balanced breathing. Start with 4 seconds in, four seconds out (in through the nose, out through the mouth) and challenge yourself with times from there.
Time Management
There really IS a time and a place for everything, and unfortunately there are only 24 hours in a day. It’s easy to get stressed out and overwhelmed when you try to cram too many planning items into a short amount of time, and time management is key. By pre-planning allotted time slots or sessions devoted to wedding planning and doing your best to stick to it, you can help stay in charge of your calendar and tasks, and when you are in control, you’re more likely to be at ease.
Sleep
According to an old Irish proverb, “A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything.” We’d have to agree. Especially for brides-to-be that are holding down full time jobs and what seems to be full-time wedding planning, long nights and early mornings can begin to take their toll. BE sure you’re getting the 7-8 hours your body needs to function optimally and keep you bright eyed and bushy tailed. (And keep those dark circles and puffy eyes at bay!)
Eat Right
Stress eaters, this one is going to be tough — but you’ll thank us later. Many people turn to food for comfort and relaxation in times of high stress or tension, but the momentary solace you might find in ice cream, cake or other junk foods might actually cost you later on. Aside from getting in the way of your nutrition and fitness goals, eating poorly can increase feelings of agitation, lessen your energy levels and make it hard to focus. No bride-to-be needs (or wants) that!
See More: 10 Signs You’re Way Too Stressed About Wedding Planning