Many of you right now are facing really difficult decisions around your wedding day, distressed if your big day you’ve been planning for months or even years will be cancelled or postponed. Staying mentally well at this time is vital and we encourage you to try to find a little time every day to care for yourself. It can be as little as a few minutes a day, however something that should be doing daily to calm down and save your energy for positive thinking and less worrying.
These are undoubtably extremely unpredictable times. No one knows what exactly is going to happen, how it will unfold or what to do. This leads to anxiety which affects everything, although there are things we can do to help.
Wedding planning can be a stressful and difficult task at the best of times, despite the many joys it can bring and we understand that everyone can need a little help to relax and recharge mentally, now more than ever.
Dealing with the stresses of wedding planning
Having nervous energy, fears and worries right now is totally normal and understandable. It’s an overwhelming time in your life and can feel like immense pressure on your shoulders. It’s important to know whether or not these emotions are over powering and affecting your every day health. If it’s all you think and worry about, then changes are needed in order for you to cope. Taking time out of your day to put things into perspective is really important.
Asking for help
Emotional and physical support can be vital for many couples going through uncertainty at the moment. Don’t be scared to ask for help and advise from those around you. It’s really important to listen to your body and put your health first.
Wedding-induced stress: how to deal with it?
♥ Simple breathing & meditation techniques
Something simple that anyone can practice is slow controlled breath work, which is brilliant as you can do this anywhere. There are plenty of free apps which can help you with this. Breathing techniques reduce the release of the stress hormone, cortisol, and adrenaline.
Mental and physical forms of medication will help you de-stress and focus. This could be a bike ride, a walk or a home gym work out session. As long as it gives your mind a break from anxious thoughts, it will do you good.
♥ Good sleeping habits
Sleep is an incredibly important natural stress reducer. Promote better sleep by establishing bedtime rituals that signal to your brain that it’s time to fall asleep, avoid exercise in the three hours before sleep or take a warm bath. Certain foods can also promote sleep, such as carbohydrates, bananas, peanuts, figs, dairy and turkey. These foods all contain tryptophans, a precursor for creating melatonin.
♥ Boosting your immune system
Feeding your body certain foods may help keep your immune system strong. Try to plan your meals to include these 5 powerful immune system groups:
- Vitamin C
- citrus fruits and juices (such as orange and grapefruit)
- kiwi fruit
- red and green peppers
- broccoli
- strawberries
2. Vitamin E
- wheat germ oil
- almonds
- sunflower seeds
- hazelnuts
- peanut butter
3. Zinc
- oysters
- baked beans
- cashews
- raisin bran
- chickpeas
4. Carotenoids
- carrots
- kale
- apricots
- papaya
- mango
5. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- oily fish (including mackerel, tuna, salmon, sardines, herring, and trout)
- flaxseed
- walnuts
♥ Natural remedies to de-stress
Inhaling certain scents has been shown to have immediate stress relief effects by uplifting moods, reducing anxiety and adding focus and concentration. Released chemicals can affect the brain, promoting feelings of relaxation, calmness and excitement. Popular oils for stress relief and mental fatigue include lavender, cypress and rosemary.
Lavender oil can help promote both relaxation and sleep, and helps speed up our skin renewal. Inhaling this or dropping it onto your pillow, bath or tissue can help you drift off. It can be a great skin soother with antiseptic and antibacterial properties, so is very useful to treat minor grazes, stings and sun burn.
Why not create your own home remedy scrub? Soothing lavender scrub is great for exfoliating your arms and legs and fabulous to use before fake tan.
Remedy scrub: What you’ll need….
Mix 1 cup of granulated sugar, 6 spoonfuls of melted coconut oil or light olive oil, 6 drops of lavender essential oil and a generous amount of dried lavender flowers. Mix altogether into a jar which kept in a cool place will last around a month. This smells gorgeous and acts as a wonderful body scrub which will leave you feeling super soft.
♥ Me time
Dedicated time for yourself will really promote wellbeing. Each individual will have their own examples of ‘me time’ depending on their specific interests and hobbies. Some people may choose to read a book for pleasure, whereas others may prefer to go out for a run. Bride-to-be’s will really benefit from ‘me time’. We know this can be difficult with daily life stresses and tasks getting in the way. However, taking time for yourself doesn’t mean it will be time consuming. A bubble bath or calming walk daily are examples of how you can fit some me time into your life.
♥ Break from technology
Taking time to turn off the TV and put down your mobile will really help you destress and get swept up in the media panic at the moment. Of course it’s important to be up to date with current news around the world, but make sure you take some time out to detach from technology and do something to help you relax.
Remember, try not to panic, things will work out. Don’t cancel your wedding it can still go ahead. Pause. Breath. Let’s stay safe, act with kindness and stay connected.
