The planning stage of a wedding can feel downright exhausting since there are so many things you need to take into account, from the venue to the guest list and from the menu to the flower arrangements. It is understandable to want everything to look as perfect as possible. After all, your wedding day is supposed to be and feel special. However, having to take care of all these aspects with no breaks in between can be challenging, as it will leave you feeling absolutely burned out. As a result, instead of being ready to celebrate and party, you might just want to take a nap or go on a long trip to decompress instead.
You don’t want to feel tired or irritated during your wedding day, and you definitely don’t want to have the nagging feeling of wishing the whole ceremony was done already so that you can finally rest. But in order to make sure that you’re feeling well both physically and emotionally during the big day, you will have to prepare yourself accordingly. Sleeping a little more the day before the ceremony isn’t enough; you need to have a comprehensive wellness routine and stick with it as much as possible. Here are a few of the things you should consider.
Stress management
Stress is common before any big event, so you shouldn’t be surprised if you end up feeling its effects as well. However, it is imperative to keep negative feelings under control. Apart from the emotional effects, stress can also negatively impact your physical well-being, leading to headaches (the result of tense muscles and a clenched jaw), muscle aches, increased heart rate, trouble breathing, and rashes. Over the long term, your body’s natural defenses will suffer as your immune system becomes unbalanced and dysregulated.
In extreme cases, excessive worrying can make it impossible (or at least very uncomfortable) for you to wear your gown, as stress is known to cause bloating as well. If your wedding dress has an intricate, corseted bodice, you can only imagine how it would end up feeling. A mermaid dress that fits you as a sheath (a very popular style among brides over the last few years) is more likely to make you feel self-conscious instead of confident in your body. Even though these gowns tend to be embroidered and highly ornate, you’ll most likely struggle to remember this simply because you don’t feel well.
To ensure you don’t end up feeling stressed and overwhelmed, make sure to delegate tasks from the very beginning. This isn’t only more relaxing, but it can also help solve things more efficiently, as it’s not a single person using all their mental power to the max. Mindfulness, deep breathing, going out in nature, and focusing on your hobbies for a while can all help you regain your balance when you feel like there’s too much on your plate and remind you to take things slowly.
Exercise
When you move your body, you do so much more than maintain a healthy weight and stay in shape. Working out allows you to feel more in tune with your body and boosts your confidence, all while giving your immune system a boost as well. This is achieved by your immune cells, which can circulate more freely through your body as a result of the movement, decreasing inflammation and targeting pathogens much more efficiently. You can get your bridesmaids and the rest of the wedding party to exercise with you as well.
Not only will it help keep you motivated when you feel like giving up, but it is also important for them to feel good on the wedding day as well. If anyone is dealing with a chronic condition, a few adjustments might have to be made to the standard routine in order to accommodate them, but it’s well-known that movement can reduce the severity of many symptoms. You should try to cut back on cortisol as much as possible, though, so make sure your workouts are well-balanced. Also known as the stress hormone, it is responsible for high blood pressure and weight gain, so alternate high-intensity training (which can spike levels for a short time), with milder exercises.
The proper nutrition
If you’re not used to eating breakfast, you might want to consider changing your habits. Having protein early in the morning can prevent you from snacking excessively throughout the rest of the day, so incorporate fish, lean meats, eggs, dairy, tofu, legumes, and nuts into your first meal of the day to have plenty of energy throughout the day as well as healthier eating habits overall. You should get all the essential vitamins and minerals as they support all your body’s functions, support normal cellular functions, and assist your overall health.
Magnesium is particularly important during times of elevated stress as it helps you adapt to the challenging surroundings. You can find it in spinach, edamame, dark chocolate, tofu, peanut butter, bananas, avocado, potatoes, dairy products, and chia seeds. Remember that staying hydrated is crucial as well. Unfortunately, many people disregard the importance of drinking enough water throughout the day. It regulates your appetite, helps with your digestion and immune system, and plumps out your skin, giving you a dewy look.
If drinking water on its own doesn’t sound appealing to you, you can add berries or mint to it. Not only will it make the taste more palatable, but it can also add a little extra to your daily nutrition.
The bottom line
Taking care of yourself before your wedding is crucial. It is the only way to look and feel like the best version of yourself. It’s also not wrong to pamper yourself during this time with a more comprehensive and luxurious skincare routine or by going to the spa to unwind. Remember to sleep well, too. Aim for at least eight hours per night for the best effects and take naps as well if you feel the need to.
If you take care of yourself, you will definitely feel like a million bucks during the big day.
