A wedding is one of life's most glorious occasions, but being a bride can have its stressors. There are so many details to keep track of, essential matters to consider, and issues to iron out.
This, along with the pressure of wanting everything to be perfect, can make your well-being the last thing on your mind right now. But the wedding is for you, which is why looking after yourself had better be your topmost priority.
Here are six different ways that you can practice self-care in the days leading up to your wedding.
1. Practice Self-compassion.
Let me define self-compassion first by stating what it is not. It is not to feel pity for yourself, nor to engage in self-indulgent behaviors where ‘anything goes, far from it. It involves extending yourself the same kind of care that you extend to others, particularly those you love. Start by monitoring your self-talk. Quiet any critical voices that send you messages of scarcity that may try to convince you that you are not enough.
Pro-tip: Resist comparing yourself. You are unique just the way you are. Your wedding is unique as well, so practice talking to yourself the way you talk to those you love the most. Be caring, be loving, be understanding with yourself.
2. Practice Meditation
Taking up meditation is perhaps one of the best self-care tips that brides-to-be can practice in the days leading up to their big day. Even a few minutes of clearing your mind and putting yourself at peace can do wonders for your mental health, allowing you to keep cool and calm amid all the issues that will inevitably come up.
If you don't know where to start, then check out mobile apps like Headspace, Calm, and Insight Timer, all of which provided users with professionally developed guided meditations. They even offer a slew of themed sessions, from calming anxiety to reducing stress.
3. Prioritize Rest and Sleep
The value of adequate rest and sleep can't be overstated, but unfortunately, we often tend to put them on the backburner whenever we find ourselves with too many things on our plate.
Your wedding's endless to-do list is undoubtedly keeping you up at night; however, getting enough rest is key to boosting your energy levels and managing your stress. By getting at least eight hours of sleep every night, you'll be able to tackle whatever challenges the wedding planning phase throws at you. Plus, you'll look your best on the big day itself, if there are no dark circles under your eyes!
4. Book a Massage
Booking a day at the spa and pampering yourself is easily one of the best ways to practice self-care before your big day. Planning a wedding is demanding, and you might be surprised by just how much your body is physically manifesting the stress you're under.
Alleviate all the tension in your back, neck, and shoulder muscles by enjoying a nice, long massage. If you're looking to unwind even more, then why not try an aromatherapy session? Using scents like lavender and ylang-ylang, both of which are known stress relievers, will undoubtedly help put your mind at ease too.
5. Get away
It goes without saying that your honeymoon is one of the events you're most looking forward to. If the wedding planning stress is proving to be a bit too much, then going away on a mini-vacation with either your partner or your best friends is highly recommended.
This little break from reality doesn't have to be expensive and can be as simple as renting an Airbnb in another city or going camping for a few days. To help you relax even more, declare the mini-vacation a wedding-free zone and ban your companions from talking about anything related to it.
It is up to you to make the days leading up to your wedding the most joyous moments of your life. With this in mind, prioritize yourself and learn to manage the natural stress that occurs whenever a significant change looms on the horizon. Going into your big day completely relaxed and at peace will show in your glow as you walk down the aisle. Self-care has that kind of an effect. And don’t stop then. Make the practice of self-care an integral part of your life. Glow.
Dr. Liliana Wolf, psychotherapist, former professor of psychology and international relationship expert, has been preparing couples for marriage at her Coral Gables office for over 20 years. She is an approved and certified provider of online premarital courses in all states extending incentives. Favored by couples about to be married, her courses have achieved a consistent 5-star rating, positioning her in the top 1% in sales of online courses by the Teachable platform worldwide. Ranked at the top 1% in the specialty of marriage and family nationwide by HealthGrades, Dr. Wolf is at the top of her game both as a clinician and professor.
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