Stress not only takes away from the joy of your big day, it also has health repercussions. It can cause weight gain, make it difficult to regulate emotions, and even increase the risk of physical problems like high blood pressure. You want to show up on your wedding day looking and feeling your best—not a stressed-out mess. Follow these tips to get your health back on track before you walk down the aisle.
Incorporate Exercise Into Wedding Planning
Exercise is a proven stress-reliever. It promotes the production of feel-good endorphins in the brain and gives your cardiovascular system a workout. Breaking a sweat also promotes healthy circulation and can give you the glowing skin you want when you're standing at the altar. With the cake testings, dress fittings, and other tasks demanded by wedding prep, you may not find time to exercise—so find ways to incorporate activity into your actual planning.
Meeting with your maid of honor to discuss music selections for the after-party? Turn it into an impromptu dance party as you preview various tracks. Seeing your wedding planner to update floral arrangements? Ask if you can go for a walk while you discuss the details. Even a trip to the cake shop can provide some extra exercise if you park at the far end of the lot and snag some extra steps from your car to the entrance.
Add a Multivitamin Into Your Diet
Eating healthy is difficult when you're busy. You may find yourself more tempted to stop for a bite of fast food on the way home from wedding planning appointments or be tempted to simply order a pizza when you get back. Try to stick to a balanced diet with plenty of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and lean proteins like chicken and fish.
Even with stringent attention to what you're eating, you may not be getting the minerals and vitamins you need to boost your energy and feel your best overall. Look for multivitamins with bioavailable forms of key nutrients. Bioavailability refers to your body’s ability to actually absorb and utilize a nutrient. Try to find a multivitamin that also works to improve your gut health, which is key to improving your overall health.
Carve Out Fifteen Minutes of Quiet Time Every Day
The multitasking that wedding planning demands may leave you feeling frazzled. Set aside some time every day to do absolutely nothing. Simply sit still with your thoughts and focus on your breathing. Meditation can lower heart rate and calm nerves, even if you are only doing it for 15 minutes per day. You will find yourself feeling calmer afterward.
To enhance the experience, add aromatherapy to your timeout period. As Psychology Today explains, scents strongly influence emotions. Look for essentials oils in aromas like lavender or orange, which have been shown to have calming effects. Lemon is even shown to help improve quality of sleep, which can help with pre-wedding insomnia.
Focus on Enjoying Your Big Day
With the above tips, you will show up to the altar looking and feeling refreshed and radiant. Keep those good vibes running by focusing on enjoying the big day instead of documenting it. Studies have shown that 84% of millennial brides turn to social media on the day of their wedding, but worrying about the perfect filter can exacerbate anxiety. Instead, let your professional photographer do their job, and just focus on enjoying your moment.
Featured guest post from Sheila Olson of fitsheila.com