You wake up, check the calendar and it’s exactly three months to go before the big day. You are filled with a mixture of nerves and excitement but you can also feel the stress creeping in. Your forehead feels tight and your heart is racing a little. Your to-do list seems to be exponentially growing longer each day. If this sounds familiar, then you need to continue reading for five ways to regain control and lower stress ahead of the big day. After all, no bride wants to speed up the onset of worry lines and a few extra grey hairs, before one of the most special days of her life.
- Learning the art of delegation
Most brides know exactly how they want everything to look, feel, smell, and run on their wedding day and they think the only way they can achieve this is if they involve themselves in every tiny detail. If this sounds like you, then you need to stop, take a step back and delegate. If you are lucky enough to have a wedding planner, then quite frankly, you shouldn’t be involved in a lot of these details. You are paying someone good (and probably a lot of) money to handle the fine details. If you are still trying to control everything then you need to question the point of a wedding planner.
If you don’t have a wedding planner, then the next best thing will be your family and friends. Your bridesmaids, your parents or your fiancé can probably take on some additional tasks. And because they will be just as excited about your day, they are likely to do an exceptional job to make it a success.
Recognise there is only one of you, and there are others who can help to bring your day to life!
- Exercising regularly
Exercise is one of the most amazing and simplest ways to de-stress. Allocating one or two hours a week to your body will do your mind wonders. Working with a personal trainer will mean you get some much-needed me-time and a chance to make sure you prioritise your own physical performance. If you feel body confident on your big day, you will be glowing and naturally feel much happier.
You could also involve others in your workout. Lots of brides like to workout with their partners, or their bridesmaids. You could even exercise with your colleagues so that working out seamlessly becomes a part of your working week.
- Taking time out
It is so imperative that you allocate time to normal activities, that don’t include any wedding planning. Like the example of exercise above, you need to do things that switch off your mind, and that you enjoy. For example, this might be allocating time in the week to wedding planning but making sure Sundays are your day off. No wedding talk, and no wedding planning. This will mean you use the time you are planning much more effectively and with a renewed sense of enthusiasm.
- Making lists
If you aren’t a fan of making lists then you should start! Making lists means you keep track of tasks, you don’t forget ideas and you can stay organised. There is also something therapeutic and calming about brain dumping your thoughts. I like the old-fashioned pen and paper approach.
- Eat smart
When you are feeling stressed, you are so much more likely to reach for comfort food. For some people this might be a sugary treat, for others it may be eating until you are full, and then some more. The main point is that many of us tend to over-indulge when we are feeling stressed. We can almost always guarantee that this isn’t going to make you feel better in the long run. In fact, it will make you feel worse. Whatever your vice, whether it’s smoking, sugar, alcohol or just over-eating, don’t allow this to be your go-to when you are feeling down or stressed.