Getting ready for any special event is a mix of excitement and stress. Whether you’re talking about a wedding or a prom, you can expect the planning and arrangements to wear you down quite a lot, to the point you end up feeling far from your best on the big day. This isn’t anything new. In fact, many people deal with this, but that doesn’t mean that you should accept this situation as something inevitable. Taking care of yourself should be an absolute must, as it will allow you to enjoy the event as well. It can seem selfish at the moment (after all, who has time to unwind and relax when there are so many things to be done?), but neglecting yourself will harm you and those around you in the end.
The exhaustion might catch up with you right at the end so that you’re not able to enjoy the ceremony, and you may end up being irritable and moody around everyone else, putting a damper on their fun as well. If you’ve been feeling swamped searching for the best gown and accessories, scouting for the venue of your dreams, and arranging the menu and guest list, here are some of the self-care tips you should add to your routine to promote your well-being and feel your best during the big day.
Staying hydrated is incredibly important, allowing your skin to look dewy and maintain its elasticity. Making sure you drink enough water each day can also help keep breakouts at bay and reduce the dreaded puffiness that can be so tough to get rid of. However, water isn’t only good for your appearance; it helps your body from the inside as well. It cushions your joints and protects the body’s tissues, transports essential nutrients to your cells, helps with digestion, allows the blood vessels to remain flexible, and reduces the incidence of headaches.
Oral health, appetite control, cognitive function, and mood are all helped by good hydration. However, even though water is good for you, make sure not to overdo it. Water toxicity is a very serious health condition, and while there are no firm guidelines, drinking more than a liter per hour over a longer time is not recommended.
Dealing with stress is common, but if you experience excessive worrying for a long time, you can end up dealing with a lot of negative effects. Depression and anxiety, sleep issues, fatigue, headaches, muscle pains, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, stomach pain, and even skin rashes are common in those who have been dealing with chronic stress. When you think about how you’ll look during your wedding, you most likely have a very clear picture in your mind of the outfit you’ll wear. It might be a voluminous ballgown sewn with pearls or featuring heaps of tulle so that you look like a princess from a fairytale, or an elegant and statuesque column made from taffeta, corded lace, or brocade for additional structure.
If you want your wedding to be more informal, you can definitely go for a tea-length dress, with an ankle-grazing hemline. Just make sure it is made from a beautiful and refined material, such as lace, so that the look is not just comfortable but stylish as well. A-line gowns with bodices that cinch the waist and flare towards the skirt are a classic choice, being universally flattering for all body types and having a slimming effect that can make you appear taller. Empire silhouettes have waistlines that sit right under the bust, creating the visual effect of elongated skirts, which are also popular among petite brides.
But any outfit looks better on a radiant, well-rested bride who isn’t weighed down by stress and worries. Figuring out which stress management error is the best one for you can take a little trial and error, so you should talk to a psychotherapist if the problem is severe. Deep breathing, music, social activity, finding a new hobby, spending time in nature and with your pets, being social, going to the spa, and working out can all be helpful.
Nutrition is very important for your overall well-being. It promotes good health, supports a strong immune system, and gives you the energy necessary to go through everything you have to handle. Many try to diet right before a big event, thinking that this will make them look their best, but more often than not, it isn’t true. In fact, extreme diets can do more harm than good, leading to intense cravings and a slower metabolism as your body perceives that there’s a scarcity of food around and subsequently lowers the rate at which you burn calories.
Having balanced meals will help tremendously, so make sure to add protein, fiber, and healthy carbs to your meals leading up to the big day. Fruit, veggies, fish, peanut butter toast, whole-grain bagels with cream cheese, hard-boiled eggs, Greek yogurt, granola, and tofu are just a few of the foods you should consider eating as you’re getting ready, since they’ll keep you nourished without making you feel uncomfortably full.
When you have a lot of things to do, it is tempting to sleep less to get more done. While it can seem like a good idea (as you tell yourself you’ll catch up on sleep later), the truth is that this can have very serious repercussions for your health. You should aim for at least 8 hours of sleep every night in order to be well-rested throughout the day. Sleep is, in fact, an activity when it comes to maintaining your health. It regulates your mood, helps with your concentration, reduces your likelihood of developing chronic illnesses, and supports your immune system.
Getting ready before a big event such as your wedding is no simple thing. There are so many things you need to have in order that it is easy to forget you need to take care of yourself as well. Remember that your health and happiness are crucial as well, and that you won’t be able to have a good time and make the most of this special moment if you don’t feel your best.
