Your All-in-One Guide to Pre-Wedding Wellness
| 3 min read
Did you get engaged over the holidays? Congratulations! You’re about to enter one of the most exciting—and stressful—times of your life. That’s because in addition to picking venues and narrowing down guest lists, you’re probably also wondering how fit and svelte you can look before the wedding.
While it might be tempting to make extreme changes to your diet and exercise routine, try not to. You’ll see more long-lasting results if you make smaller tweaks you can keep up with long after the big day. On top of that, establishing healthy habits will keep your immune system strong, energy levels high and mood lifted (after all, you want to be happy and healthy when you walk down the aisle!). Here are four areas to focus on:
- Make Smart Diet Decisions: Don’t fall into the trap of crash dieting to drop a ton of weight before the wedding. Though it may be tempting to cut way back on calories to slim down quickly, crash diets can slow your metabolism, make you tired and irritable, weaken your immune system and possibly lead to significant weight gain when you return to your normal eating habits. A better idea: Focus on what you should add to your diet to give you good nutrition, like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats. And when you crave something indulgent, whip up something healthier, say by sneaking avocado into a decadent chocolate mousse.
- Focus on Fitness: Not only will establishing a regular fitness routine help you look your best on your wedding day, but it will also improve your mood, boost energy, help you sleep better and relieve stress. Find a few activities you enjoy, like spinning, yoga or a sculpting class, and commit to a realistic weekly schedule. For some extra motivation, ask your partner or a friend to work out with you. You can help each other stay accountable (it’s a lot harder to hit snooze when you know someone is waiting for you to work up a sweat).
- Get Your Rest: Catching up on sleep while planning a wedding may seem unrealistic—there’s so much to do!—but getting at least seven hours of sleep each night will make you more focused during the day, regulate your moods and strengthen your immune system. These tips will make it easier to get enough quality sleep each night.
- Mind Your Mental Health: The many emotions that come with planning a wedding and preparing for a major life change can be a lot to handle. Staying organized, delegating responsibilities when you can and making time to relax and recharge can make the whole process a lot more positive for you and your spouse-to-be. Even a few minutes spent meditating at night or writing in a gratitude journal can help keep anxiety and stress at bay. If your anxiety doesn’t show signs of improving, consider seeking help from a licensed mental health professional, such as a psychologist. Remember to be patient with yourself, stay positive and keep things in perspective. Despite the pressures of planning a major event and balancing expectations from family and friends, you are embarking on a new life with someone you love.
Photo Credit: pxhere.com
