If you’re in the middle of wedding planning, chances are you’ve had more than a few sleepless nights and harrowing, stress-filled days where it seems as if nothing is going according to your vision. Maybe there’s a family member causing tension, the threat of less-than-ideal weather is looming on the horizon, or just the general piling up of wedding responsibilities is starting to get to you. No matter the cause, it’s important to remember those feelings you have are indeed real—and science backs that up.
According to online wedding registry, planner and retailer Zola, 96 percent of engaged and newlywed couples they surveyed found the entire wedding planning process incredibly stressful. That leaves a measly 4 percent who were likely lying because their mother-in-law was standing next to them.
Drilling down further into that survey, it was found that 47 percent of couples contemplated canceling their formal affair in favor of eloping; 71 percent said planning a wedding was more stressful than other major life events; and 86 percent said they suffered stress-induced maladies, such as skin breakouts, hair loss, insomnia, and headaches.
Sounds like fun, doesn’t it? But while you’re facing off with nuptial-caused nervous breakdowns, it’s important to remember that, truth be told, it’s worth it. You are busy visiting Long Island catering halls and event venues because you want the very best setting for your special day. You are compiling playlist after playlist because you want the ideal soundtrack on your wedding day. And you are contending with the arduous guest list because you want the perfect group of family and friends present for the celebration.
Of course, hearing that it will be worth in the end doesn’t help you right now. And even reading this article might be stressing you out as we speak. So in the interest of unburdening yourself for even a sliver of time during the wedding planning, try a few of these tips to de-stress and give yourself a little breather.
Disconnect From Everything
Constantly being plugged in via social media is stressful even without factoring in your currently fragile state of wedding planning. Even if it’s for a short chunk of the day, it might be worth turning the phone off, closing the laptop, and generally disconnecting from the electronic world. There’s often far too much in the way of wedding stimulation constantly being thrown your way once your search engine learns you are in the midst of planning a wedding day—ads pop up on your social media feed, in your email, and on the different sites you’re visiting. Take a break from all that noise by taking a walk in nature, going to the beach, or simply lying down in a quiet, darkened room.
Go On A Cleaning Spree
Only a select group of people actually enjoy the act of cleaning. Getting on your hands and knees scrubbing the bathtub or dusting those hard-to-reach places isn’t exactly what one thinks of when considering how to relax, but when your mind is working overtime on personalized vows, catering menus, and floral arrangements, the act of cleaning can be highly therapeutic. Getting rid of clutter in your room, organizing your closet or living space, and yes, even zoning out while dusting or cleaning bathroom tiles, can help you regain a sense of control if things are busy spiraling out.
Just Say No
While planning your wedding, you are going to realize you have precious little free time in your schedule. You’ll also find that everyone wants you to hang out and talk about the wedding. While they might mean well—and even promise to provide some wine—you should in no way feel obligated to attend every single get-together in the run-up to your wedding. Declining invites to certain events doesn’t mean you are flaking out on your friends and family, either. Instead, this is simply you taking control of your time and getting the message across that right now, you have to keep all the running around to a minimum.
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That Said, Have A Drink
- Of course, there are times when going out and seeing your friends is exactly what the doctor ordered—especially when those friends are accompanied by a drink or two. Responsibly enjoying a few adult beverages can help blow off some steam, especially when your soon-to-be significant other isn’t there and you can feel free to vent without hurting anyone’s feelings. And that doesn't have to entail being mean spirited, but sometimes you just have something to say about certain members of your partner’s family or circle of friends that you’d rather not say in front of them.
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Delegate Responsibilities
- When the stress of wedding planning begins to take over, perhaps the most constructive action you can take is to ask for help. Of course, this doesn’t come naturally to everyone. If you’re the type of person who is used to handling everything on your own, there comes a time when you need to swallow your dignity, step up, and ask one of your bridesmaids or groomsmen to handle a particular task. This could be something as simple as crafting a seating arrangement chart or devising your choice of wedding favors. If there is anything anyone can do to help you avoid any undue mental anguish, it’s time to identify it and start delegating, right now.
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Takeaway
