Planning a wedding can be fun, but for most people, it's also incredibly stressful. Practicing good self-care during this process is vital to your well-being.
Delegate Your Tasks
One way to take care of yourself during the planning phase is to realize that just because it's your wedding, that doesn't mean you have to do all the work. If you are not used to asking for help, this is a great time to practice, because planning a wedding takes a lot of effort. Involving others not only takes some of the pressure off you but also lets your loved ones be a more integral part of the process and thus the memories of your special day.
The easiest way to delegate is to hire a wedding planner. You make all the decisions; someone else carries them out. If you want to be more involved, you can enlist the help of friends. Traditionally, the maid of honor and bridal party take care of a lot of the grunt work of the wedding. Even if your ceremony isn't going to include these roles, however, you can still gather a group of friends to assist with the preparations. Take care of yourself by asking for help.
Monitor Your Health
Extra stress can wreak havoc on your body. The busyness that wedding planning adds to your life can compound this effect by leaving you less time for self-care. This does not mean you need to go on a diet to improve the pictures on your wedding day — you will look wonderful no matter what because you are happy. But taking care of your body helps you feel wonderful, too.
Don't just assume that, during stressful times, you will stick to healthy habits:
- Regular, nutritious meals
- Frequent exercise
- Adequate sleep
- Proper hydration
Keep track of how you're doing. It can be as simple as a daily checklist you keep on your refrigerator or a journal in which you jot notes every night. Use whatever method works best so you can pay attention to how well you're staying on track.
Compartmentalize Your Time
Your relationship needs a wedding-free zone, and so do other aspects of your life. After all, you are not just planning a wedding. You probably still have responsibilities at work. It's also important to continue to make time for your significant other, family and friends that does not revolve around the big day. As an added bonus, taking the time to focus on the other parts of your life when you need to gives you the regular mental break from planning that you most likely need to stay grounded.
You don't have to declare a moratorium on all wedding talk when you have a night out with friends. Answer questions and be excited about it, but also remember to ask questions about what's going on with their lives, too. Fight the urge to look at your wedding website during the workday to maintain your focus. Schedule regular date nights with your partner, and set aside time when you can focus just on yourselves and not the wedding.
Accept Your Feelings
No one wants to be seen as Bridezilla (or Groomzilla, for that matter). The stress of planning a wedding has the reputation of driving typically mild-mannered people over the edge, producing somewhat monstrous results. It can be just as harmful to overcompensate by denying the effect that stress is having on you, though.
Be honest with friends when they ask how you are doing. Schedule extra appointments with your therapist to deal with any extra anxiety you may be experiencing. Allowing yourself to experience your feelings gives you a chance to deal with them.
No matter what tactics you use to take care of yourself, the most important thing is that you remember to do so. Good self-care helps you accomplish everything you need to do without letting your to-do list have a negative effect.
