The lead up to your big day can come with an extensive to-do list and, let’s face it, a lot of stress. Wedding planning is the perfect opportunity to learn how to manage stress and adopt habits to live an overall happy and healthy life with your new spouse! To help get you started, I’ve compiled a list of four solutions for some of the biggest concerns when it comes to stress management for brides. 

Meditate

Meditation is a great skill to learn before your wedding and is a great way to relieve stress and anxiety. Practicing meditation doesn’t have to be as daunting or time-consuming as it may seem. It can be as simple as intentionally focusing completely on one thing, like your breath or your five senses, instead of fixating on the anxious thoughts in your head (like the dreaded seating chart). If you need help getting started, consider downloading a guided meditation app like Headspace or signing up for a local yoga class that includes meditation in their practice. Once you get in the habit, you’ll find your wedding planning days, and the years after, will be just a little less stressful. 

Exercise and eat well

You are vowing to support your partner in sickness and in health, so wouldn’t it be nice if we could keep the moments of “sickness” to a minimum? Developing a healthy lifestyle with your partner now will set you up for years of marital bliss and memories ahead. 

Did you know that many people, on average, gain around 25 pounds within their first five years of marriage? The older we get, the more our metabolisms slow down. The more invested we become in our jobs and families, the less active we become in our day-to-day. Weight gain not only takes a toll on confidence, but it also increases the risk of developing diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer. If you’re a couple who’s not naturally active or doesn’t pay much attention to nutrition, consider signing up for a personalized weight loss program like WW to keep you accountable while you learn how to make a habit of healthy living. 

Get rest

Getting the recommended eight hours of sleep (or close to it) every night is not only important for feeling healthy and confident on your wedding day, but it’s a good habit to carry with you for the rest of your life. Lack of sleep can lead to weight gain and disease, and can also leave us feeling groggy and irritable throughout the day, especially if you’ve been getting inadequate sleep for a while. 

Get more sleep by opting to get in bed early and read instead of binging a show on Netflix and drinking caffeine-free lavender tea. If you still need an extra boost, take a melatonin vitamin a half hour before getting in bed. The extra beauty sleep will definitely come in handy for your wedding photos, and all the other pictures you plan on taking with your future spouse.

Don’t sweat the small stuff

Sometimes plans (big or small) will fall through for reasons that are beyond us, but it’s important to remember that there is still so much to be grateful for. If you find that you can’t help but stress over the small details, consider taking some time to step away from planning (and Pinterest) to spend time with your fiance to remember what your wedding day is truly about. 

Letting go of the small things that are out of your control is a great habit to have well after wedding planning has come and gone so that you can live a happy life with minimal stress. If this is something you continue to struggle with despite your best efforts, consider hiring a wedding planner or seeking counseling. A little help every now and again can make it easier for you to enjoy the happier parts of your wedding, as well as the happier parts of your life.