How to Relax When Wedding Planning Gets the Best of You
I've said it before and I'll say it again--wedding planning is STRESSFUL. At times it can be downright overwhelming. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your sanity is to sit down, take a break and try to relax. Unfortunately, sometimes when we bride-to-be's sit down to relax, it just isn't possible. Our minds start racing with everything that still needs to be done, scheduled or bought. Sometimes it's hard to turn your mind off. So, here are a few ideas to help shut off your busy-bride mind and focus on relaxing. Do one, do two, do them all. Whatever works best for you.
A Bubble Bath
One of the most obvious ways to try to relax is to take a nice, hot bubble bath. If you really want to relax, combine it with one or two of the items below as well. Want to take it a step further? Get some lavender bubble bath and some luxurious lavender bath salts. Lavender is known to help reduce anxiety and emotional stress and help calm you.
Meditation
Whether you're an expert at meditation or you've never tried it before--give it a go right now. Turn the lights off, get in bed and turn on some guided meditation on your phone. Lay back and relax. There are tons of guided meditations on YouTube, whether you have an hour to spend or even if you only have 10 minutes, you can find the right one for you. Try meditating in your own bed or even going to a relaxing spot somewhere nearby where you won't be bothered.
Get a massage
If you have the money to get a massage, do it! I can't tell you how stress-relieving and relaxing it is to get a massage. Not only will it help while they massage you, but you will be more relaxed for the rest of the day! Make sure that you go to a licensed massage therapist--not one of those mall massage places! You won't regret it!
Listen to Music
Sometimes you forget how relaxing it can be to just lay in bed and listen to music. Turn your lights off, get in bed and turn on your favorite Pandora station (or try one of their many stations for relaxing, like this one!) and just tune the world out, get lost in the music. This is an especially great one if you are limited on the amount of time you have available to relax. Even just 10 minutes will make a world of difference. Don't want to lay around? Dancing can be just as stress relieving (although not quite as relaxing!)
Pamper Yourself at Home
Can't afford a professional massage? That doesn't mean you can't relax and pamper yourself at home. This one can also be combined with nearly all the other ideas in this list. Listen to music with a sheet mask on, or give yourself a mini pedicure after your relaxing bath. Even if you don't combine it with others in this list, putting your feet in a foot spa, using a calming sheet mask on your face and moisturizing gloves on your hands can be soooo relaxing!
Float Spa
You've likely never heard of this and it might sound totally crazy at first, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try it. There are these really cool spas popping up all over the place called float spas. These spas provide flotation therapy. So, what is flotation therapy? It is basically floating in warm salt water inside a float tank. I know, this sounds crazy but "Imagine yourself, completely weightless, floating like a lily pad on water. As if laying on a cloud, in an almost zero-gravity state, the mind slowly dissolves into relaxation and tranquility." -ClarityFloats. Just google "float spas" or "float therapy" and your city to find one near you!
No-Wedding-Talk Girls' Night
Sometimes the best way to relax is to stop talking about the wedding. If you're not talking about it, maybe you won't think about it as much. Have a girls' night with your besties and don't allow any wedding talk! Get together and watch a movie, go out to dinner, go to a winery--whatever you like to do. Just spend some time reconnecting with your best friends without stressing about the wedding.
No-Wedding-Talk Date Night
While wedding planning, you may find yourself constantly talking to your fiance about wedding stuff. I know, about 6 months into wedding planning I realized that we had not had a single date night since he proposed that didn't involve at least one mention of the wedding. Take a step back. Go out to dinner with your soon-to-be and catch up on everything else in life that has taken a back seat to wedding planning lately. I promise, you won't be sorry!
Get Lost in a Book
One of the best ways to shut off your mind is to lose yourself in a good book. Whether it's a book you've read before, one you've been meaning to read, or one you just found, books can really help calm your mind and transport you to a different world.
