One of my all-time favourite movies to help bring on the holiday cheer is the Anne Hatheway and Kate Hudson starrer- Bride Wars. Not a quintessential holiday movie (just a disclaimer before I am cancelled, for reckless behaviour). And I would even go out on a limb to call this 2009 comedy a cult classic (trigger warning for movie buffs). For the unversed, the story follows the lives of two BFFs, Liv and Emma, who have their hearts set on the same wedding venue. This leads to manic confusion, the protagonists sparring, intricate planning to upstage the former best friend-turned-enemy in concern and endless shenanigans —hilarity ensues.
Not to over-analyse a tutti-fruity romcom, I grew to love as a naive teen. But over the last few years, rewatching the movie has made me realise the rollercoaster of emotions one sets out with wedding planning. And somehow, the gags aren't as funny, but the stress is palpable through the screen. It's nerve-wracking, to say the least-the sense of anticipation and excitement leading up to the wedding day is bound to take a toll on the people involved in the ceremony. Especially if you are a bride-to-be, I could only imagine the stress (physical, emotional and mental) that you might be enduring to ensure that all D-day activities are executed with no hiccups.
Now, I may have embraced "No-Man-November" with fervour but for all the women who will soon be embarking on this journey of Holy Matrimony— here is a list of things you could turn to help alleviate stress and help your all-rounded wellness.
1. Stay Hydrated, Queens!
A little wine to help calm those nerves may seem like a good idea (indulge at your discretion), but don’t forget to keep your body fed and watered. Consuming anywhere between 8 to 10 glasses of water is not only important to get the iridescent LIT from within glow for your skin, but also helps boost your metabolism and beats episodes of fatigue!
2. Carve Out Some ME time
While it may seem impossible to carve out some me-time for yourself, amidst wedding preparations — it ought to be prioritised. Take at least half an hour to yourself, especially in the week leading up to the wedding to disconnect from the madness unravelling on the outside. Light a few scented candles, practise your skincare routine or just unwind by getting a relaxing massage!
3. No More Counting Sheep
Experiencing sleepless nights before the ceremony is nothing out of the blue, for a to-be-bride. But it is crucial for your well-rounded wellness to get at least 7 hours of sleep every night. Sleep deprivation may lead to lethargy, affecting the brain’s retention power and eventually the skin is also bound to catch up. The dermis prioritises the reconstruction of skin and shedding of dead skin cells as we snooze. To avoid any bouts of inflammation, redness and dark circles (caused by the surge of blood volume in the vessels) make sure you are well rested!
4. Food For The Soul
While most brides-to-be would have an extensive exercise regimen in place already, we recommend opting for a physical activity like stretching, yoga or even meditating in the days leading up to the big day— whatever helps you break from the cycle of the wedding planning and the episodes of excessive stress. More than your outward appearance, maintaining an active lifestyle helps improve the blood circulation, bodes well for your skin and also is food for the soul. Committing to even 30 minutes of your favourite activity is bound to improve your mood by leaps and bounds. Pre-wedding blues, who, what?
