Chronic stress is an increasingly common issue. Today, 27% of people say they are too stressed to complete basic tasks and 76% say that chronic stress has undermined their health at least once in the past month.
As a bride-to-be, you’re almost certain to be feeling a little anxious during the wedding planning process. Getting everything completed on time can feel like an insurmountable challenge — particularly if you’re helming the wedding organization efforts.
You can’t wave a magic wand and make stress disappear. However, you can utilize stress management techniques to better navigate the pressure you feel. Effective stress management can help you look your best on your wedding day, too, as low-stress living is sure to bring out your best.
Stress, Aging, and Your Skin
Long-term stress is terrible for your mental health and overall well-being. This can have a dramatic impact on your skin and quickly age you before your time. Stress shows on your face with physical changes like:
- Acne: Your body produces cortisol when stressed. This can increase the amount of oil on the surface of your skin and eventually clog your pores.
- Baggy Eyes: Big bags under your eyes are a sure sign of stress and sleep deprivation. This loss of elasticity is a signal that you’re aging quickly, too.
- Rashes: You may be able to conceal some rashes with makeup, but stress-related conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and contact dermatitis shouldn’t be ignored.
- Wrinkles: Stress undermines the role of proteins in your skin and causes your skin to become less elastic. These wrinkles can be even more evident if you spend a lot of your day stuck in a stress-induced scowl.
To date, there are no medicines that can authentically reverse the aging process. However, reducing your stress and improving your mental health are among the most effective anti-aging strategies available to you. Get started on your stress management journey by taking simple steps like:
- Get plenty of restful sleep;
- Exercise regularly;
- Spend time with people you enjoy;
- Practice mindfulness and breathing exercises;
- Laugh often with people you love.
Taking a holistic approach to your mental health can slow the aging process and return your skin to its former glory before the big day.
Hair and Beauty
Radiant hair and glowing locks are a must on your wedding day. However, you may find that the chronic stress associated with wedding planning turns your hair into a frazzled and dull mess. Extreme stress can even cause hair loss due to a condition called telogen effluvium.
Fortunately, telogen effluvium is a reversible condition. Your hair will grow back once you start to better manage your stress as a bride-to-be.
You can supercharge your stress-management routine by taking preventative measures to keep your hair looking youthful. Start by staying hydrated throughout the day and add some collagen to your diet. This will give your body the tools it needs to repair damaged hair. Take care of your scalp, too, by applying hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid improves the elasticity of your skin and reduces your risk of dandruff.
Stress Management
Cosmetic products can give your body a much-needed beautifying boost. However, if you want to look your best on the wedding day, you’ll need to adopt an effective stress management plan to promote your holistic health.
Start by setting aside some time for exercise. Exercise is crucial for your long-term health and can give you a much-needed serotonin boost between wedding planning sessions. Start by setting some achievable exercise goals that motivate you and help you look great. Remember to partner your exercise plan with the appropriate dietary approach, as you’ll need to be in a caloric deficit if you wish to lose weight before the wedding.
Further, reduce your stress by finding better ways to work with your vendors. Start the research process early and make your expectations clear before you bring any external helpers on board. Make use of digital tools to track your plans and give vendors a copy of your digital schedule via apps like Google Calendar.
The bills will wrack up quickly when you start to plan your wedding. Rather than overextending your financial resources, find unique ways to cut costs and maintain your financial security. Consider working with local designers to sew and hem your wedding dress on a budget. This will save you plenty of cash, reduce your financial stress, and ensure that you look your best in a bespoke outfit on the big day.
Conclusion
Effective stress management is crucial when planning your wedding. Start with simple changes, like getting more sleep and taking up an exercise routine. Consider investing in a few cosmetic items, like hyaluronic acid, as this will give your body the tools it needs to recover and repair after a day spent contacting vendors and organizing your after-party.
