A Self-Care Guide That Will Prepare You For Your Big Day
Wedding planning can feel nonstop from the moment you start. From wedding dress shopping to creating a seating chart. There is so much to do, and so little time to check in with yourself. However, your self-care shouldn't take a backseat in your life—especially not before your big day. Engaging in self-care can lessen and eliminate stress, and nothing ruins a day more than unnecessary stress.
If you’re struggling to find any time for you then here is a self-care guide that will leave you feeling prepared and ready for the big day.
Find Your Skincare Routine
Having your skin look flawless and glowing is a crucial aspect of your ideal look for your wedding day—nobody wants blemishes showing up in their pictures. However, before you can achieve your wedding day glow, you have to find the skincare routine that works best for you, and that can handle any wedding prep stress that will affect your skin.
In order to get your skin in perfect condition, give yourself time to test out different products and create a solid routine. Ideally you would want to start experimenting a year before your wedding, that way you can also work in professional facials and products you might be nervous to try out. This way if your skin reacts poorly you have time to make adjustments to your skincare routine. Some great sustainable options are out there as well! You can check out places like yoppie.com for a quick assessment of your skin and what it may be craving.
You should also consider scheduling an appointment with a dermatologist to help you better evaluate a strategy for achieving your skincare goals. Skincare is an excellent form of self-care, as it gives you time to reflect and spend quality time with yourself, which will help boost your confidence and self image.
Think Ahead (& Of Your Head)
Now that you’ve got your skincare down, it’s time to focus on your hair’s health! Regardless if you have your wedding day hairstyle picked and ready, you still want to make sure your hair’s health is on point. Taking care of your hair will promote healthy growth and reduce the chances of premature hair loss.
Start by minimizing the amount of heat you apply to your hair. Then look into choosing a shampoo and conditioner that helps style your hair without heat. If your hair is on the drier side, a moisturizing shampoo will do the trick. Towel drying might be your preferred method but it can actually cause breakage, so toss that towel for a cotton T-shirt to prevent frizz and breakage.
Just like with your skincare, if you suffer from hair loss or balding, the time to address it is months in advance. Thinning hair caused by stress or overall health can cause low self-esteem and anxiety, and that’s the last thing you want to be dealing with on a day filled with pictures. Luckily, a topical treatment like minoxidil can help ease the stress by promoting new hair growth, so be sure to get ahead of this issue and treat it in advance. Weddings are a high-stress situation, so when you take care of insecurities ahead of time you will feel more prepared to handle the day.
Spread The Love & The Work
It’s your wedding, so of course you’re going to want to take on as much responsibility as possible to ensure your magical day is everything you could have hoped for. However, be wary that you aren’t taking on too much, and spreading yourself too thin.
Taking on too much will cause you to burn out before your wedding day even starts, so make sure you regulate tasks to help take some of the pressure off of you. Utilize your bridesmaids and groomsmen as much as possible. Whether it’s helping you with any DIY projects or running errands, they are there to help you and be your support system.
If you have it in your budget then consider hiring a wedding planner to help you keep everything on track and fight for your vision when you need some relaxation time. They are experts, so they have a better understanding of the overall process and how to handle the mishaps that are bound to happen. A wedding planner will also coordinate your whole day, leaving you more time to focus on the actual ceremony.
Focus On Your Mindset
A big part of self-care is managing your overall health, and checking in with yourself as much as possible. It’s easy to get swept up in the wedding and all the preparation but don’t allow it to hinder your mental health.
Wedding planners or not, preparing for any major event is stressful, so it’s vital you focus on your mental health. Take mental breaks away from the wedding prep by having a movie night with your best friends or planning a date night with your fiance. Let loose with the people you love, and don't be afraid to ask to shut down any wedding talk, and focus on other things.
Find activities or hobbies that will also help you unwind, like yoga or meditation, to help keep you centered and manage any stress. Self-care starts from the inside, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to rejuvenate and relax.
Managing your self-care routine during your wedding planning is integral to reducing your stress before the big day. Simply taking the time to focus on yourself, even if it’s in preparation for your wedding day, will help you feel more relaxed and prepared for the unexpected.