Manage Wedding Fever
Share this article
Here's how to deal with those pre-wedding energy jags, jumps and slumps.
Image Photo by Abigail Keenan on Unsplash
Article by Jocelyn Bailey
Whether the biggest day of your year is a wedding or another important event, the stress beforehand can have you bouncing off the walls at night instead of sleeping, then feeling like a slug all day when you most need to get things done. When these periods go on for months, how do you cope?
Ali Cullen, A.Vogel nutritional therapist, explains; “When the body perceives any kind of threat, whether it’s physical or mental/emotional, your stress response produces adrenaline and prioritises the systems for successful fight-or-flight. It remains active for a short period, then slumps, leaving you tired, light-headed and unable to concentrate. It also makes you look for quick fixes like sugar, caffeine, nicotine or alcohol to drive blood sugar levels back up. Longer-term anxiety also reduces peaceful sleep, which further impacts energy levels, irritability and even your ability to concentrate.
“The key is to regulate your stress levels so you stay on a relatively even keel, then let natural adrenaline carry you through important moments, including on the big day itself.”
Practise self-care
Manage short periods of stress with A.Vogel’s Passiflora Complex Spray, £12.99 (www.avogel.co.uk), which can be spritzed under the tongue four times a day. Containing a mix of calming passion flower and lemon balm, it works by boosting GABA (gamma-amniobutyric acid) levels in the brain, lowering stressful brain activity and aiding relaxation.
The mind-body connection can also be used to manage your fight-or-flight response. First, slow your breathing with a simple exercise that decelerates your heart rate. (Slowly inhale to a count of four, hold it to the count of five, then exhale through the mouth to a count of seven. Repeat this four times.) Changing posture and facial expression also helps to signal the brain that all is well. Instead of slouching and looking down, straighten up, look up, push your shoulders back and down and smile. It does make a difference.
Professor Margareta James, Founding Director at the Harley Street Wellbeing Clinic, favours psychosensory techniques such as massage, acupuncture and ‘Havening’, which involves self-comforting massage. Cross your arms and gently stroke from shoulders to elbows for about five minutes. It tells the brain that all is well and boosts oxytocin and dopamine to calm you. You can even add a mantra such as, “I feel safe, peaceful and calm”.
Prioritise sleep
If you have trouble sleeping because there’s so much on your mind, Pharmacist Sultan Dajani from Dragonfly CBD, says: “Anxiety and exhaustion from lack of sleep drain energy levels ahead of your big day. Research has shown that CBD improves anxiety and sleep scores within a month, as well as improving sleep quality, restoring energy and balance.” Check out the Dragonfly range of oils and drops on www.dragonflycbd.com.
Essential oils are also helpful. GP Dr Nisa Aslam from Puressentiel, recommends that you: “Make time for relaxation every day, whether it’s having a warm bath, listening to relaxing music or meditation. Try evidence-backed essential oils too, like Puressentiel Rest and Relax Air Spray, £16.90, which contains 12 essential oils including soothing lavender and chamomile. Spray it in the corners of the room when you go to bed. You’ll wake up feeling energised and rebalanced.”
Get your vitamins
Dr Emma Derbyshire from the Health & Food Supplements Information Service (www.hsis.org) advises: In the run-up to your wedding, aim for as healthy a diet as possible. To help you feel energised, make sure you up your B-vitamins, which are essential for releasing energy from food. They should be included in any supplement, such as a multivitamin, or take a separate B-vitamin product.”
“B-vitamins play a vital role in turning food into energy,” explains Medical Nutritionist Dr Naomi Newman-Beinart, “so your daily diet should include eggs, milk, beans, whole grains, lean meat and bananas. However, B12 is only found in animal products so, if you’re trying to eat less meat, try a good quality B-complex supplement, such as BetterYou B-Complete Oral Spray, £11.95 www.amazon.co.uk, which contains all eight B-vitamins, including B12, to support natural energy metabolism.”
Fix minor health hiccups
Look after your general health and control minor health issues and allergies so they don’t wear you down. Remember that some ailments, such as hayfever, can even be treated with drug-free remedies.
Andrew Broch, creator of the Qu-Chi hay fever band, £12.99 from Amazon, says: “When the body thinks it’s being attacked by pollen, it releases chemicals as an allergic response to fight it. This process leaves the body feeling tired and the swelling created can also lead to sleepless nights due to the headaches, itchy eyes and blocked nose. This can make us feel more tired with feelings of ‘brain fog'.” Worn over the elbow, the band uses the principles of acupressure to effectively relieve troublesome symptom
Remember that for many issues, from itchy ears to period cramps, indigestion to eczema, you can often get helpful advice from your pharmacist, not just your GP.
