Four Quick Ways to De-Stress

Stop wedding stress in its tracks with these four easy relaxation techniques.

Every bride-to-be has been there: Juggling the myriad items on your to-do list, feeling your tension ratchet up to a scary level, and thinking that you’ll truly snap if just one more thing happens. At such times you’re on stress overload and operating in reactive mode. “That’s when we’re likely to make the wrong decision or say something we regret,” says Sadie Nardini, founder of Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga.

Nardini, who recently made the trip down the aisle herself, points out that even small weddings can provoke usually calm families to become emotional, anxious and tense. “For almost any wedding there are lots of expectations and lots of people involved,” says Nardini, “The best thing to do is take a moment to pause.” It’s the only way to cut through the swirl of anxiety and emotion, she says.

Not surprisingly Nardini’s favorite relaxation technique is to take a stress-busting yoga class. But if you don’t have the time or the inclination, try something convenient and quick that works for you.

Here are four quick routes to stress relief:

Take some deep breaths.

Find a comfortable seat in a private room and deeply and slowly inhale through your nose. Focus on relaxing your shoulders, neck and face as you breathe in, and releasing them further even as you strongly and evenly exhale. Be sure to make your exhale slightly longer than your exhale.

Do seated cat pose and cow pose.

In a cross-legged position with you hands on your knees, arch your back and lengthen you neck on the inhale. On the exhale round over and let your neck gently drop.

Go for a walk.

The great thing about walking is you don’t even need “exercise” clothes. Just lace up some walking shoes, breathe in the fresh air, and put your legs in motion.

Call a friend.

Put a call into your favorite speed dial buddy and find out what’s going on with her. By the time you’re done, you’ll have new perspective on your own life.

Anxiety, even during wedding planning, doesn’t need to get the best of you. “Do something that reminds you that you’re bigger than the stress and drama,” says Nardini. “And that the main purpose of the wedding is to celebrate that you found someone to spend the rest of your life with.”

[Need some help facing down holiday food temptation? For help, read The Bride's Guide to Holiday Eating: 10 Get-Thin Tips.]

What’s your favorite stress-relieving activity? Tell us, we’d love to hear!