Soothe body and mind
If you take care of yourself, planning your wedding becomes a welcome challenge, not a burden. Here’s how to promote harmony between body and mind:
• Cut down on carbs and bump up the protein. A protein shake with digestive enzymes can help level off that anxious feeling—plus, the mix lasts longer than a sugar fix.
• Take a stress-formula supplement. Choose one with all the B-vitamins, plus minerals like magnesium, iron, potassium and zinc. Some contain gingko, which helps increase blood flow to the brain.
• Walk away your tension. Just three times a week for 30 minutes will do the trick.
• Explore aromatherapy. Lavender, camomile, clary sage or lemon can be calming. Light an aromatherapy candle, or add some aromatherapy beads to your bath and listen to a relaxing CD.
Pamper your skin breakouts
Dry, dull and sallow skin are all signs of stress, reports aesthetician Jeanet Allinson of Toronto’s Jeanet Spa & Salon. She offers these helpful tips:
• Stay hydrated. Drink six to eight glasses of water each day.
• Exfoliate regularly to remove skin-cell build up.
• To dry out pimples, use a product containing zinc oxide.
• If you have dark circles under your eyes, try an overnight cucumber eye mask.
• Get a glow on with a glycolic peel every six weeks, and set up an appointment a week before your wedding.
Salvage your hair
“Stress tightens the scalp, affecting blood circulation,” notes Dominic Ianuzzi, co-owner of the Epoca Hair Group in Toronto. Here’s Ianuzzi’s prescription:
• Ask your stylist for a scalp massage. It’s relaxing and helps promote blood circulation that results in healthier, shinier hair.
• Treat yourself to a deep oil treatment for extra shine and vitality.
• To achieve instant sheen—and a psychological lift—opt for a gloss. This is applied like colour, but there are no chemicals.
• Have colour done a week before the ceremony, so you won’t have to worry about your roots showing.
Sustain your spirit
Take a breath break. “Even three mindful breaths can help in a stressful moment,” says physician-psychotherapist Dr. Lucinda Sykes. And it’s easy to do:
• Decide how long you will be on a breath break. Release all other thoughts and be present with your breath. You are one.
• Sit in a relaxed upright posture, hands resting on your knees. Experience yourself as present in the room, noting sounds and smells without thinking about them.
• Don’t change your breathing or think about it. Stay with your direct physical experience.
• When thoughts or feelings distract you (as they will), just notice this and turn your attention back to your breath. It’s not necessary to stop or change your thoughts. Feel each breath as though for the first time. You will notice immediate relaxation.
• Practice often. Five mindful breaths can rejuvenate you during the workday or any day.
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