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Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Let Your Light Shine: Internal Self-Care for Brides

Today we have a wonderful guest post from Rebekah Holbrook, registered Yoga Teacher in Richmond, VA. She offers some great tips for staying balanced while planning your wedding.
Finding the perfect dress and hiring professionals to do your hair and makeup will help you look radiant on your wedding day. But what about your inner light? How will you make sure that is shining? Don’t let planning a wedding leave you feeling burned out. Keep glowing with these tips for staying relaxed leading up to the big day.
1. Breathe. racticing an even, steady, breath calms the nervous system, signaling to your body and your brain that you can relax. et a timer on your phone to alert you several times per day. When the alarm sounds, stop what you are doing, find a comfortable sitting or standing position, close your eyes, and breath deeply in and out of your nose for one minute. You’ll feel calmer immediately.
2. Get quiet. ngagement parties, bachelorette weekends, and daily communication with vendors can leave even the most extroverted bride feeling depleted. Make some time each week to engage in a quiet activity such as yoga, prayer, or meditation. Use this time to tune out the chatter, and tune into you.
3. Listen to your body. f done mindfully, orking out more consistently before the wedding day can help you feel healthier, sexier, and happier. The key is to listen to what your body needs, so you don’t over-do it. If you feel a cold coming on, skip the early morning barre class for an extra hour of sleep. Have a minor injury? Follow the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate). Play it safe leading up to the big day, and your body will thank you!
4. Acknowledge how you feel. etting married is a major milestone. During any time of transition, it is normal to feel uncertain or scared. But anxiety about the wedding may have more to do with past experiences than your present relationship. Recognize your feelings, through journaling, talk therapy, or conversations with people you trust. Acknowledging your past can help you move more gracefully into the future.
5. Practice gratitude. eople who consistently practice gratitude have stronger immune systems and more positive emotions. During the wedding planning process, keep a gratitude journal, writing down one thing each day for which you are thankful. Not only will it make you feel better now, it will be a beautiful memento from this special time in your life that you can reflect on for years to come.
Rebekah Holbrook, Registered Yoga Teacher, teaches onsite yoga classes for brides and bridal parties through Ceremony Yoga. Ceremony Yoga classes are accessible to all levels and help brides stay calm and connected during the planning process and on the big day. To learn more, please visit ceremonyyoga.com.