8 Pre-Wedding Health Tips That Have Nothing to Do With Weight Loss

The year leading up to your big day is no-doubt going to be busy and jam-packed with plenty of important appointments, and some of those should be designated to following certain pre-wedding health tips. Yes, just as it’s important to fit “me time” into your schedule no matter how packed it becomes, it’s important to carve out time to do the things that will inevitably ensure that you’re healthy and thriving on your big day.

Here are some of the most important pre-wedding health tips to follow in the year leading up to your big day.

Pace yourself.

One of the biggest pre-wedding health tips: Give yourself ample time to plan your special day, even starting in advance of when you think you need to. “There will always be last-minute things to take care of so to reduce the stress, make to-do lists and stick to them,” says Olivia Rose, ND, a naturopathic doctor in Toronto, Canada. She suggests delegating whatever tasks you can to  your relatives, partner and bridal party to help reduce the anxiety and pressure placed on you as a bride.

Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Yes, it’s your wedding, the most important day of your life, but it is just one day. It shouldn’t cause you an unnecessary amount of stress and certainly isn’t worth fussing over every single detail. Instead, David Friedman, ND, DC, doctor of naturopathy, clinical nutritionist, and chiropractic neurologist, suggests making a list and prioritize things that are most crucial to your wedding being a successful event. “This will keep you from over stressing about the small details and from overspending on things lower on your priority list.”

Meditate.

Speaking of stress—one great way to eliminate it is with meditation, which has been shown to help stimulate the part of the brain that controls positive emotion and self-control. “Meditating can lower your heart rate, reduce high blood pressure and increase serotonin production that improves mood and behavior and helps stimulate the immune system,” says Dr. Friedman.

Exercise.

If you already follow some kind of exercise regimen, good for you. Now it’s time to keep it up! Roger Adams, Ph.D., personal trainer, doctor of nutrition, and owner of eatrightfitness, recommends that his bride-to-be clients to enroll in exercise classes or a fitness center outside the home so they have a place to go to leave the stressful wedding planning behind for a few hours each week. “Make 30 minutes of exercise a normal part of your day, so that after the wedding, it’s an ingrained habit that you don’t have to worry about adding it back to your routine,” he says.

Hydrate.

This pre-wedding health tip might sound simple, not to mention obvious, but it’s worth noting. Not only does it help keep your skin glowing, but it helps flush out toxins like excess alcohol from all that yummy champagne you’ve been drinking at showers, bachelorettes and on the big day. Rachel Corradetti, ND, naturopathic practitioner in Toronto, Ontario, recommends picking a fun, pretty, 500ml bottle like those by S’Well. “Wrap four rubber bands around the bottom and, after each bottle has been consumed, move your rubber band up until you’ve had all four each day.”

Eat well.

When you’re running from one appointment to the next it’s easy to let nutrition fall by the wayside, but Dr. Coradetti notes the importance of eating clean as often as possible leading up to your big day. “If this pre-wedding health tip is too overwhelming on its own, look into working with someone professionally trained in nutrition, like a naturopathic doctor, dietician or nutritionist to help you determine the best plan,” he says. “At the very least, aim for a daily smoothie packed with lean protein, healthy fat and veggies like the one below to keep your nourished and satiated.”

Get your rest.

Sleep is crucial to your overall health, and shouldn’t be skimped on in the months, weeks and days leading up to your wedding. Dr. Corradetti recommends setting a bedtime alarm on your phone for 30 minutes to 1 hour before bed and then taking at least 5 minutes before snoozing off to eliminate all the thoughts and worries swimming around your head out so they don’t bother you while you’re trying to sleep. “Turn all of your screens are off to ensure your body can make a good amount of its natural sleep hormone, melatonin, so you can get into a deep, restorative sleep,” she adds.

Take good care of your skin.

Especially if you’re prone to acne or any other skin condition, it’s best to plan your wedding skin prep well ahead of time. Dr. Rose suggests getting a facial skin analysis by a qualified esthetician and choosing products that will nourish your skin properly. “The stress of planning your wedding can aggravate your skin leading to breakouts, enlarged pores and redness, so instead of leaving skin care to the last minute and hoping a facial the day before your wedding can fix it all, take the time leading up to your wedding to focus on using the best products and routines to put your best face forward,” she adds.