Dealing with Pre-Wedding Stress? Breathe!

We all know the last week before the wedding can be stressful. Everyone and everything is fighting for your attention: the guests, the vendors, the venue, the weather, the drinks, the dress, the flowers, the fiance.... the list goes on.

Just don't forget to make time for yourself. One practice that I've used... and that has been proven to reduce stress... is called mindfulness. Mindfulness is the evidence-based practice of reducing stress by being highly aware of the present moment and brushing aside distracting thoughts. For some people, it means formal meditation, repeating a mantra in a dark room. For others, it's a yoga session at the studio. 

But it doesn't have to be like that. It can just be taking a minute out of your day to simply breathe. Sit, relax, and focus on the sensations around you: Your breath. The air on your skin. The sound of traffic outside.

Just don't focus on your emotions or other thoughts. Those can wait.

If you can practice a minute or two of mindfulness every day in the runup to your wedding, you may just find that pre-wedding jitters will vanish.