Weddings can be a stressful time – 92% of brides admit to experiencing nerves either on the night before their wedding or the big day itself. Two-thirds said the nerves were so bad it affected their enjoyment of their wedding, and one in five (19%) even experienced panic attacks.
The amount of planning that goes into a wedding is clearly one of the biggest sources of stress and there's any number of things that could potentially go wrong – from disagreements between friends and family to the cake being the wrong size!
A good night’s sleep is essential before your wedding day, so Time4Sleep has put together some tips achieving a good night’s sleep the night before your wedding.
1. Take note of what's worrying you
Sometimes it can help to just take a moment to assess what your biggest worry is – and maybe make your peace with the fact that a few problems are bound to arise. It is natural to have negative thoughts, but they're only a problem when you focus only on them.
While catering 
niggles, hair worries and problems with the guest list might play on your mind, take a breath and remember what this is really all about: you and your partner declaring your love in front of your friends and family. Talk any worries through with your partner – chances are they've got some to share too!
2. Have a relaxing pre-wedding massage
Relaxing your body is a great first step to relaxing your mind. Treating yourself to a spa day and full body massage just before your wedding will help untense those muscles and keep you looking and feeling your best. Plus, it'll give you a few pressure-free hours to take a step back and focus on yourself.
3. Try meditation exercises
Meditation doesn't have to be about profound spiritual experiences – it is also a hugely effective way to deal with nerves. Close your eyes and just focus on breathing in and out, letting all the stressful thoughts about your wedding drift away. By repeating this several times a day, you can create a mental anchor point where you're calm and relaxed, and can return to it whenever you need to.
4. Talk to your friends about it
Your friends are probably playing a big role in your wedding, and they'll be only too happy to help you out by talking over any worries you're having. One of the biggest sources of stress can be the feeling of "going it alone" – opening up and letting others support you can be a big source of confidence on the day. Any friends who have had a wedding of their own will understand exactly how you're feeling, and may have some words of wisdom that come from experience.
5. Work out the stress
Exercise is a natural stress-buster. Not only does it encourage your mind and body to focus on something other than your worries, but a good workout releases endorphins that naturally relax you and help you get that all-important sleep. There's no need to overdo it – a run, a swim, half an hour in the gym or even a bit of dancing with friends are all great ways to get your exercise fix.
Freelance journalist Gina Clarke, who got married in July 2010, described the nerves the night before her wedding: “Essentially we had a house full of guests for the wedding so the only bed left was a blow up one in the dining room that I shared with a bridesmaid. Needless to say it was pretty sleepless due to nerves and comfort!
“I think having an afternoon ceremony helped with my nerves on the day of the wedding. By 1pm, the morning rain clouds had vanished slightly, the glass of bubbles had taken the edge off and we had time to sort the other dramas that cropped up in the morning (late bridesmaids, flowers falling over in the church etc).”
To find out about stress and sleep visit the Time4Sleep Relaxation Zone: https://www.time4sleep.co.uk/relaxation-zone/
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