Eat Your Way to A STRESS-FREE WEDDING Nutrition and Health Coach, Demelza Rayner, reveals seven simple steps to feeling relaxed and in control on your wedding day It’s only natural to feel nervous – if not downright terrified – on your wedding day. After-all, you’ve spent at least a year on planning every little detail to ensure the big day goes without a hitch. Furthermore, if you’re not someone who enjoys being the centre of attention then there’s the added pressure of knowing all eyes will be on you. I’m here to reassure you that these worries are perfectly normal and, by following my seven simple steps, you can sail through the day feeling calm, in control and able to enjoy every stage of the proceedings. Let’s get started! 1GET YOUR BEAUTY SLEEP Getting enough sleep the night before the wedding is key – you’ll wake up refreshed, alert and ready for whatever the day brings. However, it’s never easy to drop-off when your mind is racing, so there are several strategies you can employ to swich your body into a more relaxed state. First of all, run yourself a lovely, warm bath with Epsom salts – these contain magnesium and are widely recommended for relaxation and improved sleep quality. After your bath, get ready for bed and either pop on some gentle music or a soothing sleep story. Wear a heated eye mask infused with lavender while listening and you’ll drift off in no time! What you eat before bedtime is important too. Several foods contain a substance called tryptophan, which has an important role in the production of melatonin – a hormone involved in your sleep-wake cycle. Foods rich in tryptophan include chicken, turkey, salmon, eggs, nuts and seeds. 2QUENCH YOUR THIRST Leave a glass of water on your bedside table before you go to sleep and drink this on waking. Being well hydrated boosts your energy levels and brain function, and will help to prevent headaches (a fairly common complaint given the pressures of the big day!) By all means reach for a much-needed mug of tea or coffee afterwards but resist the temptation to drink cup after cup – the caffeine will exacerbate any anxiety or stress, which is the last thing you need when you’re about to walk down the aisle. Ditto for alcohol – enjoy a chilled glass of bubbly while you’re getting ready but it’s going to be a long day so keep sipping that water too! 3MORNING MEDITATION Mindfulness and meditation are fantastic for relieving stress, improving sleep, enhancing mental health and increasing concentration. If you’ve never considered exploring their benefits, then it’s well worth downloading the Calm app, which offers a free seven-day trial. It contains a variety of easy-to-follow programmes, ranging from ‘7 days of Calm’ to ‘Anxiety Release’ and ‘Mindfulness for Beginners’. Each stage is just five or 10 minutes long, so the time commitment is minimal. I’d suggest starting one of the 76
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