The wedding day is one of the most emotionally saturated moments in a person's life. Joy, excitement, stress, whether everything has been thought of, whether everything will go according to plan, stress about how I will feel, whether I will be able to be present and enjoy... All these feelings are bubbling at the same time. In order to fully enjoy this special day and be in such a valuable here and now state of consciousness, it is worth preparing in advance so that the saturation of emotions on the wedding day does not overwhelm you. It should be remembered that any method and technique works best if we do it regularly and for a long time, therefore - calming techniques will help even in a moment of anxiety, however the effect may be less. Practicing mindfulness every day will be a real support for you. Meditation, breathing techniques, feeling the presence - this is the way of life of a modern person, aware that rushing and rushing by robs us of the most precious moments. Let's take a look at the recommendations on how to feel as peaceful as possible on the wedding day!

Breathing exercises

Breathing exercises are one of the simplest and most effective ways to calm the nervous system. When you feel anxious or overwhelmed with emotions, take a few minutes for conscious breathing:

• Inhale through the nose for 4 seconds,
• hold your breath for 4 seconds,
• exhales through the mouth for 6 seconds.

This kind of breathing signals the body that everything is fine and helps to restore peace.

Use this technique any time you need it. But if you read this article ten, six or two months before the wedding - great! Start practicing this technique now, and your body will get used to it as a signal - everything is fine, calm, safe. This means that when you use it, the technique will work very quickly and powerfully.

An even simpler method, where each part of the process takes an equal number of seconds, is the square breathing method. It balances and helps focus. will be useful before a ceremony or a photo session when you need a stable focus.

• Inhale 4 seconds,
• hold your breath for 4 seconds,
• exhales for 4 seconds,
• hold your breath again 4 seconds,
• repeats as necessary.

Leisurely wedding morning

Start the wedding day slowly and deliberately. Choose calm music, leisurely breakfast and enough time for the preparation process. Be sure to avoid a busy schedule on the morning of the wedding, where the rush itself can cause unnecessary anxiety. Everything should be planned and done in advance, ideally - if the day before the wedding is also dedicated to relaxation.

However, if there is anxiety on the morning of the wedding and you feel that anxious energy has stirred up, which just needs to be discharged - go to a morning club or dance so that the body gets rid of stress hormones. Being forced to be at rest can be even more disturbing, increasing stress, because the body gives a signal that there is anxiety, but you forcefully suppress it by forcing yourself to be in a state of rest. Listen to your body and trust it!

Trust the team

Delegate responsibility to professionals or trusted friends. If you try to control everything yourself, stress will increase. Planners, decorators, a girlfriend or sister - they can help so that you can focus on the most important thing. You should enjoy the wedding day together with your loved one. Neither of you have to become wedding planners or wedding day coordinators. Also, do not overburden yourself during the wedding, but find ways to transfer as much of the organizational work as possible to the hands of professionals.

Accept emotions - don't try to suppress them

Want to laugh and cry? Do it! It is a discharge of emotions, after which it will be easier and calmer. It's your wedding, a particularly exciting moment, and emotions are part of the experience. Suppressed feelings only increase internal tension. And how to suppress them? Because of perfect makeup? Because of what others will think? For the perfect wedding pictures?

Accept support

Before the wedding, choose someone who knows you and can calm you down. It can be a best friend, a mother, a witness. If anxiety sets in, a simple conversation or hug with that person can be a huge support.

Meditation

Meditation is a scientifically researched and substantiated method of organizing your inner peace. And it's not about shutting thoughts out of our minds. Thoughts are and will be, but we can not pay such significant attention to them, changing the focus to how our body feels, what emotions we feel. To be present for a moment. Regular practice of meditation promotes awareness, the ability to step into the shoes of the observer, thus learning to observe emotions as if from the outside, and being able to be present. Peace is not the absence of emotions, but the ability to accept and manage them.

·       Short mindfulness meditation

Sit quietly, close your eyes and pay attention to your breathing rhythm. Every time your mind wanders, gently bring your attention back to your breath.

Duration: 3-5 minutes.
Point of focus: here and now.

·       Visualization - safe place

Imagine yourself in a place where you feel completely calm - a beach, a forest, a quiet evening. Pay attention to details: sounds, smells, colors.

Duration: 5 minutes.
Effect: Helps the body feel the calm signal.

·       Body scan

Slowly scans your body from toes to head. Observe if any place is tense. Let it relax. Simple feelings - without evaluation.

Duration: 10-15 minutes.

Helps release physical tension and exercises a sense of presence.

Humor and lightness

If something doesn't go according to plan, and it happens at almost every wedding, laugh it off, take it easy! Joking is a real gift in human life - it removes tension like a wave of the hand.

Affirmations for the wedding day

I am calm and confident. This day is the celebration of our love.

I deserve the love that surrounds me today.

I am here and now - I live every moment with an open heart.

I accept this day with gratitude and peace.

I am present - I breathe deeply and allow myself to be.

Everything is happening exactly as it should happen - I trust the process.

My love is strong, true and sure.

I allow myself to feel joy, excitement and peace at the same time.

I am in harmony with myself, my partner and this special day.

I am ready to open my heart to this new chapter of life.

Wedding day peace plan

• I woke up peacefully on the morning of the wedding. I choose a comfortable and nice place for a leisurely breakfast alone or with my sister, girlfriends, mother - the company I want to be with on this wedding morning, because it is with these people that I feel real, free and full of joy.
• I remind myself: today we celebrate love, my meeting with my soulmate and being together.
• Before getting ready for the wedding, I did ten minutes of meditation to start the process peacefully and enjoy it one hundred percent.
• I put on soothing music in the background and drink soothing tea - peppermint or chamomile - which gives me additional grounding and warms both body and spirit.
• I am prepared, the masters have created the most beautiful wedding hairstyle and captivating make-up for me. I've had a laugh with my favorite ladies and I'm ready to walk down the aisle.
• Hugs to my "peace" person before going to my fiance.
• During the ceremony, I don't try to control my emotions, facial expression or the most beautiful angle of the veil. I just am. With your beloved. And enjoy.

Author of the article: Ieva Simanovića