Spending countless hours planning your dream wedding may lead you to feeling upset or overwhelmed. It's called wedding planning burnout, and it's very common. Wedding planning burnout is a state of emotional, mental and often physical exhaustion brought on by prolonged or repeated stress surrounding one's wedding. The key difference between burnout and stress is that burnout is an extended period of stress that feels as though it cannot be eased. Signs of burnout include your stress feeling like it will never end and is accompanied by feelings of emptiness, apathy and hopelessness but what should you do when being plagued by this phenomenon?
Here is the good news: wedding planning burnout is preventable. The key is to mitigate the stress whenever possible. Making simple changes to your daily routine can assist in helping you keep your stress from developing into full-blown wedding burnout. Getting enough sleep (seven to nine hours), eating balanced meals (mostly plant-based), staying hydrated and exercising will all prevent feelings of stress and burnout too.
Reaching out to individual or couples therapy for a neutral sounding board to guide you. There is no reason to wait until you hit rock bottom to need a little help with how you're experiencing this stress. Taking action sooner will stop you from falling into the wedding planning burnout cycle.
If your wedding planning timeline allows for it TAKE A BREAK! If all of your vendors are booked, then put a pause on wedding planning and restart when you are ready. Once you have stepped away from wedding planning for a bit reach out to others for support. Talk to your significant other. Sharing your feelings and fears can actually bring you both closer. Be honest with them about what you need and come up with creative solutions together. Spend quality time with your partner, enjoy your engagement. This can certainly help get your mind off of the wedding. Do things you really enjoy doing together: cooking, playing board games or watching movies. Turn to your support network and let them know what you are feeling. Ask vendors, friends and family for help (and delegate tasks whenever possible).
Do Something That Makes You Happy
To help break the cycle of wedding planning burnout take a moment to do something that makes you feel productive, passionate and connected to something important. If you find it difficult to take a break, then prioritize. Start with something small and manageable to give yourself that first feeling of accomplishement before moving onto harder tasks.
Laugh Out Loud
Laughing is one of the best things you can do if you are experiencing wedding planning burnout. Laughing releases chemicals like dopamine and oxytocin. Go through old photos with a friend, watch a silly movie with your partner or crack jokes with your family members.
Practice Self Care
Laughing isn't the only thing you can do for yourself. Check in with yourself, starting with the basics: are you eating healthyfully and regularly, drinking enough water, getting enough sleep, moving your body regularly? This doesn't mean you should go overboard with exercising- we are talking about maintaining a balance here. Ensure you are talking to friends, spending time with people who make you feel good, taking time away from social media and technology and spending quality time with your significant other.
Relaxation techniques like meditation, deep breathing and grounding techniques are great options as well.
Allow Yourself to Feel Upset
While treating wedding planning burnout, you may still experience feelings of sadness and frustration. You have put so much love and work into your wedding and suddenly you feel like you are not being heard or are feel like you are running into a brick wall with every motion forward you attempt to make. Allow yourself to feel upset, just don't make any important decisions when you are experiencing this negativity. All of the work you have put into planning your wedding has not gone to waste.
Make Wedding Planning As Fun As Possible
Try to make wedding planning feel less like a job by getting creative. Dance to your first dance song, write personal wedding vows, perfect your specialty cocktail, cook items from your wedding menu. This is the perfect time to get closer with your wedding party and future family. Take time to keep in touch with important family members so that everyone feels close and excited to see each other at the wedding.
Practice Gratitude
Identify one to three things you are grateful for every day, as it improves your mood and keeps things in perspective.
Talk It Out With a Professional
It is not a sign of weakness to ask for help. Wedding planning burnout is real and difficult to navigate, but we're here to help. Your wedding is still going to happen, and remember your love is at the forefront.