Natural ways to relieve wedding day nerves

Wedding day jitters are normal — but not necessarily welcome! In this article Jo Webber, Herbal Education Lead at Pukka Herbs, shares four natural ways to keep them at bay.

Weddings are one of the most significant life events you can go through, so its no surprise that wedding day jitters are so common. Even the most committed couple are bound to get butterflies when standing up in front of everyone they know to say their vows, and no matter how excited you are to tie the knot, nerves before or even during the ceremony are completely normal. That said, no one wants nervousness and anxiety to get in the way of enjoying their big day. But how can you relieve your wedding day jitters in a natural way? Here, I'll share four simple methods for curbing your nerves ahead of a wedding.

Get organised
There's a lot to be said for being organised, especially in times of stress. In the lead-up to a wedding, even something as simple as journaling or writing a to-do list can help you organise your thoughts and make your worries seem much more manageable. If you're worried about something in particular, make that your focus and draw a map of potential outcomes and solutions. If you're nervous in general, try listing all the parts of your wedding day that you're looking forward to the most. Slowing down and taking the time to write things out on paper may allow you to process your thoughts better and put them in perspective, easing your worries.

Relax
You may have many plans and people to see in the days leading up to the wedding, but it's important you take time out of your schedule to relax too. Like any other time in your life, your body will benefit from exercise, nourishing meals, self-care, and time alone to do whatever it is you like to do to unwind. If you'd prefer to spend time with others, try choosing a relaxing group activity such as a visit to a spa. If you can, try to avoid drinking too much alcohol — in many cases this may make your anxiety worse as well as impacting the quality of restorative sleep. So, try scheduling any hen or stag dos for a week or two before the big day, if possible, to help keep nerves at bay.

Try herbal remedies
If your wedding day nerves are getting the better of you, you can supplement your chosen coping mechanism with some herbal remedies. There are plenty of herbs that have been used as stressbusters throughout the centuries, and many of them are still used today to ease anxiety and soothe stress. Ingredients to look out for include chamomile, lavender, and valerian root, plus more exotic herbs like shatavari, tulsi, and ashwagandha. These can be taken as supplements whenever you feel overwhelmed, or you can sit and unwind with a cup of herbal tea when you want to take a moment of self-care away from the hustle and bustle of the event.

Breathe
When panic sets in, everyone tells you to breathe. But does taking deep breaths actually help when you're stressed? Breathing exercises can help deliver more oxygen to your brain and body, which can reduce blood pressure, slow the heart, and untie any knots or tension you may have in your stomach. So yes, breathing really does help! One key breathing technique is to make the exhale longer than the inhale —for example, try breathing in for four seconds, then out for eight seconds. This activates the parasympathetic (rest and digest) side of the nervous system. Like to stay active? Yoga is fantastic for helping with your breathing, calming your mind and nervous system. Plus, all the stretching involved is great for improving blood flow.

Nerves are perfectly normal, but if you're worried about them getting in the way of your wedding day, there are plenty of methods you can try to keep your emotions in check. From herbal remedies to breathing, light activity, and journaling, take the time to find the right method for you — then you can get hitched without a hitch!

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