Wedding Jitters: Sleepless Week Before The Big Day

It's completely normal to struggle with sleep the week of your wedding. The night before your wedding is a magical mix of stress and excitement that can be more potent than caffeine. Luckily, there are many ways to combat insomnia and get a good night's rest before your big day.

Characteristics of "Can't Sleep Week of Wedding"

Create a relaxing environment

It's completely normal to struggle with sleep the week before your wedding. Creating a relaxing environment can work wonders in helping you drift off to sleep. Here are some tips to create a soothing atmosphere to promote relaxation and a good night's rest.

First, dim the lights. Adjust the lighting by swapping out bright bulbs for warm, gentle ones to create a soothing, intimate glow. Soft lighting will signal to your brain that it's time to wind down and prepare for sleep.

Next, create a comfortable sleep environment. Opt for soft, luxurious bedding and fluffy pillows that will make you feel like you're sleeping on a cloud. A cool temperature of around 60 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for promoting sleep. Use blackout curtains, earplugs, and a sleep mask to create a dark, quiet space.

Aromatherapy can also help alleviate stress and anxiety. Scents like lavender, eucalyptus, chamomile, and jasmine are known for their calming properties. Use essential oils, pillow sprays, or diffusers to fill your bedroom with relaxing fragrances.

Additionally, establish a bedtime routine and stick to it. Start unwinding at least an hour before bed by stepping away from screens and mental stimulants. Engage in calming activities like reading a book, practising breathwork or meditation, or listening to a podcast or relaxing music.

Finally, pay attention to your diet and exercise routine. Avoid caffeine, sugar, and high-fat foods before bed, as these can disrupt your sleep. Incorporate gentle exercises or restorative yoga poses into your evening routine to promote relaxation and improve circulation.

Swap screen time for a book

If you're struggling to sleep in the week of your wedding, you're not alone. It's completely normal to experience pre-wedding insomnia. The excitement and anxiety of your upcoming nuptials can keep you wide awake. Here are some tips to swap screen time for a book and improve your sleep:

Create a Relaxing Environment

First, create a soothing environment to promote sleep. Dim the lights as a signal to your brain that it's time to wind down. Soft lighting and warm, gentle bulbs can help create a cozy and intimate atmosphere. Consider using blackout curtains to block out any external light. You can also try using a sleep mask, earplugs, and a noise machine to create the perfect sleep environment.

Choose a Book Over Screen Time

Instead of scrolling through social media or watching TV, opt for reading a book. The blue light from electronic devices can confuse your body's circadian rhythm and signal daytime to your brain, disrupting your sleep. By swapping screens for a book, you'll engage your imagination and distract yourself from any wedding-related stress. Reading can transport you to another world and help you relax and disconnect. Keep a captivating book on your bedside table and make it a part of your bedtime routine.

Establish a Digital Curfew

Implement a strict digital curfew for yourself. Power down all electronic devices at least an hour before bedtime. Avoid checking emails, social media, or watching TV right before bed. The constant notifications and mindless scrolling can overstimulate your brain and make it difficult to fall asleep. By setting a digital curfew, you train your brain to associate bedtime with reading and relaxation rather than screen time.

Create a Cozy Reading Nook

Designate a quiet and comfortable space in your home solely for reading. Make it inviting and cozy with a soft blanket and good lighting. Having a dedicated reading nook will make you look forward to unwinding with a book each night.

Start Small and Be Patient

You don't have to quit screen time cold turkey. Start small by choosing to read for 15 minutes instead of scrolling through your phone. Gradually increase the time you spend reading as you get more comfortable. Remember, the goal is to find balance and make reading a enjoyable part of your bedtime routine.

Opt for Calming Genres

When selecting a book to read before bed, choose calming and enjoyable genres. Avoid thrillers or page-turners that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Instead, opt for books that you find relaxing, such as mystery novels, biographies, or personal development books. The goal is to relax your mind, not keep it buzzing with excitement.

By implementing these tips, you can improve your sleep quality and wake up feeling rested and rejuvenated. Remember, a good night's sleep is essential for your health and well-being, especially during the busy week of your wedding.

Try breathwork or meditation

It's completely normal to struggle with sleep the night before your wedding. Breathwork and meditation are tried-and-true methods for calming the mind and soothing the body, and they can help you tap into a state of relaxation.

Breathwork is a mindfulness practice that involves consciously and mindfully changing your breathing patterns to improve relaxation. There are many different types of breathwork, but they all involve deep, intentional breathing. One example is diaphragmatic breathing, which involves placing one hand on your chest and the other on your stomach, then taking deep breaths while keeping your chest still and allowing your belly to expand fully.

Meditation, on the other hand, is a practice that helps you ground yourself in the present moment. It allows you to observe your thoughts and feelings without judgement or action. Calming meditations help you feel relaxed, safe, and happy, while insight meditations help you process your thoughts and emotions to better understand your experiences.

Combining breathwork with meditation allows you to reap the benefits of both techniques. Breathwork and meditation can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep, enhance focus, and soothe emotions. They are also valuable tools that can help you navigate the whirlwind of emotions that often come with a wedding.

• Experiment with different techniques to find what works best for you.
• Practice regularly, ideally every day.
• Close your eyes to help you focus on your breathing.
• Try a guided breathwork journey or meditation through YouTube, Spotify, or a mindfulness app.
• If you're not sure where to start, consider working with a certified breathwork practitioner or meditation teacher.

Listen to a podcast

If you're struggling to sleep in the week of your wedding, listening to a podcast can be a soothing and delightful way to unwind. Here are some recommendations for podcasts that are designed to help you relax, slow down your mind, and provide an escape from any pre-wedding jitters:

• Sleep With Me Podcast: This popular podcast features whimsical stories told by the host in a soothing voice, which will help transport you to sleep.
• Nothing Much Happens: This podcast provides calming bedtime stories with delightful imagery, giving you a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle of wedding planning.
• Sleepy: This podcast features classic literature narrated by soothing voices, allowing you to immerse yourself in far-off worlds as you drift off to sleep.
• Bridechilla: Hosted by comedian Aleisha McCormack, this podcast covers topics that cause wedding-related stress in a relatable and funny way.
• The One Fab Day Wedding Podcast: This weekly podcast picks a new topic related to weddings and discusses it in detail, offering helpful tips and advice.
• The Big Wedding Planning Podcast: Wedding consultants Michelle Martinez and Christy Matthews offer useful advice and secrets of the trade in a funny and conversational tone.
• The Bouquet Toss: Co-hosts Jessica Bishop and Sari Weinerman unveil the history behind wedding traditions, letting brides decide whether to keep or toss them from their plans.
• The Wedding Biz by Andy Kushner: Founder of The Wedding Biz Network, Andy Kushner, interviews key players in the wedding industry and offers insights on pricing, budgeting, and wedding tips.
• Marriage and Martinis: Hosted by a married couple, Danielle and Adam Silverstein, this podcast offers an authentic and funny look at relationship problems and provides a modern approach to everyday relationship challenges.
• Hue I Do: The Complexions of Black Weddings: Host Ashleigh Coffie and her maid of honor, Toniah Paryo, invite guest experts to help and inspire engaged couples to be mindful of hiring vendors from diverse backgrounds.

Remember, it's normal to struggle with sleep in the lead-up to your wedding. These podcasts can help you relax and unwind, so you can feel rested and refreshed for your big day.

Consider aromatherapy

If you're struggling with pre-wedding insomnia, aromatherapy could be a great way to help you relax and get some much-needed rest. Aromatherapy involves inhaling or topically applying highly concentrated essential oils, which are extracted from different parts of plants.

Diffusers and Misting

Diffusers are a popular way to fill your bedroom with soothing scents. They come in different types, such as ultrasonic, passive, heat, evaporative, and nebulizer, each offering a unique way to release fragrance into the air.

Topical Application

For a more direct approach, you can apply essential oils to your skin. Holly Schiff, a licensed clinical psychologist, recommends massaging sleep-boosting oils onto your forehead, wrists, and neck. This method allows for both inhalation and muscle relaxation. Remember to always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil, such as olive or coconut oil, to prevent skin irritation.

Facial Steaming and Compresses

Facial steaming is another effective way to unwind before bed. Simply add a few drops of essential oil to a pot of warm water, lean over with a towel covering your head, and inhale the aromatic steam. Alternatively, you can make a hot towel compress with the infused water and apply it to sore muscles.

Aromatic Bath

Taking a warm bath infused with essential oils can also help you relax and soothe your muscles. Holly Schiff suggests adding drops of lavender essential oil to your bathwater for a calming experience.

Essential Oil-Infused Products

If you prefer a more subtle approach, there are many products available that are infused with calming essential oils, such as memory foam pillows scented with lavender or chamomile.

When choosing essential oils for better sleep, lavender is the most commonly recommended option, backed by numerous studies demonstrating its positive impact on sleep quality and anxiety reduction. Other popular choices include eucalyptus, chamomile, jasmine, bergamot, cedarwood, and clary sage.

Remember to always use essential oils with caution and perform a skin test before trying a new oil. If you're pregnant or have any health concerns, be sure to consult your healthcare provider before using aromatherapy.

Frequently asked questions