Bride & Groom NZ - Tips to prevent wedding planning burnout
Wedding planning is stressful no matter what the scale, so it is important to take a step back to avoid burnout. With a bit of extra self-care you will get through your wedding planning and be able to enjoy the big day without the fatigue, irritability and anxiety.
Written by Erin O’Hara.
Burnout is when you reach a state of mental and physical exhaustion. The main cause of burnout is stress, and we all know it can be stressful planning a wedding, with a long to-do list, worry over everything running smoothly, and so much energy and excitement going into planning your day.
The signs of burnout can be exhaustion, isolation, irritability, frequent illness, change in appetite, sleep changes, insomnia, depression and anxiety. It can be detrimental to your health if you continue to push through burnout as it can lead to depression, anxiety, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
The hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis is our central stress response system. The HPA axis is responsible for the neuroendocrine adaptation component of the stress response. Stress causes increased overall cortisol output. Cortisol is your body’s main stress hormone and regulates a wide range of processes throughout the body, including metabolism and the immune response.
Tips to prevent burnout:
1. Take a long weekend and fully unplug from your to-do list. This will provide some temporary relief and the opportunity to rest and relax.
2. Know your limits and breaking point. When you are feeling overwhelmed and stressed, create more time for yourself to slow down and reset.
3. Take a nap. Sleep 20-30 minutes after lunch to refresh your energy and the brain.
4. Make a cup of tea. Herbal tea is a great way to therapeutically heal the body and create calm. My favourite is Yogi Tea with ginger, cardamon, peppercorns, cloves, and cinnamon. This tea creates a lot of internal warmth and supports cleansing the body.
5. Take consistent mini-breaks throughout your day and the week to re-centre yourself:
Yoga or Tai Chi – a relaxing activity to calm the nervous system.
Daily Meditation – to calm the mind and bring awareness to your breath.
Exercise – regular physical activity can help you to better deal with stress. It can also take your mind off work.
6. Use extra supplements:
Vitamin C – the production of cortisol and the other adrenal hormones depends on an adequate supply of vitamin C.
Vitamin B – beneficial during times of stress and contains nutrients that play an essential role in energy production in the body. It contains nutrients involved in hormone synthesis and modulation.
Pantothenic acid – is required for the function of the adrenal glands and supporting the manufacture of adrenal hormones which counteract the stress response.
Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) – is required for the synthesis of several neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, GABA and dopamine.
7. Try these recommended Herbal Medicines:
Green oats – a nervine to ease tension, decrease stress and promote nervous system health.
Withania (Ashwaganda) – adaptogen to help your body manage stress.
Liquorice – help support HPA axis balance by impacting morning cortisol levels.
Ginseng – adaptogen to fight against stress and fatigue, for increased endurance and memory improvement.
Erin O’Hara is the owner of Golden Yogi. She has a BSc in Physiology and BNatMed in Naturopathy. She has spent over a decade gathering knowledge and qualifications in health and wellness through; study, scientific research, personal illness, racing as a professional athlete, and an intrinsic passion for health naturally.