Year 2020 has taught us that the future is unpredictable and no matter what, you really can't take full control of it and postponing a wedding comes as a result of it. As we are moving towards the new year, the fear of wedding postponement has not faded away yet. It's unfortunate if you are going through such a difficult time. Postponing a wedding is a very hard decision to make but sometimes this is the best for everyone, especially when you want a big fat wedding. Along with postponement comes the anxiety and if you are struggling to deal with it then, here's how to navigate through this stressful time:
During this uncertain situation it is alright to be stressed. Pandemic hit everyone hard, including several couples like you. Being upset is a natural result so don't overthink and give yourself some time to be calm. Just breathe to let go of stress that is residing in your mind. In fact, focused deep breathing pacifies.
You know what is the strongest muscle in your body? It is your mind! You can overcome any situation if you train your mind to do so. If your brain is constantly fed with negative thoughts then it will only increase the level of stress ending in anxiety. So, try to load your brain with positive thoughts and happy times. Remember your wedding has been only postponed, it will happen in future so be optimistic about the future of your love life.
Even though you both are distant due to the postponed wedding, you both can learn something new together virtually. Developing a new hobby will not only enhance skills but will also, help in increasing the level of the happy hormones, i.e. Dopamine. Choose something that you and your partner always wanted to try but could never start for some or the other reason. Learn to play a music instrument or start baking together or increase your knowledge about makeup, these are some pleasurable ways to calm your mind. Learning something new together will also increase your bond and will reduce the stress about wedding postponement.
It has been scientifically proven that stress is reduced with aerobic activities. Taking a stroll in nature, cycling to your neighbourhood or swimming in your backyard pool are excellent approaches to deal with anxiety. Yoga is a familiar aerobic activity which is easy, doesn't require any specific tools and can be performed easily at home. It will help you concentrate on your body instead of your mind for a while. You will end up having a more relaxed mind with less stress about wedding postponement.
Anxiety is not all in your head, it's actually in your gut.' It is important to take care of your health during this period of heartbreak. The food that you eat affects your mood and when you eat a healthy diet your mood is automatically uplifted. Omega-3 fatty acid rich foods, fermented dishes, fresh fruits, vegetables and chocolates are some of the stress relieving foods. Try to incorporate these in your diet to boost your mood. This will help in focussing on positive things like how after COVID-19 you can have the big fat Indian wedding that you've always dreamed of.
Even though your wedding is being postponed you must acknowledge the everlasting love you and your partner share. Connect with each other through calls and texts. Communication is important to create a stronger bond. You can even send gifts to each other if possible. This will help you both overcome the stressful situation and you might know something new about each other.
Sometimes writing your genuine feelings on a piece of paper will help you to become stress free. Your brain will analyze the situation with a better perspective which will help the mind to recognise the positive outcome of the situation. Journaling is more of a therapy for your brain as it will declutter the thoughts in your mind and help in remembering good ones. You will understand that too much stress about a wedding will result in nothing but anxiety.
Mindfulness in simple terms is living in the present by being aware of your body and surroundings. It is a type of meditation that is practiced by many people to remain non judgemental in any moment. The whole idea is to bring attention to the present moment with the help of your senses. Sit in a relaxed position and put your senses to work. Start deep breathing and feel that. When your mind starts wandering to other places then gently bring back the attention to your breathing. Mindfulness not only helps in improving your mood but also results in increasing focus and improving memory.
A proper sleep is as important as eating right or exercising. A study conducted by the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry shows that depression is common in people struggling with sleep disorders. So it is extremely important to take care of your sleep for good mental health.
Spend some time relaxing on your own with a self care routine. Try doing things that make you happy which is different for every individual. You may like to take a bubble bath with soothing music and scented candles or you are the one who finds dancing by themselves amazing. People even find doing makeup as a self care practice. It all depends on your choice and liking.
There are people around you who will radiate positive energy whenever they enter a room. People with whom you have strong bonding and those who support you in any decision of your life will be there for you in these hard times. They will understand the postponement situation and will have sympathy for you. So, communicate with them and they will definitely make you feel better.
Although it sounds too much, taking therapy is the best thing when the stress level is affecting the quality of life. You will understand the contribution of your thoughts in making you anxious. You will regain the strength to cope with the extra stress that you are facing due to wedding postponement after the therapy.
While all the above points are related to decreasing anxiety and uplifting your mood, there are things you must avoid to lower the amount of stress you suffer.
The whole situation of wedding postponement will result in stress and it is reasonable too, but don't hold on to it for long. Take good care of yourself and your partner. It's also important to look after your elders as they are feeling the same amount of stress as you are feeling. In this situation it is important for families to come together and help one another to go through these tough times.
