bride sipping tea and getting ready

The Secret to Bridal Beauty: Treat Yourself Well

Today Liz Davis is guest posting about keeping healthy, happy and sane as you embark on all the crazy I-need-to-get-my-butt-in-gear-before-the-wedding bridal beauty regimens. Look, I did them all and, frankly, I enjoyed the pampering: I grew out my nails, learned how to put on makeup, started dressing more girly, took care of my skin, and ate better and exercised. I was happy to do it. But in the back of my mind, I wondered if I was taking better care of myself or catching a buzz on the Bridal Koolaid. While the answer to that question is still at large, I did enjoy Liz’s focus on making healthy decisions, including tips for getting organized and avoiding the Bridezilla effect. Thanks Liz!

bride sipping tea and getting readyImage from Note to Self via Pinterest

New Year Resolutions for 2012 Brides

Now that 2011 has come to an end, many 2012 brides-to-be may start feeling the pressure and stress that commonly comes with getting married. They may feel overwhelmed and allow stress and nerves to get the better of them. To avoid this from happening, there are various New Year resolutions that can be incorporated into your lifestyle. In no time you’ll have the wedding of your dreams.

Start exercising

Incorporating exercise into your lifestyle helps you shed excess pounds and improve the way you feel about yourself – when you feel good, you look good. Regular exercise can include everything from walking and jogging to taking a step class or boot camp class. An occasional yoga class can help reduce stress while strength-training exercises can improve muscle tone.

Eat healthy

Many brides-to-be resort to starvation diets for last-minute weight loss. This often backfires, because depriving the body of food triggers your survival instinct –your body holds onto fat out of fear of starvation. Extreme dieting may affect your mood and result in a lack of energy. Instead, eat a balanced diet that includes fruit, whole grains, lean protein, low-fat dairy and vegetables. A healthy diet still leaves room for an occasional treat. When wearing your wedding dress the extra effort is sure to get noticed.

Beautify yourself

Brides-to-be can eliminate stress and improve their appearance by treating themselves well. A massage, a facial or teeth whitening session can prove to be just what the doctor ordered. The massage helps you relax while a facial can help clear up blemishes and give you glowing skin. Adding teeth whitening to the beautification process will brighten up your face. Having a radiant, white smile can instantly boost your confidence, which is sure to make you the belle of the ball during your wedding. Teeth whitening can either be done at home or through a dentist office. There are new ways of teeth whitening being explored from DC dentist offices to dentist offices in California so it is important to pick one that will work best for you.

Get organized

One New Year resolution of a bride-to-be must include planning. There are many aspects to setting up a wedding – the venue must be confirmed, the invitation must be mailed out; the cake and menu must be chosen and the dress must be perfect. To avoid forgetting anything and to minimize stress, make a to-do list ahead of time. When making the list, factor in your budget to avoid overspending.

Avoid the Bridezilla effect

Many brides-to-be get so involved in planning their wedding that they forget all about everything and anyone else. The groom-to-be, family members and friends may get neglected and play second fiddle to the wedding. To avoid this, keep in mind what’s important. Keep bickering to a minimum and involve your partner and loved ones into the wedding plans. By delegating and involving them you may relieve some of your own stress.

 

Liz Davies is a recent college graduate and aspiring writer especially interested in beauty and fashion. She wants to make a difference in people’s lives by spreading positive messages. Liz also likes shopping, hanging out with friends, reading and playing with her dog, April.