Making the Wedding Planning Process Stress-free One Step at a Time

Stylish Marin Headlands Engagement
photo by Danielle Poff as seen in these Madin Headlands engagement photos

Hi! It’s Amy Little from Barbend.com and I’m here to help answer a question Jen often gets in her DMs – “How can I make the wedding planning process less stressful??”

Wedding planning is the art of juggling between a tight budget and pleasing everybody. Bridezillas are not born; they are made from stressed-out thinking sessions that would make a sane person feels insane. Wedding planning is stressful because there are many things you have to plan. Picking
the perfect dress, booking the venue, you want everything to be your way on your wedding day, not to mention the guest list. Everyone’s diet is different. Some love meat more than others. Some are vegan. How about the bridal party? You would love for your friends to be by your side on this special day, but sometimes they might not be able to make it because of prior engagements. Headaches, headaches!

Fortunately, there are ways to reduce wedding planning stress. One of the most effective methods? It’s walking. Yes. The simple yet effective activity you have already done every day but never realized. Let me explain…

Why is Walking Every Day so Good?

Walking is an activity that many of us engage in daily, but few of us think about the benefits that it can have on our brain health. Walking has been shown to reduce stress levels and improve mental well-being. It can also help to improve memory and cognitive function.

Humans have been walking since the birth of our ancestors. We walk to gather supplies, harvest fruits, and locate resourceful regions. Walking is also a form of transportation. Walking can achieve many benefits, but most people don’t think about the benefits it has on the mind. Walking is an activity that has been deeply ingrained in our DNA. Our ancestors associated walking with achieving goals and basic needs. As we involve, our bodies learn to excrete serotonin and dopamine from this simple act.

The act of walking has been shown to have a plethora of benefits, including reducing stress. People experience the effect of walking to relax every time they hike. There is a hobby in Japan called “forest bathing.” Forest bathing, also known as Shinrin-yoku, is a hobby practiced in Japan for centuries. The term Shinrin-yoku means “taking in the forest atmosphere,” and it refers to the practice of spending time in the forest to improve one’s health.

Danielle Vic Pierce the Veil Engagement
photo by Jordan Voth as seen in these engagement photos for Vic Fuentes

Forest bathing is a practice that can be done anywhere with trees and plants. It involves walking through nature, listening to the chirping sounds of birds, feeling the sun on your skin, and breathing in the natural aromatherapy of phytoncides. Phytoncides are antimicrobial volatile organic compounds that plants release to protect themselves from insects and disease. When we breathe in phytoncides, our body
recognizes them as foreign invaders and mounts an immune response. This response results in increased white blood cells that help fight infection and mental disorders such as depression.

Proponents of forest bathing believe that the forest environment can help to reduce stress levels, improve moods, and boost overall health. There is even some scientific evidence to support these claims. In one study, participants who took three forest baths over two days had lower cortisol levels, a stress hormone, and higher levels of natural killer cells. The participants also reported feeling more relaxed after their forest baths.

Can Walking Reduce the Stress of Wedding Planning?

The answer is: absolutely. Walking, especially in nature, allows our brain to expand its horizon and grabs information from new sources to form better conclusions. Imagine sitting in a low-ceiling room. Would you feel stuck and drained after a while? If you are feeling like you are repeating the same planning mistakes, it is best to get out and breathe fresh air. Science explains that by extending your surroundings and fixing your gaze on a higher ceiling (like mountains and skylines), your brain naturally relaxes and
thinks more creatively. When you think creatively, you can generate more unique ideas for your wedding day.

When you are walking, your body is in motion. Movements allow blood to flow throughout the body and to your heart. As a result, your heart generates more oxygen, which flows to the brain, feeding it with the energy it needs. The increased oxygen level helps the brain to function at its optimum level.

Painted Hills Oregon Engagement
photo by Karina & Maks Photography as seen in this Painted Hills Engagement Photos

Let’s go for a walk

In other words, walking can help you clear your head and think more clearly. If you are feeling stuck, a simple walk can help to jumpstart your creative juices and allow you to approach wedding planning with a rejuvenated perspective.

It’s one of the best things you can do for your body and mind. Not only will you get some exercise, but you’ll also clear your head and come back with new ideas. So the next time you feel overwhelmed choosing which flower to match the venue’s theme or the food the restaurant will serve, take a step outside and go for a walk. Don’t take our word on it. You may be surprised at how much better you feel.

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