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Truth be told, the night before your wedding is an exciting time and the odds of getting a full night’s rest is minimal. However, if you can just stop thinking about wedding suits and tiaras for just a minute, we have a few tips we’d like to share about getting at least some rest so you won’t be totally exhausted for your big day.
1. Don’t Wait Until The Night Before
Every day, soon after you wake up, go outside and get at least fifteen minutes of good quality sunlight. Even on a cloudy day, the UV rays you soak up can help to reset your circadian rhythm so your body knows when it is time to rest. This will help your body to wind down when the sun begins to set so that you are mentally and physically ready to shut down when you finally go to bed.
2. Turn Off The TV
A lot of people like falling asleep to the sound of the TV. The blue light it emits may seem subtle, but it can also disrupt your melatonin reserves, which can impact the quality of your sleep. This hormone is needed to let your body know when it is tired. Try turning off the TV and picking up a book, chatting with a friend, or some other type of relaxing activity before going to bed.
3. Create a Wind Down Routine
Prepare your body for the rest it needs. Dim the lights earlier in the evening, which will give your body the cue that the activities of the day are coming to an end and start listening to something relaxing. This will all tap into the earth’s natural way of winding down, helping your body to relax mentally and physically for a good night’s sleep.
4. Get Rid Of The Stimulants
Most people are well aware of the effects of caffeine but few are aware of many other foods and drinks that can prevent you from getting the sleep you need. In addition to avoiding t things like chocolate, tea, and soft drinks, stay away from foods like pasta, cheese, greasy, or spicy foods. All of these contain some ingredients that can interrupt normal sleep.
5. Give Up The Alcohol
When you drink alcohol, your REM phase of sleep is reduced. This type of sleep is where quality rejuvenation takes place, something you’re going to need on your wedding day. When you lose REM sleep you are more likely to experience drowsiness during your waking hours. So, chuck the alcohol and opt for a few herbal teas and non-caffeinated drinks instead. And don’t even think of having a coffee liqueur like Kahlua – which has both caffeine and alcohol.
6. Get Some Exercise
Exercise is a great stress-reducer and can help the body to relax. Start exercising a few hours before time to go to sleep and you will get more of the restorative sleep you need. Try doing some relaxing yoga poses, pilates, or stretching exercises and follow them up with a little meditation to get your mind and body both in a restful state before retiring for the night.
7. Get Some Tryptophan
Tryptophan is an amino acid that the body needs to produce more serotonin. It has a natural calming agent to help you relax without medication, which can help your brain to produce melatonin, so you can sleep better. Foods like yogurt, bananas, milk, and eggs, help you to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
8. Breathing Exercises
These exercises help slow down your breathing so your body can relax. Training your body to take long, deep breaths forces you to focus on reducing anxiety. Breathing through counts tricks the body into falling asleep quickly. You will be in a more relaxed state both mentally and physically.
By applying these tips to your routine, you should be able to get at least a few extra winks in so you’re not totally exhausted on your big day.
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